Mexico #12 – September 2018

Gandalf Gavan “son para Daedalos,” 2003, glass, monofilament, mixed media, 30′ x 60′ x 30′

In his 2003 Oaxaca installation, Gandalf Gavan (1975 – 2014 ) “created an impossibly beautiful sight, a canopy of thousands of mirrored glass orbs hung over a historical street in Oaxaca, Mexico” (Glass Quarterly). The Miami Herald called the installation “blown glass rain suspended over Oaxaca.“ Gavan and his partner and printmaker Nicola Lopez are part of a family of artists that often return to the unique Mexican town of Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is a city of traditional and hybrid arts. Many artists and designers work here with artisans, but this is a story of creative dialogue rather than solo genius.

Garland’s journey across the Indo Pacific will lead to Mexico in September 2018. This will include a special feature on Oaxaca and its vibrant culture of fiestas, parades, processions and demonstrations. We will consider the art of the street, where a community makes a variety of objects, decorations and ornaments to create an impressive public event. This is a space of masks, paper cuts, costumes, and above all—colour.

To coincide with this year’s Day of the Dead, Garland will be bringing our Indo-Pacific network to Oaxaca for a special program of forums, workshops, exhibitions and tours from 29 October to 2 November. See Nihao, Namaste, Konichiwa, G’day, Oaxaca! Global pathways for craft today. 

The local editor for this issue is Valeria Florescano. 

The online exhibition is Made for Parade, which feature work designed and created for display on the move, such as processions and performances. Images are due 20 August. Work can be submitted here.