The Embassy of Mexico is holding two events in Bangkok to commemorate the 207th anniversary of Mexico's independence, which fell on Sept 16.
"Drawn Lines" is the first solo exhibition in the city by award-winning Mexican artist Natalia Ludmila who, moved by the current European migration crisis, takes viewers to explore the fragility of the human condition while in this transitory state. It will be held at Cho Why Gallery, Nana 17, Charoen Krung Road, from Friday to Sept 30.
The exhibition focuses on the gruelling journeys spent at sea or on land while fully exposed to perils and natural elements. The artist's interest lies in depicting the disquiet experienced by many migrants while in prolonged and indefinite stays in makeshift centres and camps as well as portraying major migration routes employed in the endeavour to reach other horizons.
On show will be several large-size watercolour paintings and a video piece. The works on paper explore migration in North Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and Central America. The video uses Google Maps as a creative tool by tracing a walking route along the Mexico-US border with multiple crowd-sourced images of the urban sprawl on each side being shown. It questions the arbitrary, man-made nature of borders and the building of the proposed wall.
Then, get to learn more about Mexican culture through a selection of two contemporary Mexican films and 12 short films which will be screened also at Cho Why Gallery this Saturday and Sunday.
The "Mexican Film Series" will kick off with the Mexican drama Burros (Donkeys) directed by Odin Salazar Flores this Saturday at 5pm, followed by Generacion Spielberg (Generation Spielberg) by Gibran Bazan, at 7pm. Both are in Spanish and have English subtitles.
The Sunday programme will present 12 short films, each lasting around 10 minutes, starting at 5pm. They are El Modelo De Pickman, Bingo, Carnitas, El Don De Los Espejos, Ramona, El Maestro Y La Flor, Los Contreras Family, El Necio, La Carta, La Despedida, La Ultima Cena and La Vida Es Un Rocanrol. All are in Spanish with English subtitles.
There is no entry fee to both events. Visit facebook.com/embamextai.
A scene from El Maestro Y La Flor. Embassy of Mexico
