Mexico: UnlakeCity

The exhibition at the Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin alludes to the transformation and “urban dehydration” that took place over the centuries in the valley of Mexico.

Aedes Architecture Forum, “UNLAKECITY”, 2017

“UNLAKECITY – where there was a lake, now there is a city”, is an exhibition that focuses on the geography and the architecture of Mexico City, from the past to the present, concentrating in two important key subjects: water and the construction of public space.

**Top:** Aedes Architecture Forum, “UNLAKECITY”, 2017. C13 Studio, Monumento a la Revolución. **Above:** Productora, Culture Fair 2014, photo Luis Gallardo, LGM Studio

“The situation in Mexico is more or less that of Venice. The only difference between them is that Venice is built on the sea and Mexico on a lake.” This is how Thomas Gage, a Dominican monk born in England in 1602 who arrived in 1625 to the New Spain, described Mexico City. Today, Mexico is the most populous metropolis in America. At two thousand meters above the sea level, it is surrounded by mountains that overpass the three thousand meters of altitude.

Taller13, Viaducto Río Piedad, future project

Curated by Miquel Adrià and Alejandro Hernández Gálvez, the exhibition’s title alludes to the transformation that took place over the centuries in the valley of Mexico. The term references to un lago, a lake and unlake, the process of disappearance of the lake through a constant “urban dehydration”. The exhibition is divided in two sections: “There was a lake” and “Now there is a city”. The first section reflects on the meaning of water within the context of the city. The second section shows projects of public space, not only understood as squares or parks, but including cultural buildings and public institutions, such as museums, schools, markets and hospitals.

AMET, Culture Fair 2016, photo Jaime Navarro & Rafael Gamo

The exhibition was conceived in the Dual Year between Mexico and Germany. The Dual Year was established to foster mutual understanding, deepen collaboration and endorse exchanges amid both societies that enable to jointly face the XXI century global challenges.

Team 730, Mercado de la Merced, future project

until 21 March 2017
UNLAKECITY – where there was a lake, now there is a city
curated by Miquel Adrià and Alejandro Hernández
Aedes Architecture Forum
Christinenstr. 18-19, Berlin
Germany

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Mexico: UnlakeCity

The exhibition at the Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin alludes to the transformation and “urban dehydration” that took place over the centuries in the valley of Mexico.

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