The 20th century in Mexico was a period of vibrant artistic and architectural experimentation. This era marked the establishment of the Modern Movement, bringing with it innovative ideologies that nurtured new talent and shaped the frameworks of artistic and architectural production.
For many years, architects worked as multidisciplinary designers, creating both spaces and furniture under a single, cohesive vision. Yet despite this, some of these pieces have faded into obscurity, overshadowed by major architectural works and the fast pace of modern life, where mass-produced furniture renders these unique designs invisible.
This inspired the creation of 'Clásicos Mexicanos' (Mexican Classics), a project dedicated to rescuing domestic modern design. The initiative seeks to recover objects that forged Mexico's modern identity and reintroduce them to contemporary spaces, featuring works by prominent architects, artists, and designers such as Ricardo Legorreta, Mathias Goeritz, and Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, among others. This recovery process relies on original blueprints, surviving physical pieces, collaborations with the original creators, interviews with their families and friends, and archival research.
Each of the 'Clásicos Mexicanos' pieces serves as a testament to the history of Mexican design, bringing the work of key modernists back into contemporary spaces and, ultimately, daily life. Backed by historical research that contextualizes their design language, every piece comes with a certificate of authenticity and is featured in exhibition catalogs published periodically by the project.
Gala Chair / Agustín Hernández
Chair for 'El Eco' / Mathias Goeritz
Equipal / Pedro Ramírez Vázquez
Vallarta Collection / Ricardo Legorreta
Mexico Chair / Diego Matthai
Cofrán Collection / Armando Franco
Tulum Chair / Po Shun Leong
Mezquitic Collection / Roberto Eibenschutz
'Clásicos Mexicanos' is led by art historian Aldo Solano Rojas—a specialist in modern Mexican furniture who serves as exhibition curator and head of historical research—and Mónica Landa, a communications specialist dedicated to promoting Mexican culture, who carefully manages the gallery.
The Clásicos Mexicanos gallery is located at Tres Picos 65, Polanco, Mexico City, and will open its doors on June 2, 2018.
This article was written by Mónica Arellano. The translation is powered by AI.
