Exploring the Interplay of Art, Nature, and Social Critique
Art Studio 244, located in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City, is hosting an intriguing collective exhibition titled “Mímesis: The Visions of Art in Nature.” This exhibition brings together fifteen artists with diverse perspectives and techniques, ranging from silver sculptures to digital installations. Curated by María Ángeles Chávez “Mar,” the show offers a contemporary look at mímesis as an ethical and symbiotic tool for reflection.
The Artists
- Alkistis Athanasiadou
- Beatriz Canfield
- Boris Viskin – A prominent figure in the art world, his work critiques social idolatry and power narratives.
- Delia González
- Francesca Dalla Benetta
- Juan San Juan
- Jeannette Betancourt
- Livma Zacarias
- Luigi Fantini
- María José Romero
- Mónica Deutsch
- Antonio Uvalle
- Vanessa García Lembo
- Yupica
- Mar (Curator)
Boris Viskin’s Artistic Perspective
Boris Viskin (Mexico City, 1960) emphasizes the human aspect rather than nature as a backdrop. His work, “El crepúsculo de los ídolos,” critiques social idolatry and power narratives using schoolboy prints as a medium. Viskin’s art, seemingly innocent at first glance, reveals layers of irony, critique, and symbolic resistance.
His art resonates strongly amidst geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. In this context, Viskin’s art not only subverts reality but also compels viewers to reconsider it through its fractures.
Mímesis: A Contemporary Quest for Connection
Mar reinterprets the classical concept of mímesis as “imitation of nature” through an ethical and ecological lens. She emphasizes connecting with the inner rhythm, fragility, and strength of nature rather than faithfully reproducing it.
Mar’s artwork embodies this symbiotic tension, with a female figure emerging from water, sky, and branches, symbolizing a human-nature connection. Her painting is not an individual portrait but a collective mirror, promoting reconciliation with what has been lost—intuition, cycles, and belonging.
Delia González’s Silver Sculptures
Delia González (Taxco, Guerrero) creates silver sculptures that engage in an intimate dialogue with the organic. Her hyperrealistic yet symbolic aesthetic, combined with her conscious approach to crafting, establishes a deep connection with nature.
González’s work celebrates materiality and honors the artistic responsibility towards the environment. By carefully managing acids and ensuring safe disposal, she demonstrates her commitment to the earth.
Yupica’s Digital and Spiritual Exploration
Yupica (Tokyo, 1982) navigates the intersection of nature, digital elements, and spirituality. His work visualizes generative networks where nature, humans, artificial intelligence, and matter intertwine.
Inspired by Eastern visions and rituals, Yupica’s installations combine rice, resin, and video to create an atmosphere where bodies dissolve and identities are reconfigured.
Mónica Deutsch’s Visceral Connection with Nature
Mónica Deutsch (Mexico City, 1964) establishes a visceral bond with nature through the body as territory.
Her work collects and transforms waste materials—earth, bone, metal—into artifacts of memory and survival. Deutsch’s art is deeply personal, reminding us that resistance can emerge from the smallest things.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main theme of the exhibition? The exhibition explores the relationship between art, nature, and social critique.
- Who are the artists featured in this exhibition? The artists include Alkistis Athanasiadou, Beatriz Canfield, Boris Viskin, Delia González, Francesca Dalla Benetta, Juan San Juan, Jeannette Betancourt, Livma Zacarias, Luigi Fantini, María José Romero, Mónica Deutsch, Antonio Uvalle, Vanessa García Lembo, Yupica, and curator Mar.
- What is the significance of Boris Viskin’s work? Viskin’s art critiques social idolatry and power narratives using schoolboy prints, revealing layers of irony, critique, and symbolic resistance.
- How does Mar reinterpret the concept of mímesis? Mar reinterprets mímesis as an ethical and ecological tool for connection, emphasizing inner rhythm, fragility, and strength of nature.
- What is Delia González’s approach to her silver sculptures? González creates hyperrealistic yet symbolic silver sculptures that engage in an intimate dialogue with the organic, celebrating materiality and environmental responsibility.
- What does Yupica’s work explore? Yupica’s installations visualize generative networks where nature, humans, artificial intelligence, and matter intertwine, inspired by Eastern visions and rituals.
- How does Mónica Deutsch connect with nature? Deutsch establishes a visceral bond with nature through the body as territory, transforming waste materials into artifacts of memory and survival.
About Art Studio 244
Founded by Alejandra Munguía, Art Studio 244 (Tonalá 244, Roma Sur) is a Mexico City-based art space with a deep love for dance and various artistic disciplines. The studio serves as an alternative space, free from traditional formats yet maintaining high artistic quality.
