Something I have come to appreciate about Mexico is the diversity of the art on display here. From some of Diego Rivera’s most evocative murals to painstakingly handcrafted Aztec relics, it is obvious that the art scene in Mexico has only flourished with time. This especially benefits the people today, as many of us can come to Mexico to admire this important aspect of Mexican culture.
Moreover, the art here is not only beautiful but also informative in the way it hints at the circumstances in which the artists (or even the artists’ subjects) lived during the time the art was created. For example, the Aztec calendar stone on display at the Aztec exhibit in El Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City served not only as a way for the Aztec people to tell time but also as a tribute to the solar deity and leader of heaven, Tonatiuh. On the other hand, you have works such as Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits– images that capture both the artist’s emotions and pride in her country through symbolism and explicit imagery.
Music in Mexico City also serves as a way to reconcile old and new artistic styles. Street music, in particular, comes in a variety of forms. Walking to UP, I always encounter street musicians playing clarinets, trumpets, violins and other instruments– some of which could be dated back to colonial times. And although the sounds produced are not always harmonious, they go to show how music (like paintings and other art styles) reminds us of how Mexican culture has changed over time.
Aztec Calendar @ El Museo Nacional de Antropología