Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos

press release: The past and present intertwine in Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos, or Box of Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art from Mexico in the Midwest. The exhibition features selections from MMoCA’s significant collection of Mexican modern art in a show that explores the history of the artistic renaissance in Mexico during the first half of the twentieth century and its connection to works being created by Mexican and Mexican-American artists working in the Midwest today.

The museum’s collection of Mexican modern art is one of the finest and most extensive in the Midwest and includes 223 works by over 60 artists—primarily prints, photographs, and drawings by luminaries such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Leopoldo Méndez, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo, as well as an important oil painting by Frida Kahlo.

These significant modern art works are paired with contemporary artists based the United States who address analogous themes in their work, nearly a century later, as they relay their own stories that thoughtfully address topics like the border crisis, exploited Mexican labor, and the celebration of their heritage and cultural pride. Featured works by Angelica Contreras, J. Leigh Garcia, Wence Martinez and his partner Sandra Martinez, Roberto Torres Mata, and Mauricio Ramirez reveal undeniable and impactful connections to the modern art of Mexico. Read their artist bios here.

RECEPTION: On Sept. 17, we’re delighted to invite you to a celebration of our newest exhibition, Caja de visiones: arte moderno y contemporáneo de México en el Medio Oeste de los Estados Unidos, or Box of Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art from Mexico in the Midwest. Caja de visiones features selections from the Museum’s significant collection of Mexican modern artwork, alongside work from contemporary Mexican and Mexican-American artists with connections to Wisconsin.

The Museum’s collection of Mexican modern art is one of the finest and most extensive in the Midwest and includes 223 works by over 60 artists—primarily prints, photographs, and drawings by luminaries such as Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Leopoldo Méndez, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo, as well as an important oil painting by Frida Kahlo.

The contemporary artists featured in the exhibition, Angélica Contreras, J. Leigh Garcia, Wenceslao and Sandra Martinez, Robert Torres Mata, and Mauricio Ramirez, will be providing mini gallery talks from 6-8 pm. A schedule of these talks will be provided upon arrival at the event.

The exhibition celebration is admission-free and includes live music on the Rooftop by the Richard Hildner Armacanqui Group. Armacanqui is a Peruvian-American guitarist who plays a diverse variety of Afro-Peruvian jazz music.

Member early access to the celebration begins at 5 pm and general admission starts at 6 pm. The event ends at 8 pm.

More events:

Community Cartonera Workshop, Saturday, October 16, 2021, 2-4 pm, Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Learn how to make cartoneras, small publications made with recycled and customized covers. Free Admission and supplies.

Lecture: Join us on Thursday, November 18 from 6-7 pm Central Time for Labor Migration from Mexico to the Heartland, a virtual lecture with Professor Armando Ibarra of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This virtual lecture is free. Details and registration will be found at mmoca.org. This page will be updated with registration details when available.

Presenting Sponsorship for Caja de visiones has been provided by a grant from Jan and Bill DeAtley; the Madison Community Foundation; and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Major support for Caja de Visiones has been provided by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin.