“Fascination: Modotti–Weston” at Monterrey’s Museum of Contemporary Art

Organized by Monterrey’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO is the Spanish acronym), with the collaboration of the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), the show entitled “Fascination: Modotti–Weston” displays a selection of the photographic work carried out by Italian Tina Modotti and North American Edward Weston between 1923 and 1926, which reflects the mutual collaboration and influence during the sentimental and professional relationship they developed in Mexico.

Described as one of the most innovative and influential North American photographer, Weston arrived in Mexico with a career that backed up his steps. During his stay he took 750 pictures that reflect his approach to the Mexican culture and his evolution as an artist. In this country the photographer decided to put pictorialism aside and go for a “direct photography”. This change of course brought about such series as the one that presents toilets, or shall we say, abstract shapes created with Anita Brenner’s naked body.

On the other hand, as Weston’s model, muse, pupil and assistant, Tina Modotti played an important role in world avant-garde, although her work was recognized years later. Tina developed a seven-year artistic career and took 400 negatives before she turned to her political interests and followed the Stalinist cause. In Mexico, her magnetic personality and ideology made her be labeled a sex icon and communist secret agent.

Both artists took pictures of Mexico throughout the 1920 decade, with such figures as José Clemente Orozco and Xavier Guerrero, snapshots of landscapes and daily objects that, through a foreign lens, offer a different and sometimes rough aesthetic view of Mexico.

The exhibit is made up of four themes, which shed light on the affinity and relation between their works. As an introduction, the first part presents pictures they took each other and a couple series.

It’s followed by the Society Portraits section that includes images of Nahui Olin, Diego Rivera and D.H. Lawrence.

The third section, Hands & Body, puts together pictures of human anatomy that reflect the Mexican reality. Last but not least, Objects puts an end to the display and includes pictures of typical crafts and plants of the region.

Fascination is, according to curator Sylvia Navarrete, the fuel of creativity in the Mexican period of Modotti and Weston; as well as the impact that the extraordinary images taken by these photographers still have on us.

“Fascination: Modotti-Weston” will be open to the public through Sunday January 11, 2015.

Source: Press release