Botanical Garden Culiacan | Contemporary Art

WORKS INSTALLED

Isabel and Agustin Coppel's collection (CIAC)

The renowned art critic Patrick Charpenel selected 38 national and international artists with the intention of producing sensitive experiences that motivated visitors to reflect on social and natural issues and their relationship with man

ADRIAN VILLAR ROJAS

(ROSARIO, ARGENTINA, 1980)

FROM THE SERIES RETURN THE WORLD, 2014

Clay (without cooking), cement, wood, metal | 7 pi

Built with a wood and metal structure and covered with a mixture of raw-clay and – cement, these seven bells present the qualities of these materials in their most basic form. The unfinished appearance shows the fragility of the pieces against the passage of time and the effects of nature. The craquelures are marks or traces that resemble scars or the distinguishing characteristics of a person; unique features that reveal their own story. The bells – as in the title of the series – return us to the world, show it to us and make it apparent as they overtly occupy space and demonstrate the ephemeral nature of things.

ADRIAN VILLAR ROJAS

Built over a wood and metal structure covered with an uncooked clay mix,... LEARN MORE

DAN GRAHAM

(URBANA, USA, 1942)

CONCAVE / CONVEX HEDGE FOLLY, 2005

Pavilion

Dan Graham, one of the greatest conceptual artists of the sixties, has designed a pavilion that is shaped by three curved walls. One of the walls is made up of a hedge of aromatic flowers and the other by double mirrors. The pavilion manages to frame a picture of the landscape, at the same time that the glass mirrors, because of its reflective and translucent qualities, a set of bodies and superimposed flashes. Since 1970, Dan Graham has worked on pieces that actively involve the viewer, making it an essential part of the work.

DAN GRAHAM

Dan Graham, one of the greatest conceptual artists of the sixties, has designed a pavilion that is s... LEARN MORE

DIANA THATER

SAN FRANCISCO, USA, 1962

RED FLOWERS, 2001

Video projected in 9 monitors

The work of Diana Thater is characterized for manipulating architectural space through the projection of images and light. Her work explores the artistic scope of video and its possibility to occupy space. The piece that Thater has contributed to the Botanical Garden consists in several monitors that have been assembled and manage to shape a fragmented surface, in which red flowers are shown. The way in which space is arranged in this piece plays with the architectural conditions of the place. The use of natural motifs and colors is left to the free interpretation of the viewer, inviting them to interact with nature.

DIANA THATER

The work of Diana Thater is characterized for manipulating architectural space through the projectio... LEARN MORE

FRANCIS ALŸS

AMBERES, BELGIUM, 1959

GAME OVER, 2010-2011

Volkswagen Sedan model 1993 impacted on parota

In all automobile history there has never been a model with as much success as the Volkswagen Sedan. The last unit of this car was produced in 2003 in Puebla, thus ending the production of a contemporary icon. With the purpose of closing the cycle of his piece “Vocho '93”, Francis Alÿs drove his “vocho” from Mexico City to Culiacan to end his trip at the Botanical Garden of Culiacan and crash the vehicle against the trunk of a Parota. This symbolic act is not only the conclusion of the machine's cycle, it also involves a symbiosis between the urban symbol and a natural oasis, which results in a new process of biological activity inside the car.

FRANCIS ALŸS

In all automobile history there has never been a model with as much success as the Volkswagen Sedan.... LEARN MORE

GABRIEL OROZCO

JALAPA, MEXICO, 1962

GO 4 NO BORDERS, 2006

360 onyx and marble discs, 90 of each color (red,

The work of this Mexican artist is characterized by highlighting the contingencies or random behaviors that occur both in nature and in the multiple forms of culture. On this occasion, Gabriel Orozco scatters some pieces of the ancient Chinese game Go on an extensive board that, by their formal or conceptual contribution, generates a relationship between the object and the public, turning them into two poles that are part of the same spatial dynamics. The large format tokens can be moved by visitors, allowing them to play with the possible combinations that come from both the mathematical rules of the game and their own shapes and colors.

GABRIEL OROZCO

The work of this Mexican artist is characterized by highlighting the contingencies or random behavio... LEARN MORE

JAMES TURRELL

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 1943

ENCOUNTER, 2007 - 2014

On-site installation

Turrell addresses the perception of light in space, and questions the nature of the way we perceive it, by making the presence of light evident. For the artist "Light does not consist so much in revealing as in being revelation in itself." His interventions consist on encouraging reflection and making the viewer aware of the act of observing and perceiving. A part of the Skyspace series, Encounter is a space that, taking the optical effect of the dark chamber as a basis, has been designed with the purpose of transforming the experience of sunrise and sunset.

JAMES TURRELL

Turrell addresses the perception of light in space, and questions the nature of the way we perceive ... LEARN MORE

JAVIER MARÍN

MEXICO CITY, 1962

WOOD IN NATURE, 2004

Bronze

With this piece, commissioned especially for the Botanical Garden of Culiacan, the artist gave birth to his first monumental head sculpture. At the beginning of his career, Marin used clay and bronze as prime materials, while in his later years he has used polyester resin mixed with natural materials such as tobacco, dirt, amaranth seed, rose petals or dry meat fibers. This piece, with its classic reminiscence to his earlier work, represents mother nature, contrasting industrial and artificial with organic and natural.

JAVIER MARÍN

With this piece, commissioned especially for the Botanical Garden of Culiacan, the artist gave birth... LEARN MORE

JULIAN OPIE

LONDON, ENGLAND, 1958)

MY AUNT’S SHEEP, 1997

Vinyl, paint and aluminum

In his work, Julian Opie extracts images and figures from the everyday world to make them universally recognizable. In this space, the British artist presents My aunt´s sheep, a sculptural series in which a small herd of seven sheep can be seen - on a natural scale -, designed from the elements that characterize the signage of Roads and international airports. Due to their location and simplified graphics, the sculptures manage to alter our perception of the landscape.

JULIAN OPIE

In his work, Julian Opie extracts images and figures from the everyday world to make them universall... LEARN MORE

KIYOTO OTA

SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JAPAN, 1948

WHITE CIRCLE, 2003

Marble

From this small mound you can appreciate the sensuality and precision of White Circle, a marble carving that emulates the shape of a vegetable bulb. With his delicate piece Kiyoto Ota manages to contrast the greenery and the spaciousness of the landscape, echoing the plants and flowers found in this area of the garden. The work is naturally integrated into its surroundings, enriching the visitor's experience.

KIYOTO OTA

From this small mound you can appreciate the sensuality and precision of White Circle, a marble carv... LEARN MORE

MARCO ROUNTREE

MEXICO CITY, 1982

UNTITLED, 2011

Metal structure, swing and bougainvillea

Marco Rountree's piece, arranged on the Gardens large surface, is strategically linked to our national traditions and local culture. In Mexico, as in many other Latin American countries, it is common to celebrate a young woman’s 15 years of age in all families, regardless of socioeconomic status. In Culiacan in particular, it is customary for the birthday girl to wear a sophisticated and eye-catching dress for the celebration. Rountree's structure, covered with bougainvillea, serves as a framework that supports a swing. The piece was conceived to frame hundreds of photographs that could be taken for young quinceañeras, turning the Botanical Garden into a relevant forum to document this important moment.

MARCO ROUNTREE

Marco Rountree's piece, arranged on the Gardens large surface, is strategically linked to our nation... LEARN MORE

MARCOS RAMIREZ ERRE

TIJUANA, MEXICO, 1961

Crossing Paths, 2003

Automotive paint, aluminum and vinyl

Marcos Ramirez Erre's work explores, among other topics, the geopolitical and cultural meeting point that is generated between different countries. In Crossroads, Ramirez Erre indicates by means of colored arrows the direction of different cities and the distances between them and the city of Culiacan. On the back of the signs the artist includes sayings and quotes from popular characters that refer to the cities mentioned, highlighting the way in which people deal with other cultures.

MARCOS RAMIREZ ERRE

Marcos Ramirez Erre's work explores, among other topics, the geopolitical and cultural meeting point... LEARN MORE

OLAFUR ELIASSON

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, 1967

THE FLOWER ARCHWAY, 2005

Steel structure and aromatic plants

Olafur Eliasson's work explores the relationships between science and aesthetics. He created The Flower Archway for the Botanical Garden of Culiacan, a blacksmith's pavilion designed from dynamic geometric patterns, inspired by nature. Eliasson references the organic structure of a flower to create a piece that lives in the vegetation of the garden. The steel frame was integrated with five different species of plants with aromatic flowers that intensify the experience of the spectator during their tour inside the pavilion.

OLAFUR ELIASSON

Olafur Eliasson's work explores the relationships between science and aesthetics.... LEARN MORE

PABLO VARGAS LUGO

MEXICO CITY, 1968

BROKEN STAR, 2007

Metal structure and cement

The Mexican artist Pablo Vargas Lugo made one of his characteristic sculptures in cement for the bamboo zone of the Botanical Garden. Although the piece merges fully with the landscape, Vargas Lugo was given the task of highlighting its artificial elements, incorporating a gigantic star suspended in the center of its foliage. This heavy mass seems to fragment between the stems and leaves of the bamboo while supporting it.

PABLO VARGAS LUGO

The Mexican artist Pablo Vargas Lugo made one of his characteristic sculptures in cement for the bam... LEARN MORE

PEDRO REYES

MEXICO CITY, 1972

Shovels for guns, 2007

1527 shovels made of the metal of 1527 donated gun

Shovels for guns consists in the making of 1527 shovels produced with the metal of 1527 firearms obtained through a government program to disarm the population of Culiacan. Looking to disrupt the shape and function of both objects, the goal is for some to be donated to institutions and used to plant a tree. A selection of these is displayed with a video that shows their collection, melting and emptying.

PEDRO REYES

Shovels for guns consists in the making of 1527 shovels produced with the metal of 1527 firearms obt... LEARN MORE

RICHARD LONG

1945, BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM

WHITE QUARTZ ELLIPSE, 2000

White quartz

Richard Long is one of the most notable representatives of land art. His work explores the concepts of place, time and locality. Many of his pieces consist in leaving small prints in natural landscapes, by using rocks, dirt, clay or branches that he may find along his path. In White Quartz Ellipse, he gives shape to an ellipse using white quartz rocks in different sizes, which leave a mark on the landscape of the Botanical Garden, without significantly altering it. Long's interest in integration his work into space reveals the possibility of a respectful interaction between man and nature.

RICHARD LONG

Richard Long is one of the most notable representatives of land art.... LEARN MORE

RIVANE NEUENSCHWANDER

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL, 1967

NESTOR O DESTATUADOR (ZÉ CARIOCA Nº 13), 2003

Vinyl panels and acrylic paint on wall

The cartoon of José or Zé Carioca - a parakeet that embodies the Brazilian stereotype - was one of the many cartoons created during World War II by the Walt Disney company with the purpose of strengthening relations between the United States and some Latin American countries. The artist has appropriated these comics and has intervened, erasing the original content. His work consisted in covering the walls of the Library of the Botanical Garden with chalkboard paint of different colors, forming vignettes on which empty text balloons were arranged - which simulate those of comics - encouraging the public to write their personal stories on them.

RIVANE NEUENSCHWANDER

The cartoon of José or Zé Carioca - a parakeet that embodies the Brazilian stereotype - was one of t... LEARN MORE

SOFIA TABOAS

MEXICO CITY, 1968

ELEVATED PLATFORM WITH EXTRATERRESTRIAL PLAN, 2008

Elevated platform and glass

Sofia Taboas ironically alludes to some forms of spiritual, esoteric and mystical experiences that have emerged in contemporary society. To create this piece she took the famous geometric designs found in numerous English wheat fields as a pattern, and with these patterns she built an elevated platform that functions as a climate refuge for the spectator to occupy. The structure invites the visitor to establish a specific relationship with the sun of Sinaloa and produces a series of enigmatic amber projections that “mutate” during the day, as well as luminous circles at night.

SOFIA TABOAS

Sofia Taboas ironically alludes to some forms of spiritual, esoteric and mystical experiences that h... LEARN MORE

SUPERFLEX

COPENHAGUEN, 1993

LOST MONEY, 2009 Bjørnstjerne Reuter Christiansen

2000 Mexican coins welded with screws

In an ironic game, the Danish collective Super flex, presents these coins attached to the ground as a treasure that is impossible to take and has lost its value.

SUPERFLEX

In an ironic game, the Danish collective Super flex, presents these coins attached to the ground as ... LEARN MORE

TERCERUNQUINTO

OUNDED IN MONTERREY, MEXICO IN 1998; JULIO CASTRO, 1976; GABRIEL CAZARES, 1978; ROLANDO FLORES, 1975

RUINS / NEW ARCHITECTURE, 2011

N/A

Tercerunquinto collective's project for the Botanical Garden involves design, landscape architecture and sculptural processes. Your job is to use the waste that was generated during the garden remodeling process to form mounds and place them back to their home area. The area can be used by visitors as a space for rest and recreation; It also offers the possibility of generating reflections through the coexistence of recycled materials from a ruin with the forms of a new architectural model.

TERCERUNQUINTO

Tercerunquinto collective's project for the Botanical Garden involves design, landscape architecture... LEARN MORE

TERESA MARGOLLES

CULIACAN, MEXICO, 1963

UNTITLED, 2006

Concrete, salt water used to clean corpses

Teresa Margolles is known for her controversial work linked to the process of death. Through several concrete lounge chairs she made for the Garden, the artist references the social mourning process and growing violence that is going on in the economic and cultural environment of our country. The water with which the mixture was prepared for the emptying of these six concrete sunbeds is the same with which victims' bodies were cleaned in the city morgue. In this way -shocking for many- the artist invites us to reflect on the violence and crime that inhabits Mexico.

TERESA MARGOLLES

Teresa Margolles is known for her controversial work linked to the process of death.... LEARN MORE

VALESKA SOARES

BELO HORIZONTE, BRASIL, 1957

Capricho, 2004

Marble, water, Bauhinia blakeana tree, aromatic Ja

Valeska Soares is a key figure in the Brazilian art scene that emerged during the 1990s. For the making of this architectural work - a sanctuary for contemplation - Soares incorporated a water mirror into the landscape. At the end of the extensive construction corridor we may find a tree that shelters a perfectly sculpted marble bed with its shadow. The poetic force of this set of structural elements is reinforced by the wall of aromatic plants that rises along the perimeter.

VALESKA SOARES

Valeska Soares is a key figure in the Brazilian art scene that emerged during the 1990s.... LEARN MORE

JENNIFER ALLORA & GUILLERMO CALZADILLA

1974, Philadelphia, USA. 1971, Havana, Cuba

Untitled, 2008

Carved wood

Since 1995, Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla have worked together to create complex associations between objects and their possible meanings. The piece that is found in the Botanical Garden of Culiacan is a sculpture of a woman’s leg incorporated to a tree. The seductive extremity is peaking out through it and inviting the visitor to move forward and discover it as a whole. The wood carving aims to be another branch, or a prosthesis about to come alive.

JENNIFER ALLORA & GUILLERMO CALZADILLA

Carved wood... LEARN MORE

CONTEMPORARY ART

WORKS INSTALLED

WORKS INSTALLED

ADRIAN VILLAR ROJAS

ADRIAN VILLAR ROJAS

DAN GRAHAM

DAN GRAHAM

DIANA THATER

DIANA THATER

FRANCIS ALŸS

FRANCIS ALŸS

GABRIEL OROZCO

GABRIEL OROZCO

JAMES TURRELL

JAMES TURRELL

JAVIER MARÍN

JAVIER MARÍN

JULIAN OPIE

JULIAN OPIE

KIYOTO OTA

KIYOTO OTA

MARCO ROUNTREE

MARCO ROUNTREE

MARCOS RAMIREZ ERRE

MARCOS RAMIREZ ERRE

OLAFUR ELIASSON

OLAFUR ELIASSON

PABLO VARGAS LUGO

PABLO VARGAS LUGO

PEDRO REYES

PEDRO REYES

RICHARD LONG

RICHARD LONG

RIVANE NEUENSCHWANDER

RIVANE NEUENSCHWANDER

SOFIA TABOAS

SOFIA TABOAS

SUPERFLEX

SUPERFLEX

TERCERUNQUINTO

TERCERUNQUINTO

TERESA MARGOLLES

TERESA MARGOLLES

VALESKA SOARES

VALESKA SOARES

JENNIFER ALLORA & GUILLERMO CALZADILLA

JENNIFER ALLORA & GUILLERMO CALZADILLA