Mexico City is experiencing a surge in artistic energy as its annual Art Week unfolds. While the broader fair calendar now includes destinations like Doha and Los Angeles, Mexico City maintains a distinct appeal for collectors and enthusiasts seeking discovery and a deep connection with a vibrant creative ecosystem. This year’s event, building on the momentum of , promises a diverse range of exhibitions and cultural experiences.
Among the highlights is Gregor Hildebrandt’s exhibition, Gilardi Lilien, currently on view at Casa Gilardi until . The show, presented by Mexico City’s Saenger Galería, features approximately 40 works created between 2005 and 2025, transforming the stylish rooms of Luis Barragán’s last commissioned residence. Hildebrandt, known for his conceptual work with analogue recording media – audio cassettes, VHS tapes, and vinyl records – explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the representation of sound, and sight.
The artist’s approach involves repurposing these outdated formats into paintings, sculptures, and large-scale installations. The exhibition includes his signature Rip-off paintings, created by transferring magnetic tape onto canvas, as well as bronze sculptures shaped like chess pieces. A cassette-shelf portrait of Barragán himself is also featured, demonstrating a direct dialogue between Hildebrandt’s work and the architecture of Casa Gilardi.
Elsewhere in the city, the Museo Tamayo is hosting Wayamou: Lenguas de lo común, running until . This two-artist exhibition centers on a conversation between Laura Anderson Barbata and Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe, an Indigenous artist from the Yanomami community. The title, wayamou, is a Yanomami word referring to a ceremonial conversation aimed at conflict resolution and maintaining peace. The exhibition highlights the cross-cultural dialogue between the two artists, who have collaborated for over three decades.
Hakihiiwe’s paintings and drawings on handmade paper depict Amazonian animals and plants, while Anderson Barbata’s work spans sculpture, textiles, and performance, addressing political, environmental, and social justice issues. The exhibition underscores the importance of understanding our relationship with the natural world and with each other.
At the Museo Universitario del Chopo, Néstor Jiménez presents One in a Million, on view until . This solo exhibition, the artist’s first at the museum, reflects on the lives of Mexico City’s working class. Jiménez’s work incorporates collages sourced from job listings, ceramic sculptures, and paintings depicting homes in mourning, exploring themes of economic hardship and social issues. The show was inspired, in part, by the artist’s personal experience of attending his father’s funeral remotely during the pandemic.
The programming at the Museo Universitario del Chopo, under the direction of chief curator Lucía Sanromán, signals a shift towards showcasing a younger generation of Mexican artists whose work responds to the country’s historical and social context. Jiménez’s exhibition, like those of Anderson Barbata and Hakihiiwe, demonstrates a commitment to engaging with contemporary issues and fostering dialogue within the local art community.
As the art world expands beyond traditional hubs, Mexico City continues to solidify its position as a vital center for cultural exchange. ZONAMACO 2026, a key event within Art Week, affirms the city’s role as a dynamic hub for exhibitions, fairs, and cultural events, attracting international collectors, curators, and artists alongside Mexico’s thriving creative community. The city’s unique blend of historical legacies, material experimentation, and technological inquiry makes it a compelling destination for those seeking a deeper understanding of contemporary art.
