The function of a curator is, in part, to raise some questions, even to resolve them, but, in the simplest way, we can say that a curator tells stories. Aire Fresco En El Verano Del Amor is an exhibition organized by Abraham Cruzvillegas for Campeche, and although the artist does not consider himself a curator, with this group show he tells the story of each of the participants, of contemporary art in Mexico, and even his own story.
Throughout his career Cruzvillegas has participated in different group exhibitions, such as Aire Fresco En El Verano Del Amor, an exhibition curated by Guillermo Santamarina in 1987, from which the name is taken and echoes the past, not only of the artist, but also the past of the city's art scene. In addition to his artistic practice, Cruzvillegas has also dedicated himself to teaching, he has been a professor at the Escuela Nacional de Escultura, Pintura y Grabado "La Esmeralda" in Mexico City, and at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, which is why in this group show the work of Sarah Konté, Eun Sol Lee, Sofía Bonilla or Milana Gabriel, who were his students in Paris, is exhibited. Also included are works by other artists such as Mónica Herrera, Abraham González Pacheco or Salvador Xharicata whom Cruzvillegas met through friends, in "La esmeralda", in meetings and in random ways, and in whom he found a colleague, but also a friend.
Cruzvillegas comments that this is not a simple exhibition, but the result of a life project: "For me this is a manifesto of friendship that takes the form of an exhibition", which becomes evident once we get to know each of the works that make up the exhibition. Fresh Air In The Summer Of Love. At first glance it seems that there is no obvious common thread between works and artists: they come from different nationalities, each one uses different formats and techniques, they do not share the same theme or create from the same concerns, however, all of them are united by friendship, affection and admiration for Cruzvillegas.
The artists participating in this exhibition are Abraham González Pacheco, Abraham Julian Togar, Alejandra Avilés, Andrés Garay, Ángel Marcano, Anousha Mohtashami, Ayako Sakuragi, Bayo Álvaro, Eun Sol Lee, Gabriel Moraes Aquino, Guillermo Santamarina, Javier Carro, Gustavo Rodríguez Valtierra, Marcela Calderón Bony, Milana Gabriel, Mónica Herrera, Salvador Xharicata, Obed Calixto, Rita Ponce de León, Sofía Bonilla Otoya, Sarah Konté and Wayzatta Fernández.
Aire Fresco En El Verano Del Amor (Fresh Air In The Summer Of Love) is presented until October 21, 2023 at Campeche GalleryCampeche 130, Roma Sur.