Orientalism in Mexican Art Since the 1990s
Since the early 1990s, Mexican artists including Eduardo Abaroa, Rodrigo Aldana, Yishai Jusidman, Edgar Orlaineta, and Daniela Rossell have increasingly incorporated East Asian cultural references into their work. This wave of orientalism emerged as a reaction against the neomexicanism of the 1980s, which had focused on national cultural identity. By adopting international symbols, these artists deliberately avoid political, historical, or religious connotations, instead using open-ended clichés and stereotypes. Despite shared techniques of cultural representation, their orientalism is distinguished by the selection of symbols that are free from specific contextual meanings.
Key facts
- Since the early 1990s, Mexican art has seen a rise in works referencing East Asian culture.
- Artists include Eduardo Abaroa, Rodrigo Aldana, Yishai Jusidman, Edgar Orlaineta, and Daniela Rossell.
- This orientalism responds to the neomexicanism of the 1980s.
- It opposes national cultural references with international ones.
- The use of clichés and stereotypes is common.
- The orientalism is distinguished by open symbols without political, historical, or religious connotations.
- The trend reflects a shift from national to international cultural references.
- The article was published in Artpress in February 1999.
Entities
Artists
- Eduardo Abaroa
- Rodrigo Aldana
- Yishai Jusidman
- Edgar Orlaineta
- Daniela Rossell
Institutions
- Artpress
Locations
- Mexico
Sources
- artpress —