Background and Relevance of Mathias Goeritz
Mathias Goeritz, a prominent Mexican artist and one of the most influential “total artists” the country has ever known, established Museo Experimental El Eco in 1953. His vision was to bridge the gap between his patron’s commercial interests and the avant-garde cultural spirit of the latter half of the 20th century.
Goeritz’s Vision and the “Manifiesto de Arquitectura Emocional”
Goeritz’s manifesto, “Manifiesto de Arquitectura Emocional,” outlined his approach to the museum’s design. He aimed for an architecture that prioritized emotion over traditional functions, integrating art in a natural and non-overlapping manner rather than merely displaying it as an afterthought.
“El nuevo Museo Experimental El Eco empieza sus actividades, es decir sus experimentos, con la obra arquitectónica de su propio edificio. Esta obra fue comprendida como ejemplo de una arquitectura cuya principal función es la emoción”, declaró el artista al inicio de su manifiesto.
He further explained, “En el experimento de El Eco la integración plástica no fue comprendida como un programa, sino en un sentido absolutamente natural. No se trataba de sobreponer cuadros o esculturas al edificio, como se suele hacer con los carteles del cine o con las alfombras colocadas desde los balcones de los palacios, sino había que comprender el espacio arquitectónico como elemento escultórico grande, sin caer en el romanticismo de Gaudí o en el neoclasicismo vacío alemán o italiano”.
Evolution of El Eco
Over the decades, El Eco transformed from an experimental museum to a restaurant, nightclub, theater, and even a venue for political activities. In 2004, the UNAM acquired the building and undertook extensive restoration efforts. El Eco was reopened as a museum in 2005, resuming its original mission.
Exhibitions and Artists
Since its reopening, El Eco has showcased the works of numerous artists including Mathias Goeritz himself, Ricardo Rendón, Gabriela Gutiérrez Ovalle, Georgina Bringas, Karina Peisajovich, Mariana Castillo Deball, Pablo Rasgado, Guillermo Santamarina, Iván Krassoievitch, and Beatriz Zamora. The museum has been a platform for artistic exploration and dialogue, fostering the coexistence of modern, contemporary, and boundary-pushing artistic practices.
Declaration as a Cultural Monument
On August 6, 2023, the Museo Experimental El Eco took a significant step towards becoming an officially recognized cultural monument in Mexico. Following the publication in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL) will issue a decree declaring El Eco as a Monumento Artístico.
This recognition ensures that El Eco is safeguarded by the Mexican state for its artistic value, providing legal and physical protection. The UNAM, which currently manages the museum, has 15 business days to present any relevant arguments or evidence to support this declaration process.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Museo Experimental El Eco? An experimental museum established by Mathias Goeritz in 1953, dedicated to showcasing contemporary artistic exploration.
- Who was Mathias Goeritz? A significant Mexican artist and one of the most influential “total artists,” known for his visionary approach to merging commercial interests with avant-garde cultural ideals.
- What is the significance of El Eco becoming a Monumento Artístico? This recognition ensures the preservation and protection of El Eco’s artistic, architectural, and cultural value for future generations.
- What does the declaration process entail? Following the DOF publication, the UNAM has 15 business days to submit any relevant arguments or evidence supporting El Eco’s designation as a Monumento Artístico.
