Mexican Pavilion Curators Lozano and Marcin Discuss Decolonial Future at 59th Venice Biennale

At the 59th Venice Biennale, Catalina Lozano and Mauricio Marcin are overseeing the Mexican Pavilion, featuring the group exhibition titled 'Until the Songs Spring' at the Arsenale. This exhibition showcases works by Mariana Castillo Deball, Naomi Rincón Gallardo, Fernando Palma Rodríguez, and Santiago Borja, in collaboration with El Camino de los Altos. It delves into artists' reactions to colonial power dynamics while envisioning decolonial futures, reflecting on modern complexities in Mexico. In a questionnaire from ArtReview, the curators dismissed the concepts of 'national art' and 'universal art,' promoting an ecosystemic perspective that prioritizes emotional connections over broad national or universal narratives. They highlighted the significance of incorporating marginalized craft practices into meaningful art discussions. The Biennale serves as a platform to highlight Mexico's varied artistic expressions and engage in pertinent dialogues within the Mexican art community. The curators acknowledged that national representation can challenge its own significance and counteract homogenizing stories. The 59th Venice Biennale is scheduled from 23 April to 27 November 2022. Lozano and Marcin recalled the Lithuanian Pavilion from the previous edition as particularly striking and expressed eagerness to experience the full biennale.