Oaxacan Artists Unveil Mexico Under the Shadow of the Moon

The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, the first in Mexico since 1991, has inspired a unique exhibition titled “Mexico under the Shadow of the Moon.” Supported by various organizations such as the Institute of Astronomy of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the National Committee of Eclipses Mexico, and the UNAM Foundation, this exhibition opened at the Palacio de la Autonomía and will continue until April 21st.

Featuring 24 pieces created specifically for this exhibit, artists from Oaxaca explore their interpretations of the eclipse through various perspectives. These include mythological and ancestral rituals to contemporary and symbolic representations, utilizing both figurative and abstract styles. The curator Ivonne Kennedy emphasizes that this convergence of art and science aims to engage public curiosity about science through an artistic lens.

Héctor Hernández Toledo, an Oaxacan astronomer, initiated this project with equal representation for male and female artists showcasing a diverse range of styles, techniques, languages, and colors. This exhibition dispels the idea that Oaxacan art is monotonous by highlighting each artist’s unique approach to portraying the eclipse.

The round format of each work measures one meter in diameter and features representations of mythical rituals, symbolic imagery, astronauts, animals and other subjects along with depictions of the eclipse itself. Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to explore how art intersects with science while appreciating creative expressions inspired by Mexico’s upcoming solar eclipse.