Event: Mexico Then & Now Sept 7th – October 4th, 2012 at Salt Lake City Public Library

Mexico Then & Now

Sept 7^th – October 4^th, 2012 at Salt Lake City Public Library

A two-part photography exhibit centered on Mexico’s legendary Casasola Archive

Salt Lake City— Artes de México en Utah, in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, are pleased to present Mexico Then & Now, a special exhibition that examines the history and national identity of Mexico. Opening on September 7 at the Salt Lake City Library and additional satellite venues, Mexico Then & Now will join 92 historical photographs from Mexico’s legendary Casasola Archive in the National Institute of Anthropology and History with current day photographs by Salt Lake community members. A public ribbon cutting and free opening reception will take place in the atrium of at the Salt Lake City Library on September 7 at 5 p.m.

Mexico Then & Now is a two-part exhibition centered on Mexico: The Revolution and Beyond, Photographs by Casasola 1900-1940, an exhibit of historical images by Mexican photographer Agustin Victor Casasola. Over a period of forty years, Casasola’s lens captured the changes his country underwent before and after the Revolution of 1910, a fundamental event that defined Mexico’s national identity. Ranging from historical portraits and images of armed revolutionaries to scenes of Mexican daily life and industry workers, Casasola’s photographs represent the “Then” portion of Mexico: Then & Now.

"The historic and modern photographs of Mexico on display are windows into the past and present of Mexican society” asserts Mexican photographer and principal curator of the exhibit, Edgar Gómez. “This is a historic opportunity to see prints from the original negatives of the most important figures in Mexican history as well as a way to discover the many modern connections between Mexico and Utah.

Presented alongside Casasola’s photographs will be a growing exhibition of contemporary photographs by Utah community members, representing the “Now” portion of Mexico Then & Now. Members of the public are invited to submit photos that represent their perceptions, experiences, and visions regarding Mexico. Photos can be submitted electronically to mexiconowphotos@gmail.com.  Mexico Then & Now allows Utahns to help curate the exhibit by submitting their own photographs of “their Mexico.”

This traveling exhibition will be centered at the Salt Lake City Main Library with selections from these photographs at five other venues, including Brigham Young University, The State Fairpark, Kingsbury Hall, Mestizo Institute of Culture & Art, University of Utah, and the Utah Pride Center.

A variety of public programming has been scheduled to enhance Mexico Then & Now visitors, including openings, a  family day, films, discussions, workshops, and art events.  For a full listing of Mexico Then & Now programming, visit Artes de México en Utah website at, www.artesdemexicoenutah.org

Mexico Then & Now is funded in part by generous support from the following organizations: Consulado de México en Salt Lake City, Fiesta Mexicana Utah, Friends of the Library, Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City Arts Council, Salt Lake City Public Library System, University of Utah College of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah Latin American Studies, University of Utah Gender Studies, Utah Arts Council, Utah Humanities Council, Utah Pride Center, and Wells Fargo Bank.

About Artes de México en Utah

Artes de México en Utah is an independent non-profit organization devoted to promoting Mexican art in Utah with a vision of cross-cultural unity, in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City. Artes de México en Utah is supported by a generous grant from the Utah Humanities Council and assistance from many community partners and volunteers. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers, and its board of directors consists of artists, art scholars, and art collectors, the majority of whom were born in Mexico; its advisory board includes scholars in the areas of Latin American art history, Spanish language and literature, and Latin American studies; a university museum curator and fundraising professional; and community leaders.