Dezeen Magazine

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Travelling gallery Masa is staging an exhibition of pieces in a 20th-century castle

Masa exhibition in Mexico City castle "celebrates contradiction"

A curving metal streamer, mirrored room screen and bulbous fibre chandelier are among the objects in an exhibition hosted by travelling gallery Masa in Mexico City.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover/Uncover exhibits a mixture of furniture, lighting and sculptures across the property

Recover/Uncover showcases furniture, lighting and sculptures with contrasting elements from designers such as Misha Kahn, Masa co-founder Hector Esrawe and Rooms.

The show exhibits a mix of commissioned works and limited-edition pieces, which the gallery said can't be sorted into a defining archetype or category.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
A ribbon-like metal sculpture by Masa co-founder Hector Esrawe's hangs over a decorative wooden staircase

"Masa celebrates contradiction as a reflection of the ongoing process of becoming and self-definition – presenting objects as tools for living, contemplation and, most of all, reconciliation," Masa said.

"The pieces in Recover/Uncover exist along a spectrum of indeterminates rather than at a stasis, defying strict archetypes in favour of an ongoing exploration of purpose and expression."

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
This chrome mirror by VIDIVIXI divides the room, while also making it appear larger

Masa is hosting the show inside a castle located in Mexico City's San Miguel Chapultepec neighbourhood, built by the German Royals in the early 20th century. Its architectural features include a round turret on its stone exterior, brick walls and dark wood on the panelling, framing and columns inside.

The castle marks the second location for the travelling gallery after it launched last year with an exhibition inside a 1970s house in Mexico City.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Also displayed is a woven chandelier by Misha Kahn that uses fibres, nature debris and balloon-like glass sculptures

As with the inaugural show, the objects are dispersed around the castle. Some rest on plinths while others are fixed to the walls and ceilings of the historic interior.

Esrawe's looping ribbon-like metal sculpture hangs over the castle's decorative wood stairwell by attaching to the ceiling and adjacent wall.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
A bench designed by Tbilisi studio Rooms comprises a row of black U-shaped seats

Mexico City collective VIDIVIXI has designed a screen fronted with a chrome mirror that divides a room, while also appearing to expand it through its reflective surface.

Other objects inside the gallery include a light fixture by American designer Misha Kahn and a wood bench by Tbilisi studio Rooms.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Perla Krauze has filled a room with discarded materials, such as cracked stones and incised cutting mats

Kahn's woven chandelier combines fibres, nature debris and billowing glass sculptures. The bench comprises black U-shaped seats connected to one another at their sides.

A full-room installation by Perla Krauze makes use of discarded materials, such as cracked stones and incised cutting mats.

Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover/Uncover also showcases several pieces outdoors, such as these chairs constructed from rocks by Mario García

The exhibition extends outside where a number of sculptures occupy the grassy lawn, including a circular formation of keystones by Adeline de Monseignat and chairs constructed from rocks by Mario García.

Esrawe launched Masa in 2019 with art curator Cristobal Riestra, curator Age Salajõe and designer Brian Thoreen, along with Roberto Diaz Sesma and Isaac Bissu. Recover/Uncover was co-curated with Su Wu.

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Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA
Recover Uncover Exhibition at MASA