Mexican Cultural Institute DC

01/20/2021

José Guadalupe Posada is one of Mexico’s most celebrated printmaking artists, being remembered to date as the creator of "La Catrina", originally called "La Calavera Garbancera" 💀

As Mexico modernized in the late 19th century, Posada created perhaps more than 20,000 expressive images reflecting the transitioning culture of that time. His famous skulls or "calaveras" were a journalistic form of graphic art that was already in fashion in the 1880s. He died #OTD in 1913.

Photo credits: Museo del Estanquillo Colecciones Carlos Monsiváis - Secretaría de Cultura.

01/19/2021

Juried Invitational | The Phillips Collection

On its 100th anniversary, we would like to congratulate The Phillips Collection for being one of the most emblematic art institutions in DC, and one of our key partners and cultural allies over the years.

As part of its celebration, we invite you to participate in Inside Outside, Upside Down, an open call for artists of the #DMV to submit recent work that speaks to the struggle and resiliency of the human spirit in the present time: bit.ly/juriedinvitational

This juried invitational celebrates The Phillips Collection’s 100th anniversary in 2021, building on the legacy of founder Duncan Phillips and his commitment to presenting, acquiring, and promoting the work of artists of the greater DC region. Inside Outside, Upside Down invites artists to submit ...

01/18/2021

Happy #MLK day! Although the focus of the Civil Rights Movement was on the African American community at the time, Martin Luther King Jr.'s thoughts and sense of justice resonated with many Latinos, Native Americans and other minorities who had a broader sense of inclusion. Photo: © Bob Adelman / Smithsonian.

01/16/2021

Disfruta de la selección oficial del Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente EXTRAMUROS Casa Bukowski, encuentro que celebra la actividad cinematográfica creada desde las provincias y periferias de Iberoamérica para reflejar sus diversas realidades. Hasta el 25 de enero: http://bit.ly/38GHI1n

01/15/2021

#ViernesTradicional En 1928, el pintor Ramón Cano Manilla retrató a una mujer oaxaqueña en medio de una vegetación selvática portando un huipil de la comunidad yalalteca, bordado con motivos decorativos de flores y aves hechas con grecas, y líneas esquemáticas.

Estos elementos simétricos desarrollados con gran cuidado y detalle aluden directamente a las artesanías populares, Ias cuales cumplen un papel unificador en la cultura mexicana. Actualmente, este retrato forma parte del acervo del Museo Nacional de Arte INBA.

01/14/2021

🧵 #ModaMexicana Conoce al Colectivo Autónomo de Moda, una alianza entre 21 de los mejores diseñadores y diseñadoras mexicanas que, en estos tiempos inéditos, se unieron para impulsar el uso de prendas hechas en México y promover el trabajo creativo de las comunidades artesanas.

A través de esta plataforma virtual, el colectivo busca crear conciencia sobre el consumo de productos locales, la moda sustentable y el pleno conocimiento de las personas involucradas en la elaboración de cada prenda: bit.ly/3nL846w

01/13/2021

El Colegio Nacional (México) te invita a la conferencia "Identidad nacional: de la novela de la Revolución a la filosofía de lo mexicano", impartida por Christopher Domínguez Michael. ¡No te la pierdas hoy a las 6:00PM (CDMX) / 7:00PM (DC)! http://bit.ly/35ueXDa

01/12/2021

👏🏽 Big congratulations to Mexican director Fernanda Valadez on winning the Gotham Awards for Best International Feature with her powerful movie Identifying Features #SinSeñasParticulares 🎬

01/12/2021

🌮 Amamos los tacos, pero ¿te gustaría aprender los secretos de la cocina indígena y popular de México? Descubre los recetarios de Culturas Populares Secretaría de Cultura y replica la diversidad gastronómica que ofrece nuestro país: bit.ly/recetar1os 🇲🇽

Foto: Cocina Poblana, Eduardo Pingret (s. XIX) Museo Nacional de Arte INBA.

#CocinaMexicana #TacoTuesday

01/11/2021

The International Cultural Friends Festival, Feria Internacional de las Culturas Amigas, is a cultural diplomacy project that brings together countries from all over the world in Mexico City, to promote cooperation and serve as a touristic and multicultural outlet 🌎

Enjoy its virtual edition here: bit.ly/3s9lmgN

01/09/2021

#AMexicanPortrait

📷 ¿Te gusta la fotografía de calle? Visita la muestra virtual #AMexicanPortrait, de Martha Gabriela Driessen, cuyas imágenes recorren las festivas calles de Oaxaca durante las calendas, así como los escenarios de la Ciudad de México: http://bit.ly/amp_tour

01/08/2021

👨‍🎤 ¡Feliz cumpleaños, David Bowie! ¿Sabías que… en 1997 el ícono del rock tocó su primer y único show en la Ciudad de México? Durante su estancia en el país, realizó una gira por las principales instituciones culturales, incluyendo el Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, el Museo Frida Kahlo y el sitio arqueológico de Teotihuacán.

Fotos: Fernando Aceves.

01/07/2021

Entre 1953 y 1955, Juan Rulfo publicó su obra completa, con la que habría de transformar la literatura mexicana del siglo XX abriéndola a la modernidad ante el mundo 📖 Hoy conmemoramos su aniversario luctuoso.

Con libertad creativa y utilizando la fantasía, la imaginación y el pensamiento mágico, Rulfo mantuvo la crítica social al régimen político, además de explorar un enfoque comunitario para comprender mejor las culturas mexicanas. ¡Cuéntanos cuál es tu obra favorita de este autor!

Foto: Autorretrato (ca.1937).

01/07/2021

El movimiento en la quietud

🎧 Put your headphones on and enjoy “El movimiento en la quietud”, a binaural experience that takes you in a walk to Berlin and Mexico City with original music and interactive elements created by the Mexican composer Ernesto Cárcamo Cavazos with the collaboration from fellow Mexican composer Esteban Ruiz-Velasco and US composer and developer Daniel McKemie. Goethe-Institut

Listen here: bit.ly/2WwNpYZ

01/06/2021

👑 Today we celebrate Three Kings Day! In 1910, the Mexican impressionist and modern painter Ángel Zárraga made La adoración de los Reyes Magos (The Adoration of the Magi), portraying the famous adoration scene in a very unusual way. #DiaDeReyes

Zárraga excludes the characters of Mary, Joseph and the archangel Gabriel, instead he presents the corrected bodies of the wise astrologers, weighing up the symbolic elements of the East in the construction of the image. The painting is part of the Museo Nacional de Arte INBA permanent collection.

(ESP)

¡Hoy celebramos el Día de los Reyes Magos! En 1910, el pintor mexicano moderno e impresionista, Ángel Zárraga, realizó La adoración de los Reyes Magos, retratando la famosa escena de adoración de una manera muy inusual.

Zárraga excluye los personajes de María, José y el arcángel Gabriel, en cambio corrige los cuerpos de los sabios astrólogos y pondera los elementos simbólicos de Oriente en la construcción de la imagen. El cuadro forma parte de la colección permanente del Museo Nacional de Arte.

01/05/2021

Chef Pati Jinich’s Three Kings Bread Recipe With Chocolate!

Still have room for more food? On Jan. 6, many people around the world will celebrate Three Kings Day. In Mexico, a big part of the holiday tradition is the Rosca de reyes (Three Kings cake) 👑

Learn how to make it following Pati Jinich’s special recipe: https://dailyvitamina.com/69915/chef-pati-jinichs-three-kings-bread-recipe-with-chocolate/

Three Kings Day is almost here and it’s one of those Mexican traditions that many of us grew up with. In fact, in many Mexican households parents skip giving their children gifts on Christmas…

01/05/2021

📷 A pioneer of social photojournalism, Tina Modotti was an Italian-born actress, model and photographer. Her most famous images captured the milieu of Mexico City throughout the 1920s, which had become a cosmopolitan and cultural hub.

Modotti documented the work of Mexican intellectuals and artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera enhancing their class consciousness, as well as Mexico’s sights and people conveying their dignity and worth. She died #OTD in 1942.

01/04/2021

📽️ Felicitamos al activista y documentalista oaxaqueño, Ernesto Noba Regalado, por haber obtenido la Beca Jenkins Del Toro 2020, estimulo apoyado por Guillermo del Toro.

En 2019, presentamos su documental Nendok Entre Lagunas, en colaboración con Ambulante Más Allá . ¡Enhorabuena! 👏🏽

01/04/2021

🙌🏻 Happy first Monday of the year! Our institute may be temporarily closed to the public, but you can still admire its spectacular architecture designed by the prestigious Nathan Wyeth and George A. Fuller, who also designed the West Wing of The #WhiteHouse. Stay tuned to our virtual programming!

01/01/2021

A new year on the horizon salutes us. Cheers to new beginnings! #Happy2021 🎊

📷: Juan Rulfo's self-portrait in the Nevado de Toluca, (1940).

12/31/2020

✨10...9...8...7… the countdown is almost on! Have a cozy and safe New Year’s Eve! #Bye2020 🎇

📷: Manuel Felguerez, Hopscotch (1966)

12/30/2020

This rollercoaster of a year is coming to an end, so we want to deeply thank all our partner institutions and community of supporters that made possible our 2020 virtual programming to continue sharing Mexico’s vibrant culture in the US 🇲🇽🇺🇸 Here's to 2021!

12/29/2020

Take the virtual tour of #AMexicanPortrait, an exhibition by Martha Gabriela Driessen, and tune in its special playlist that evokes the street parades and traditional Oaxacan processions known as Calendas.

🖼 Tour: http://bit.ly/amp_tour

🎶 Playlist: http://spoti.fi/3rKtGDB

12/29/2020

Today we remember David Alfaro Siqueiros, a leading figure in the Mexican school of great mural painters and an activist who believed art and politics blended seamlessly together. He was born #OTD in 1896 🖌️

His murals, big and bold, were often infused with themes that showcased his political views and were distinguished for their use of dynamic perspective, monumental forms, dramatic use of shadow, and a limited color palette.

Photo credits: Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros - UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

12/28/2020

Piñatas, un símbolo de la Navidad para mexicanos

Las piñatas son el símbolo de las fiestas decembrinas en México 🌟 Conoce la historia detrás de esta tradición a través de la visita que Telemundo 44 realizó al #ICMDC: http://bit.ly/38FA2vd

Es el símbolo de las fiestas decembrinas en México. No hay posada en la que falte este símbolo de alegría. Te contamos la historia detrás de esta tradición.

12/28/2020

The world bids farewell to Mexican ballad singer-songwriter Armando Manzanero. During a seven-decade career, he wrote more than 400 endearing songs, most of them performed by an array of international stars. Rest in power.

12/23/2020

✨ The team at the Mexican Cultural Institute wishes you all and your loved ones warm greetings for a happy and healthy Holiday Season! #FelicesFiestas #HappyHolidays

12/22/2020

🎄 No flower says Christmas quite like the Poinsettia, but #DYK the Aztecs were the first to cultivate these bright red plants? They called it Cuitlaxochitl meaning "flower that withers", and it was used to create reddish tints for fabrics and as a traditional medicine.

In colonial times, the Spaniards named the flower Nochebuena (flower of the Holy Night) due to its appearance in December, and currently there are more than 400 varieties of this plant 🥀

12/22/2020

🎧 Conoce El movimiento en la quietud, una experiencia interactiva que incluye paisajes sonoros y música contemporánea de la CDMX y Berlín, creada por los mexicanos Ernesto Cárcamo Cavazos y Esteban Ruiz-Velasco, junto a Daniel McKemie: http://bit.ly/2WwNpYZ

12/21/2020

🗞️ Before Truman Capote and Norman Mailer, there was John Reed, an American journalist who crossed the border #OTD in 1913 to relate the events of the Mexican Revolution placing the reader in the heart of this social movement, right next to Pancho Villa.

Originally published as a series of newspaper articles for the Metropolitan Magazine, the book Insurgent Mexico became one of the most vivid testimonies of this revolutionary upheaval 🇲🇽

Illustrations: Alberto Gamón for México insurgente (2020) by Nórdica Libros.

12/21/2020

❄ The shortest day of the year marks the official start of winter. Happy solstice to you all!

Photo: Frío (Invierno) - Remedios Varo, 1948.

12/18/2020

Teatro del Estado "Gral. Ignacio de la Llave" - IVEC

Sintoniza hoy el concierto “Furia y Silencio” a cargo de Ónix Ensamble desde el Millennium Stage del The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, con la presentación de una obra compuesta por Gabriela Ortiz Torres 🎶

Veracruz Escena Contemporánea trae a ustedes desde el Desde el Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Washington DC, el concierto “Furia y Silencio” a cargo de Ónix Ensamble, reconocido y premiado grupo de músicos mexicanos fundado por Alejandro Escuer, dedicados a difundir lo mejor de las nuevas tendencias de la música actual.

12/18/2020

#InternationalMigrantsDay is annually held on December 18 to recognize the efforts, contributions, and rights of the estimated 272 million migrants that are integral members of all our societies today 👫

On this day, we invite you to explore Aceptar, a collective exhibition that represents the diversity of dreams, traditions, and cultures ingrained in the immigration experience. Last days at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center: https://bit.ly/3nvZOZ2

12/17/2020

🌞 #OTD in 1790, the original Piedra del Sol (Stone of the Sun), known as the Aztec Calendar was discovered buried beneath the Zócalo. The 12-foot, 25-ton intricately carved basalt slab shows the importance the Aztecs gave to time and the accuracy with which they measured it.

The stone was carved in the late 1400s and although it symbolizes the conception of time, it was not used as a calendar, according to the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia. In the stone's center is the sun god Tonatiuh. The rest of the carvings explain the Aztecs' idea of the cosmos.

Photo credits: INAH.

12/16/2020

🎄 Let posadas begin! As part of the Christmas celebration, traditional Mexican fiestas called posadas (inns) are held for family, friends, and neighbors to honor Mary and Joseph’s nine-day pilgrimage to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus, according to the catholic religion.

✨ They take place on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th., where families customarily hold a posada party one evening in each of their homes to sing carols, light candles, break piñatas, and drink ponche.

Photo: Las posadas, Teodoro Cano (1980).