Usually, the main reason to go see art around here is to get free drinks and then go to the after-party. Tequila and mezcal companies actually sponsor art events. So, I was a bit disappointed when there wasn't any booze left at the El Eco museum's latest opening. I went inside the main gallery space with no prior knowledge of the artists, no buzz, and no expectations.
The dark room was carpeted and there were rows of unique living-room chairs facing a free-standing, monolithic screen. The projected movie was shot on 35mm film with a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio.
The 24-minute piece portrays a rhythmic, non-narrative portrait of the surrealistic castle called Las Pozas in the jungle near San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The nonsensical temples and sculptures were conceived and built by British poet Edward James from 1949 until his death in 1984.
The film's continuing visual motif is a mirror passing through the frame carried by the castle's gardeners. This simple intervention allows us to see two points of view simultaneously. The effect is confusing but appropriate for this puzzling, surreal site.I walked out of the museum wanting to know more about this mysterious castle, more about the filmmakers, and more about how this piece came to exist. Simply put, I was flattened. The film is able to document Las Pozas in a way that captures its spirit and spontaneity. And the installation of the piece activates the architecture of El Eco, putting these two buildings in conversation. Too many synapses!
Xilitla: incidents of misalignment was the result of a collaboration between artists Melanie Smith and Rafael Ortega. Now on view at El Eco.
-PJ
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