Art students explore Mexico’s cultural heritage

Led by Associate Professor Raul Ortega Ayala, the study tour offered the students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Mexico’s rich history, diverse culture and vibrant art scene.

The first days in Mexico City introduced the group to the vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations. The students had the chance to explore ‘Ofrendas de Muertos’ (Day of the Dead altars) and participate in the grand parade that fills the city streets with colour and life. These activities offered a powerful glimpse into this deeply rooted Mexican tradition, blending ancient beliefs with modern expressions.

The group then delved into the complex history of Mexico, starting with a visit to the Monumento a la Revolución and the National Museum of the Revolution. Here, a local historian guided them through Mexico's history. The following day, the group went on a guided tour of the Museum of Anthropology, which opened doors to the ancient civilisations of Mexico. The students witnessed the Danza de los Voladores, an Indigenous ceremony where dancers descend with their feet tied to a rope from a 30-metre pole.

Over the course of the trip, the students toured multiple contemporary art spaces such as the Laboratorio Arte Alameda, Diego Rivera Mural Museum and Museo Palacio de Bellas Artes, where they encountered works by legendary artists like Rivera, Siqueiros and Orozco. They also visited exhibitions showcasing the works of renowned Mexican artists  Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varo, among others.

In a unique opportunity, students engaged with art produced by students at CENTRO, an art and design school in the northern part of the city, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), exploring the iconic murals embedded in the university's architecture. Associate Professor Ayala delivered a lecture at UNAM's Seminar of Philosophical and Psychoanalytical Studies, before conducting portfolio reviews with art students at SOMA, a contemporary art institution.

Exploring the Indigenous and artistic roots of Oaxaca

The next leg of the journey took the group to Oaxaca, a region brimming with Indigenous art and history. Students explored Monte Albán, an archaeological site that provides deep insights into the Zapotec civilisation. They also participated in a workshop where they learned to create art using local plants that had been used by the Zapotecs for centuries.

The group visited the Museo de Arte Prehispánico Rufino Tamayo, Centro Cultural San Pablo and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca. A particularly meaningful experience was a visit to a Zapotec weaving workshop in Teotitlán del Valle. Here, the students learned about an art initiative that intersects with social justice — working with a cooperative that supports women who have faced domestic abuse by teaching them weaving and providing them with economic independence skills.

At the Ethnobotanical Garden, the group discovered how local flora plays a significant role in the community's culture and everyday life. The journey included visits to local artists’ workshops and a visit to the Centro de Artes de San Agustin, an art school founded by Zapotec artist Francisco Toledo to teach local crafts and art to the community and showcase contemporary art in its large galleries.

Immersing in the ancient and modern culture of Yucatán

The final destination of the trip took the group to Merida, Yucatán, where the students explored the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and the convent and pyramid at Izamal. They also had the opportunity to visit exhibitions of local contemporary artists such as Rafiki Sanchez, whose sculptures incorporate natural fibres, and Saul Villa, a former director of the local art school. This part of the trip highlighted the relevance of Indigenous materials and techniques in modern art.

An excursion to the art initiative Terrario Sitpach showcased art projects work towards ecological restoration. The experience ended with a visit to Gerda Gruber’s open-air sculpture studio and a tour of the University of the Arts of Yucatán.

A successful outcome

Associate Professor Ayala says the trip was an invaluable experience that far exceeded expectations.

“The trip was a great success as it exposed the students to three major cities in the country and four important archaeological sites - two of them UNESCO World Heritage sites. They spoke directly with experts, artists, artisans and representatives of a variety of Indigenous groups, and visited over 30 different museums, galleries and  natural sites that covered a variety of themes like local history, Ethnobotany, Indigenous cultures, sustainable art practices, contemporary art and more. The group was also able to see how local artists disseminate their work through non-profit, institutional, or commercial projects.

“According to one of the students’ step-count app, we ended up covering  approximately 200 kilometres throughout the trip. Through those walks they were able to learn about the history, customs, contemporary art, craftmanship, Indigenous cosmogony and most importantly about how artist initiatives can go beyond the remit of art, create social change and address the pressing problems of their generation.”

Student Olivia Rose says she found the ethos of the alebrijes art community particularly impactful.

“I was surprised and inspired by how the alebrijes artist, Saul, in Oaxaca talked about the concept of ‘communal destiny’ and how it had been realised in a practical, everyday way in his community. ‘Communal destiny’ can be described as; contribution to community for the good of the community; doing things for the interest and benefit of everyone.

“Members of the community could fall back on each other for financial support in hard times and, in exchange, uplift others facing a lull during times of personal productivity. This system of mutual empathy, trust, and generosity creates the foundation for the alebrijes art community to thrive.”

A highlight of the trip for student Carlos Knight was the travel between scheduled destinations in Mexico City.

“It was in these journeys that I caught glimpses of the foreign urban landscape, its smells, noises, norms, and the people and how they interacted with one another. I say ‘glimpses’ because we were often on a mission to our next destination. But, over the 16 days in Mexico City these glimpses accumulated to form an understanding of a beautiful place and its culture. We all began to feel more embedded in where we were. For me, this was the most amazing part - approaching our busy schedule headfirst, and quickly getting amongst the daily life there. I found this to be a valuable life experience for all of us, even more so as we learned more about one another as the trip went on.”

After the students left, Associate Professor Ayala remained behind for a few days to meet with curators and artists, discussing potential future exchanges between Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University and various art institutions in Mexico. These conversations laid the groundwork for further collaboration and enrichment for both the students and the wider academic community at Massey.