Many Cities, One Providence: Mexico City – Spectacular Vernacular

About the Exhibition

Many Cities, One Providence: Mexico City – Spectacular Vernacular brings to Providence College Galleries three artists’ explorations of Mexico City, their creative center and hometown. Incorporating past and present elements of local architecture, urban and colonial history, capitalist spectacle and daily life, Spectacular Vernacular showcases a kind of urban alchemy cultivated by artists and resident citizens alike. From investigations of language and public space (Arnaud-Bello) and billboard inspired tapestries (Camil) to imaginative prints and drawings depicting the sordid history of the X (Chaves), each project demonstrates the rich visual vocabulary of traditional folklore and contemporary culture in Mexico’s capital city.

Many Cities, One Providence is an exhibition series offering Providence audiences idiosyncratic glimpses of innovative contemporary artists working in cities around the world. The series stems from Providence College Galleries’ interest in cultivating relationships with artists, scholars and arts communities from around the world in order to draw connections between the city of Providence and other American and international urban contexts.

Spectacular Vernacular is organized by Jamilee Lacy, Director and Curator of Providence College Galleries.