INSIDE THE LAUNCH OF MATERIA CONTEXTO
available at MATERIA.press
Event photography by Noel Higareda
Gallery and object photography by Luis Garvan
Misch photography courtesy of LOOT
Set in México City—between the completion of Art Basel Miami and the beginning of posada season—México’s creative and cultural scene gathered at MATERIA Contexto, merging disruptive narrative and physical dialogue in curated environments. MATERIA Contexto dressed up the blank canvas that is LOOT Gallery with our favorite lifesize articles from the year paired with art and objects from each of the invited artists and designers. Some of the vibey moments included sipping on the perfect Pastis de México and Madre Mezcal cocktails. Appearances by Tito Fuentes, rockstar and lead singer of iconic band Molotov, who showed up to support friend and collaborator Alejandro García Contreras, “it has been a long time since I had such a good time at an event of this kind. The atmosphere and the people were the best by far.” New friends like Choreographer Damien Jalet, who beautifully commented on how the evening, like México’s sensuality, draws him in. An impromptu music set by invited DJ Yasmin and Breakbot, who arrived earlier that night from Paris and made a surprise guest appearance that exploded the dance floor.
We welcomed creatives who were featured at MATERIA Contexto including Emmanuel Picault of Chic by Accident, Alejandro García Contreras, Manu Bañó, and Tomás Cedeño Díaz of Disciplina Studio. Some standout pieces were PANORAMMMA’s Chainmail Chair, Daniel Lezama’s Mujer Hongo sculpture and Héctor Esrawe’s Solsticio lamp series, which was simultaneously announced as Best of Year 2021 Winner for Interior Design Magazine in the floor lamp category. MATERIA provides an opportunity for collectors and culture enthusiasts to get to know the artists and makers they admire on a much deeper level, and as a result, gaining a profound appreciation for their work. Founder of PANORAMMMA, Maika Palazuelos put it best in a love note she sent after the show about watching from afar in Barcelona: “the pictures clearly show the result of you forming a strengthened community around design and art.” A testament to how we seek to build community.
To close out an incredible first year of documenting culture across the Americas, our independent publication launched MATERIA Contexto, the physical expression of our editorial platform where our community is invited to participate in creative dialogues on art, design, architecture and culture. We can’t wait to share the next experience with you in early 2022 which will be extended to our membership community.
Enjoy a visual selection from the night!
– MATERIA Editor-in-Chief Sarah Len
“Thank you for including me in such a beautiful project. Everything looked incredible in the event and the pictures clearly show the result of you forming a strengthened community around design and art.”
— Maika Palazuelos
“I am excited to see a vibrant and intentional scene in México City, beyond the same people, institutions and groups of artists. It is very important to renew ideas in a cultural community that points toward new directions. This type of event will generate different spaces for reflection, professional encounters and friendships that allow the growth of networks of work and thought in the art scene.”
— Alejandro García Contreras
A special thank you to our hosts The Len Co. and LOOT Gallery and to our sponsors Pastis de México, Madre Mezcal and Cerveza Cucapá — each brand with a unique story to tell about the passion and art of spirit making.
