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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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