Eight exhibitions that showed design's growing relevance at Mexico City art week
From ingenious sofa-rugs by Sabine Marcelis to an exhibition about waste in architecture and Mexican architects showing furniture in a modernist house, here are eight design-forward exhibitions from Mexico City art week.
With a growing design section at anchor fair Zona Maco and the world-class architectural pedigree of the city, it's no wonder that architecture and design have become more and more prominent during the week.
Here, we look at the stand-out exhibitions, from the conceptual to the chic.
Read on for more.
Fragmentos de Mar by Studio Davidpompa
Local outfit Studio Davidpompa renewed its collaboration with restaurant Contramar for an immersive exhibition showcasing the process that went into its lights made with discarded shells from seafood, accumulated over six months.
The lights add a sense of materiality and local supply to Studio Davidpompa's minimalist design, and feature high-gloss aluminium fixings that pleasantly contrast the aggregate.
The studio capped off the collaboration with a party that featured live ceviche making, cohosted by Dezeen.
Find out more about Fragmentos de Mar ›
Roll by Sabine Marcelis for CC-Tapis
Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis worked with Italian textile company CC-Tapis to create Roll, a rug with a fibreglass volume on one side that makes it function like a sofa.
Marcelis, who commented on the "subtle irony" of the piece, showcased the pieces in a 1970s house by modernist architect Agustín Hernández. Three earth-toned versions were draped over the elegant stone-and-wood platforms of the house.
The Resident by Lee Broom at Diez Company
British designer Lee Broom made his Mexico City debut with a solo show at local lighting outfit Diez Company, further emphasising the international bona fides of the week.
For the Resident showcase, Broom decked out the Polanco mansion that hosts Diez Company's showroom. A range of the designer's lighting designs filled the space, with many of them outfitted in new finishes for the exhibition.
Find out more about The Resident ›
Azul y Verde by Lanza Atelier at Ago Projects
Fresh off an announcement that Lanza Atelier had received this year's prestigious Serpentine Pavilion commission, the studio returned to gallery Ago Projects for its second solo show in the skyscraper space in the central Avenida Paseo de la Reforma.
Leaning on its wide material range in architectural work, Lanza Atelier showcased furniture in metal, wood, and glass. The pieces emphasised perspectival shifts and uncanny mixes of material, highlighting the pieces that make a whole.
Find out more about Azul y Verde ›
Reuse: Architectures of Almost Nothing
Curators María Muñoz and Edgar Rodríguez used the wide spaces of the factory-turned-artspace Laguna – designed by architecture studio Productora – to showcase conceptual installations. Fifteen cutting-edge international architecture studios took part.
Based on an essay written by Rodriguez, the exhibition featured cars turned into benches, pavilions made out of windshields, and much more.
Find out more about Reuse: Architectures of Almost Nothing ›
Inner Stage by Studio 84 and Unno Gallery
Local gallery Studio 84 worked with Unno Gallery to stage an exhibition of collectible design and tapestries at the modernist Escuela del Ballet Folklórico de México.
Works by Italian glass company 6AM featured among CC-Tapis tapestries in the entry atrium, while highly stylised pieces by designers such as Alana Burns were placed, under spotlights, on the ballet stage in the theatre below.
Find out more about Inner Stage ›
Nomadic design showcase Unique Design X returned to Mexico City for its third edition, bringing with it a range of international designers and galleries.
Stand-out pieces included a jukebox by French music collective Radiooooo, which plays songs based on time and place on knobs and a touch screen, as well as a furniture collection by local designer Esteban Tamayo Ramos.
Find out more about Unique Design X ›
Mexican design gallery Omet released its fourth collection of dedicated pieces, some of which were designed by well-known contemporary Mexican architects such as Tatiana Bilbao, Fernanda Canales and Omet founder Lorena Vieyra.
Arrayed in the open living room of modernist architect Francisco Artigas' Casa Locken, the showcase featured mixed materials, with a desk by Canales and a chaise lounge with monumental stone legs by Vieyra taking the show.
Find out more about Omet at Casa Locken ›
Mexico City art week took place across the city primarily from 2 to 9 February, with some extended dates. Find out more about global events in architecture and design at Dezeen Events Guide.