CDMX: Art and Design (Re)Construct a City | SU25 Faculty-Led
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 19 (Week 9) at 1pm PST
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The story of Mexico City is often told as a series of cataclysms and ruptures - Conquest, Revolutions, earthquakes, and modern development. But it is also a city of layers where time intermingles. Through this program, students will explore how art and everyday life offer windows for looking across time. How can the experience of moving through a city help one understand what changes over time as well as what persists? How can speaking with local artists and artisans show the city as a lived practice and site of intervention? And how can the ongoing life of the city be recruited in new visions of the future?
Selected students will spend the Summer 2025 term at ArtCenter preparing for their visit through a course oriented towards the historical context of the sites we will visit. Following the summer term preparation, students will travel to Mexico City during the Summer 2025 break, experiencing its art, design, and culture firsthand. We will visit museums, galleries, and important cultural sites. Students will keep a notebook with their research, findings, drawings, photographs, with the expectation that they can demonstrate how this new knowledge will impact their creative practice. These impressions will inform work produced in artist-led workshops during the visit to Mexico City. Students will also have some built in free time to explore the city with their peers.
SUMMER 2025 COURSE DESCRIPTION
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The story of Mexico City is often told as a series of cataclysms and ruptures - Conquest, Revolutions, earthquakes, and modern development. But it is also a city of layers where time intermingles. Through this program, students will explore how art and everyday life offer windows for looking across time. How can the experience of moving through a city help one understand what changes over time as well as what persists? How can speaking with local artists and artisans show the city as a lived practice and site of intervention? And how can the ongoing life of the city be recruited in new visions of the future?
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Gain first hand exposure to the international world of art, design, and craft;
Develop cultural literacy about the complex historical and creative contexts of Mexico and Latin America, critically reflecting on colonial legacies and Indigenous frameworks;
Think critically about how social, historical, and economic conditions inform the life of the city, the experience of travel, and the world of art and design;
Learn about Mexico City, its history, and its creative traditions through multiple disciplines and in dialogue with students and faculty from a variety of ArtCenter departments.
FACULTY LEADERS
Robert Kett is an anthropologist and curator and Associate Professor in ArtCenter’s Humanities & Sciences department. His research and exhibitions have examined the history of archaeology in Mexico, material culture and traditions of everyday making, and the place of Latin America and Indigenous peoples in the history of design. His interest in Mexico City all started when he studied abroad there as an undergraduate himself.
Pau S. Pescador is a trans-fem nonbinary artist and filmmaker. She produces films, performances, and photographs that use colorful and playful materials and everyday objects to explore personal relationships and her experiences navigating the world in a trans Latinx body. Her interest in teaching this course comes out of a continuation of investment in Mexico City as a metropolitan site and its ever prominent contemporary art and design.
HOUSING DETAILS
Hotel details are pending. However, you will likely be staying in the Roma Norte neighborhood of the city, which is part of the Cuauhtémoc borough. Roma Norte is known for its plentiful restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Exploring the neighborhood’s beautiful architecture is the perfect thing to do with a little down time.
ABOUT MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Mexico City, the vibrant capital of Mexico, is a bustling metropolis rich in history, culture, and creativity. With a population of over 20 million, it stands as one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the world. The city’s art and design scene is a blend of historical traditions and contemporary innovation.
Historically, Mexico City was built upon the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, and this deep heritage influences its modern cultural landscape. The city boasts a wealth of museums and galleries, including the Museo Frida Kahlo, Museo Nacional de Arte, and Museo Tamayo, which celebrate both traditional and modern Mexican art.
In terms of design, Mexico City is renowned for its colorful murals, vibrant street art, and innovative architectural projects. The works of Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, prominent figures in the Mexican Muralism movement, adorn public spaces and continue to inspire. Contemporary designers and artists in Mexico City blend traditional motifs with modern techniques, creating a unique fusion that reflects the city's dynamic spirit.
From its bustling markets and historic neighborhoods to its cutting-edge design studios and art collectives, Mexico City is a testament to the creativity and cultural richness of Mexico.