Alejandro Cartagena's Ground Rules retrospective at SFMOMA explores Mexico's urban transformation

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is currently showcasing a significant retrospective of Alejandro Cartagena's work, named Ground Rules, which runs until 19 April. This exhibition encompasses over 20 projects that reflect the evolving landscapes and social realities of Mexico. Cartagena, born in 1977, emphasizes urban development in his art. Notable series include Suburbia Mexicana (2005–2010) and Carpoolers (2011–2012), which explore the dynamics between urban and suburban areas, as well as the experiences of commuting laborers. His 2016 piece, Suburban Bus, revisits his commuting experiences from the 1990s. The exhibition also features recent collage and AI-generated works, such as We Are Things (2025). Christopher Bedford from SFMOMA highlights how Cartagena's photographs ignite broader discussions on social, political, and environmental matters, celebrating his contributions to photography through his photobooks.