How did you first become interested in Art History?
Growing up in Mexico City, I was automatically surrounded by a vivid culture with a deep history of art. Both my parents were very much into the arts, so they always took my brother and me along with them on their excursions. Through this, I got to visit a museum almost every weekend (Mexico City alone has over 150 museums!), go to artists workshops, and experience the diverse cultures and art making practices in each state of Mexico. Because of this, I was always in some sort of studio art class, but it wasn’t until high school that I took an official art history course and fell in love with the subject. Although history has always been a big interest of mine, I was never particularly good at retaining the information or making connections. I found that learning history through art changed that entirely, especially because one is able to understand the overall feelings and reactions of a particular group of people in a particular space-time.
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If you could purchase any work of art, what would it be and why?
This is such a tough question! I think when I was younger, I would have said one of Magritte’s Empire of Light (1939 – 1967) paintings, as I was really into surrealism and loved the mystery that came with these works. Although I still think about what a whole wall of these iterations would look like, I think I would purchase Alexander Calder’s Snow Flurry (1948). His mobiles are so mesmerizing especially because of the way the subtle current of air in a room slightly moves them, making it look like each individual piece is floating. The shadows that are in turn produced seem to also be part of the work of art itself. This specific mobile of white painted sheet steel is such a meditative piece; it is almost impossible not to get lost in the soft movement of its organic shapes.
What do you hope to gain from this experience at CIMA? What have you enjoyed most at CIMA?
I love the uplifting environment that CIMA provides. Everyone is so friendly and willing to teach you something about Italian language, Italian culture, or art history. I’m looking forward to improving my Italian by talking to all the wonderful and knowledgeable people here, and learning more about Italian art history through the fellows. Being surrounded by these beautiful and interesting works of art is such a privilege and so enjoyable; it is amazing that I can take a break from work to walk around the gallery and contemplate the works.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In general, I love to read, spend time in nature, visit museums and galleries, and make sculptures with clay. I really love exploring and getting to know new places, whether it means walking around different neighbourhoods in New York or travelling someplace else.
Architecture is something I have a huge appreciation for, so reading about different built environments and the curiosity to see them in person that comes with that is one of the main determinants on where I choose to go next.
