This is the last week to see “Everything Gets Lighter,” a collection of works by 66 international artists that explores physical and poetic evocations of light. Notably, the exhibit’s name was inspired by the poem Everyone Gets Lighter by John Giorno, who read his work at Museo Jumex two decades ago.
Mexico City’s Museo Jumex organized this exhibit to celebrate its tenth anniversary, bringing in Lisa Phillips—the Director of the New Museum in New York—as guest curator. Philips arranged a series of works spanning between 1961 and 2023, with mediums ranging from found objects to sculptures to paintings. Highlights include works by James Turrell, Jenny Holzer, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, and Feliz Gonzalez-Torres.
Doug Aitken, “Passenger,” 1997, La Colección Jumex, México © Doug Aitken, courtesy of the artist.
The exhibit can be thought of as a sort of counterweight to the existential threats that surround us. Phillips remarked, “At the moment our world is under enormous pressure, but we continue to take solace in the healing power of light and in the recognition of the ultimate impermanence and immateriality of life. The artists in this show have given us plenty to ponder, from experiments in pure light to meditations on reflections, shadows, and luminosity.
James Turrell, “Spenta Mainyu” (Wedgework series), 2019 La Colección Jumex, México, © James Turrell, photo by Florian Holzherr.
Dan Flavin, “monument” for V. Tatlin, 1967, La Colección Jumex, México.
Ana Mendieta, “On Giving Life,” 1973, La Colección Jumex, México.
