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Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos

September 18, 2021 – January 23, 2022

About

The past and present intertwine in Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos, or Box of Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art from Mexico in the Midwest. The exhibition features selections from MMoCA’s significant collection of Mexican modern art in a show that explores the history of the artistic renaissance in Mexico during the first half of the twentieth century and its connection to works being created by Mexican and Mexican-American artists working in the Midwest today.

The Museum’s collection of Mexican modern art is one of the finest and most extensive in the Midwest and includes 223 works by over 60 artists—primarily prints, photographs, and drawings by luminaries such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Leopoldo Méndez, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo, as well as an important oil painting by Frida Kahlo.

These significant modern art works are paired with contemporary artists based the United States who address analogous themes in their work, nearly a century later, as they relay their own stories that thoughtfully address topics like the border crisis, exploited Mexican labor, and the celebration of their heritage and cultural pride. Featured works by Angélica Contreras, J. Leigh Garcia, Wenceslao Martinez and his partner Sandra Martinez, Roberto Torres Mata, and Mauricio Ramirez reveal undeniable and impactful connections to the modern art of Mexico. Read their artist bios here.

ACCESSIBILITY

Exhibition labels are available in English and Spanish.


Contemporary Artwork


Programming & Events

Exhibition Celebration | Opening Reception
Friday, September 17, 2021 • 5–8 PM

Poetry Speaks: A Response to Caja de visiones
Friday, October 8, 2021 • 6:30–7:30 PM

Community Cartonera Workshop
Saturday, October 16, 2021 • 2–4 PM

Virtual Lecture: Labor Migration from Mexico to the Heartland
Thursday, November 18, 2021 • 6–7 PM

Spotlight Cinema: Identifying Features
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 • 7 PM
Film selection inspired by the exhibition

Spotlight Cinema: Identifying Features
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 • 7 PM
Film selection inspired by the exhibition

Community Cartonera Workshop
Saturday, January 22, 2022 • 1–3 PM

Guided Exhibition Tours
Saturday, January 22, 2022 • 1:30–2:30 PM


Videos

MMoCA x Mauricio Ramirez

Labor Migration from Mexico to the Heartland | Virtual Lecture with Professor Armando Ibarra


Artwork

¿Donde? / Where?. Artist: Emilio Amero. Date: 1950. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

¿Donde? / Where?

1950

Emilio Amero

Learn more about ¿Donde? / Where?.
Mujer con rebozo / Woman with Rebozo. Artist: Emilio Amero. Date: 1938. Medium: litografía en color sobre papel / color lithograph on paper.

Mujer con rebozo / Woman with Rebozo

1938

Emilio Amero

Learn more about Mujer con rebozo / Woman with Rebozo.
Chanuck. Artist: Raúl Anguiano. Date: 1951. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Chanuck

1951

Raúl Anguiano

Learn more about Chanuck.
El árbol y las montañas / Tree and Mountains. Artist: Dr.  Atl (Gerardo Murillo). Date: 1940s. Medium: esténcil sobre papel / stencil on paper.

El árbol y las montañas / Tree and Mountains

1940s

Dr. Atl (Gerardo Murillo)

Learn more about El árbol y las montañas / Tree and Mountains.
Panascos. Artist: Dr.  Atl (Gerardo Murillo). Date: undated / sin fecha. Medium: esténcil sobre papel / stencil on paper.

Panascos

undated / sin fecha

Dr. Atl (Gerardo Murillo)

Learn more about Panascos.
Camino de Coamitl (región huichol, estado de Nayarit) / Road to Coamitl (Huichol Region, State of Nayarit), from Mexican People. Artist: Ángel Bracho. Date: 1946. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Camino de Coamitl (región huichol, estado de Nayarit) / Road to Coamitl (Huichol Region, State of Nayarit), from Mexican People

1946

Ángel Bracho

Learn more about Camino de Coamitl (región huichol, estado de Nayarit) / Road to Coamitl (Huichol Region, State of Nayarit), from Mexican People.
Caja de visiones / Box of Visions. Artist: Manuel Álvarez Bravo. Date: 1938, printed 1977. Medium: plata sobre gelatina / gelatin silver print.

Caja de visiones / Box of Visions

1938, printed 1977

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

Learn more about Caja de visiones / Box of Visions.
Señor de Papantla / Man from Papantla. Artist: Manuel Álvarez Bravo. Date: 1934-35, printed 1977. Medium: plata sobre gelatina / gelatin silver print.

Señor de Papantla / Man from Papantla

1934-35, printed 1977

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

Learn more about Señor de Papantla / Man from Papantla.
Dos pares de piernas / Two Pairs of Legs. Artist: Manuel Álvarez Bravo. Date: 1928-29, printed 1977. Medium: plata sobre gelatina / gelatin silver print.

Dos pares de piernas / Two Pairs of Legs

1928-29, printed 1977

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

Learn more about Dos pares de piernas / Two Pairs of Legs.
Retrato de lo eterno / Portrait of the Eternal. Artist: Manuel Álvarez Bravo. Date: 1935, printed 1977. Medium: plata sobre gelatina / gelatin silver print.

Retrato de lo eterno / Portrait of the Eternal

1935, printed 1977

Manuel Álvarez Bravo

Learn more about Retrato de lo eterno / Portrait of the Eternal.
La mujer del rebozo rojo / Woman with Red Shawl. Artist: Celia Calderón. Date: 1953. Medium: litografía en color sobre papel / color lithograph on paper.

La mujer del rebozo rojo / Woman with Red Shawl

1953

Celia Calderón

Learn more about La mujer del rebozo rojo / Woman with Red Shawl.
La cirugía casera / Home Surgery. Artist: Julio Castellanos. Date: 1935. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

La cirugía casera / Home Surgery

1935

Julio Castellanos

Learn more about La cirugía casera / Home Surgery.
Candelabro (Oaxaca). Artist: Vita Castro. Date: sin fecha / undated. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

Candelabro (Oaxaca)

sin fecha / undated

Vita Castro

Learn more about Candelabro (Oaxaca).
Trabajando con Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, estado de Hidalgo) / Working with Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, State of Hidalgo), from Mexican People. Artist: Fernando Castro Pacheco. Date: 1946. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Trabajando con Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, estado de Hidalgo) / Working with Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, State of Hidalgo), from Mexican People

1946

Fernando Castro Pacheco

Learn more about Trabajando con Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, estado de Hidalgo) / Working with Ixtle (Valle de Mezquital, State of Hidalgo), from Mexican People.
La madre / The Mother. Artist: Fernando Castro Pacheco. Date: 1949. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

La madre / The Mother

1949

Fernando Castro Pacheco

Learn more about La madre / The Mother.
Procesión en Chalma / Procession at Chalma. Artist: Jean Charlot. Date: 1947. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Procesión en Chalma / Procession at Chalma

1947

Jean Charlot

Learn more about Procesión en Chalma / Procession at Chalma.
Alborada / Dawn. Artist: José Chávez Morado. Date: 1939. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Alborada / Dawn

1939

José Chávez Morado

Learn more about Alborada / Dawn.
Nahual en acecho / Nahual Lying in Wait. Artist: José Chávez Morado. Date: 1949. Medium: gouache y acuarela sobre papel / gouache and watercolor on paper.

Nahual en acecho / Nahual Lying in Wait

1949

José Chávez Morado

Learn more about Nahual en acecho / Nahual Lying in Wait.
Corona de hierros / Crown of Iron. Artist: José Chávez Morado. Date: 1949. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Corona de hierros / Crown of Iron

1949

José Chávez Morado

Learn more about Corona de hierros / Crown of Iron.
Tehuanas. Artist: Erasto Cortés Juárez. Date: 1945. Medium: gouache sobre papel / gouache on paper.

Tehuanas

1945

Erasto Cortés Juárez

Learn more about Tehuanas.
Río Tehuantepec / Tehuantepec River. Artist: Miguel Covarrubias. Date: 1945. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Río Tehuantepec / Tehuantepec River

1945

Miguel Covarrubias

Learn more about Río Tehuantepec / Tehuantepec River.
India de Oaxaca / An Indian Girl from Oaxaca. Artist: Lola Cueto. Date: 1938. Medium: mezzotinta sobre papel / mezzotint on paper.

India de Oaxaca / An Indian Girl from Oaxaca

1938

Lola Cueto

Learn more about India de Oaxaca / An Indian Girl from Oaxaca.
Mujer campesina / Peasant Woman. Artist: Francisco Dosamantes. Date: 1939. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Mujer campesina / Peasant Woman

1939

Francisco Dosamantes

Learn more about Mujer campesina / Peasant Woman.
Tres yayaltecas / Three Yayaltecan Women. Artist: Francisco Dosamantes. Date: 1946. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Tres yayaltecas / Three Yayaltecan Women

1946

Francisco Dosamantes

Learn more about Tres yayaltecas / Three Yayaltecan Women.
Destrucción de la cultura (Guerra) / Destruction of Culture (War). Artist: Francisco Dosamantes. Date: 1939. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Destrucción de la cultura (Guerra) / Destruction of Culture (War)

1939

Francisco Dosamantes

Learn more about Destrucción de la cultura (Guerra) / Destruction of Culture (War).
Paisaje de Tacubaya / Tacubaya Landscape. Artist: Manuel Echauri. Date: 1939. Medium: gouache sobre papel / gouache on paper.

Paisaje de Tacubaya / Tacubaya Landscape

1939

Manuel Echauri

Learn more about Paisaje de Tacubaya / Tacubaya Landscape.
La sombra / The Shadow. Artist: Jesús Escobedo. Date: 1939. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

La sombra / The Shadow

1939

Jesús Escobedo

Learn more about La sombra / The Shadow.
Mujer sentada / Seated Woman. Artist: Jesús Guerrero Galván. Date: 1951. Medium: grafito sobre papel / graphite on paper.

Mujer sentada / Seated Woman

1951

Jesús Guerrero Galván

Learn more about Mujer sentada / Seated Woman.
Niño sentado son juguete / Seated Child with Toy. Artist: Jesús Guerrero Galván. Date: 1946. Medium: óleo sobre tela / oil on canvas.

Niño sentado son juguete / Seated Child with Toy

1946

Jesús Guerrero Galván

Learn more about Niño sentado son juguete / Seated Child with Toy.
Pitahayas. Artist: Frida Kahlo. Date: 1938. Medium: óleo sobre aluminio / oil on aluminum.

Pitahayas

1938

Frida Kahlo

Learn more about Pitahayas.
Hilandera / Spinner. Artist: Guillermo Meza. Date: 1952. Medium: tinta sobre papel / ink on paper.

Hilandera / Spinner

1952

Guillermo Meza

Learn more about Hilandera / Spinner.
Figura / FIgure. Artist: Guillermo Meza. Date: 1951. Medium: tinta sobre papel / ink on paper.

Figura / FIgure

1951

Guillermo Meza

Learn more about Figura / FIgure.
Bailarina en reposo / Dancer Resting. Artist: Roberto Montenegro. Date: 1930s. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Bailarina en reposo / Dancer Resting

1930s

Roberto Montenegro

Learn more about Bailarina en reposo / Dancer Resting.
Gruta / Grotto. Artist: Roberto Montenegro. Date: 1954. Medium: gouache y acuarela con grafito sobre papel / gouache and watercolor with graphite on paper.

Gruta / Grotto

1954

Roberto Montenegro

Learn more about Gruta / Grotto.
Pequeña maestra, ¡qué inmensa es su voluntad! / Little School Teacher, How Great is Your Will!, from Río Escondido. Artist: Leopoldo Méndez. Date: 1948. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

Pequeña maestra, ¡qué inmensa es su voluntad! / Little School Teacher, How Great is Your Will!, from Río Escondido

1948

Leopoldo Méndez

Learn more about Pequeña maestra, ¡qué inmensa es su voluntad! / Little School Teacher, How Great is Your Will!, from Río Escondido.
Deportación a la muerte / Deportation to Death. Artist: Leopoldo Méndez. Date: 1942. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

Deportación a la muerte / Deportation to Death

1942

Leopoldo Méndez

Learn more about Deportación a la muerte / Deportation to Death.
El mercado (Cuautla, estado de Morelos) / The Market (Cuautla, State of Morelos), from Mexican People. Artist: Pablo O’Higgins. Date: 1946. Medium: litografia en color sobre papel / color lithograph on paper.

El mercado (Cuautla, estado de Morelos) / The Market (Cuautla, State of Morelos), from Mexican People

1946

Pablo O’Higgins

Learn more about El mercado (Cuautla, estado de Morelos) / The Market (Cuautla, State of Morelos), from Mexican People.
Alfarero (distrito de Chanenetla, Puebla, estado de Puebla) / Pottery Maker (Chanenetla District, Puebla, State of Puebla), from Mexican People. Artist: Isidoro Ocampo. Date: 1946. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Alfarero (distrito de Chanenetla, Puebla, estado de Puebla) / Pottery Maker (Chanenetla District, Puebla, State of Puebla), from Mexican People

1946

Isidoro Ocampo

Learn more about Alfarero (distrito de Chanenetla, Puebla, estado de Puebla) / Pottery Maker (Chanenetla District, Puebla, State of Puebla), from Mexican People.
Retrato de Gabriela / Portrait of Gabriela. Artist: Carlos  Orozco Romero. Date: 1934. Medium: aguafuerte sobre papel / etching on paper.

Retrato de Gabriela / Portrait of Gabriela

1934

Carlos Orozco Romero

Learn more about Retrato de Gabriela / Portrait of Gabriela.
Inditos / Indians. Artist: José Clemente  Orozco. Date: 1929. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Inditos / Indians

1929

José Clemente Orozco

Learn more about Inditos / Indians.
La retaguardia / Rear Guard. Artist: José Clemente  Orozco. Date: 1929. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

La retaguardia / Rear Guard

1929

José Clemente Orozco

Learn more about La retaguardia / Rear Guard.
Réquiem / Requiem. Artist: José Clemente  Orozco. Date: 1928. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Réquiem / Requiem

1928

José Clemente Orozco

Learn more about Réquiem / Requiem.
Dos fanáticos (Ripalda) / Two Fanatics (Ripalda). Artist: Gonzalo de la Paz Pérez. Date: c. 1935. Medium: grabado en madera a fibra sobre papel / woodcut on paper.

Dos fanáticos (Ripalda) / Two Fanatics (Ripalda)

c. 1935

Gonzalo de la Paz Pérez

Learn more about Dos fanáticos (Ripalda) / Two Fanatics (Ripalda).
La locomotora (portada de librete de canciones) / The Locomotive (songbook cover). Artist: José Guadalupe Posada. Date: 1890s (20th-century restrike). Medium: grabado en relieve de metal sobre papel / metal-plate relief print on paper.

La locomotora (portada de librete de canciones) / The Locomotive (songbook cover)

1890s (20th-century restrike)

José Guadalupe Posada

Learn more about La locomotora (portada de librete de canciones) / The Locomotive (songbook cover).
Los siete vicios capitales / The Seven Deadly Sins. Artist: José Guadalupe Posada. Date: c. 1900 (20th-century restrike). Medium: grabado en relieve de metal sobre papel / metal-plate relief print on paper.

Los siete vicios capitales / The Seven Deadly Sins

c. 1900 (20th-century restrike)

José Guadalupe Posada

Learn more about Los siete vicios capitales / The Seven Deadly Sins.
En el Mezquital / In the Mezquital. Artist: Fanny Rabel. Date: 1954. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

En el Mezquital / In the Mezquital

1954

Fanny Rabel

Learn more about En el Mezquital / In the Mezquital.
Escuela al aire libre / Open Air School. Artist: Diego Rivera. Date: 1932. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Escuela al aire libre / Open Air School

1932

Diego Rivera

Learn more about Escuela al aire libre / Open Air School.
Niño y perro / Boy and Dog. Artist: Diego Rivera. Date: 1932. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Niño y perro / Boy and Dog

1932

Diego Rivera

Learn more about Niño y perro / Boy and Dog.
Desnudo con pelo largo (Dolores Olmedo) / Nude with Long Hair (Dolores Olmedo). Artist: Diego Rivera. Date: 1930. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Desnudo con pelo largo (Dolores Olmedo) / Nude with Long Hair (Dolores Olmedo)

1930

Diego Rivera

Learn more about Desnudo con pelo largo (Dolores Olmedo) / Nude with Long Hair (Dolores Olmedo).
Autorretrato / Self-Portrait. Artist: Diego Rivera. Date: 1930. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Autorretrato / Self-Portrait

1930

Diego Rivera

Learn more about Autorretrato / Self-Portrait.
Retrato de Moisés Sáenz / Portrait of Moisés Sáenz. Artist: David Alfaro Siqueiros. Date: 1931. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Retrato de Moisés Sáenz / Portrait of Moisés Sáenz

1931

David Alfaro Siqueiros

Learn more about Retrato de Moisés Sáenz / Portrait of Moisés Sáenz.
Cabeza II (Pesar) / Head II (Grief). Artist: Rufino Tamayo. Date: c. 1926-28. Medium: grabado en madera a fibra sobre papel / woodcut on paper.

Cabeza II (Pesar) / Head II (Grief)

c. 1926-28

Rufino Tamayo

Learn more about Cabeza II (Pesar) / Head II (Grief).
Hombre con maguey / Man with Maguey. Artist: Rufino Tamayo. Date: c. 1926-30. Medium: grabado en linóleo o grabado de madera a fibra sobre papel / linocut or woodcut on paper.

Hombre con maguey / Man with Maguey

c. 1926-30

Rufino Tamayo

Learn more about Hombre con maguey / Man with Maguey.
Inspiración / Inspiration. Artist: José Moreno Villa. Date: 1937. Medium: grafumo on paper / grafumo sobre papel.

Inspiración / Inspiration

1937

José Moreno Villa

Learn more about Inspiración / Inspiration.
Autorretrato / Self-Portrait. Artist: Pancho Vásquez. Date: 1947. Medium: aguafuerte y aguatinta sobre papel / etching and aquatint on paper.

Autorretrato / Self-Portrait

1947

Pancho Vásquez

Learn more about Autorretrato / Self-Portrait.
Aserradores (Ciudad del Carmen, estado de Campeche) / Lumber Workers (Ciudad del Carmen, State of Campeche), from Mexican People. Artist: Alfredo Zalce. Date: 1946. Medium: litografía sobre papel / lithograph on paper.

Aserradores (Ciudad del Carmen, estado de Campeche) / Lumber Workers (Ciudad del Carmen, State of Campeche), from Mexican People

1946

Alfredo Zalce

Learn more about Aserradores (Ciudad del Carmen, estado de Campeche) / Lumber Workers (Ciudad del Carmen, State of Campeche), from Mexican People.
Bordadora tehuana / Tehuana Embroiderer. Artist: Ángel Zamarripa. Date: sin fecha / undated. Medium: grabado en linóleo sobre papel / linocut on paper.

Bordadora tehuana / Tehuana Embroiderer

sin fecha / undated

Ángel Zamarripa

Learn more about Bordadora tehuana / Tehuana Embroiderer.
Peregrinos (Regresando al cerro) / Pilgrims (Return to the Mount). Artist: Abelardo Ávila. Date: 1940. Medium: grabado en madera de pie sobre papel / wood engraving on paper.

Peregrinos (Regresando al cerro) / Pilgrims (Return to the Mount)

1940

Abelardo Ávila

Learn more about Peregrinos (Regresando al cerro) / Pilgrims (Return to the Mount).

Exhibition Catalogue

Front cover of the Caja de visiones exhibition catalogue.

Published in conjunction with the exhibition, Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos, or Box of Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art from Mexico in the Midwest, features selections from the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s (MMoCA) significant collection of Mexican modern art in a show that explores the history of the artistic renaissance in Mexico during the first half of the twentieth century and its connection to works being created by Mexican and Mexican-American artists working in the Midwest today.

This richly illustrated catalog features the museum’s collection of Mexican modern art, which is one of the finest and most extensive in the Midwest and includes 223 works by over 60 artists—primarily prints, photographs, and drawings by luminaries such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Leopoldo Méndez, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo, as well as an important oil painting by Frida Kahlo.

These significant modern art works are paired with contemporary artists based in the United States who address analogous themes in their work, nearly a century later, as they relay their own stories that thoughtfully address topics like the border crisis, exploited Mexican labor, and the celebration of their heritage and cultural pride. Featured works by Angélica Contreras, J. Leigh Garcia, Wenceslao Martinez and his partner Sandra Martinez, Roberto Torres Mata, and Mauricio Ramirez reveal undeniable and impactful connections to the modern art of Mexico.

Including essays by the organizing curator Diane Milliotes and MMoCA Assistant Curator Elizabeth Shoshany Anderson as well as a foreword by Mel Becker Solomon, the catalogue was designed by Art & Sons.


Press

two people looking artwork on the wall
Photo by Carol Casimir.

Press Coverage

MMoCA presents “Caja de visiones,” modern and contemporary art from Mexico in the Midwest
Madison365


Support

Presenting Sponsorship for Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos has been provided by Jan and Bill DeAtley; the Madison Community Foundation; and the National Endowment for the Arts. Major support has been provided by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin.