quetzalcoatl fotografico photo exhibition in mexico city

quetzalcóatl fotográfico photo exhibition in mexico city

quetzalcóatl fotográfico (QF) is a traveling photographic exhibition for public spaces. the installation designed by adriaan schalkwijk was inspired by the diverse representations of quetzalcoatl – a mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the nahuatl language, and means ‘feathered serpent’. QF is currently on show at mexico city’s anthropology museum – until the 28th of april 2014.

quetzalcóatl fotográfico (QF) installed at mexico city’s anthropology museum

QF’s plumage allows vistors to discover mexico; a place of uneven color and texture, where diversity meets harmony in a torrent of nuances captured through the eyes of three photographers: bob schalkwijk, pim schalkwijk and alfredo martínez fernández. the photographs, some of which comprise more than half a century, capture the natural and cultural wealth of the country in its various expressions.

it consists of 322 photographs and 2 mirrors (used to represent the eyes) measuring .60 m. x .40 m. each

the photographs were printed in inkjet printing on dibond panel

it showcases the work of three photographers: bob schalkwijk, pim schalkwijk and alfredo martínez fernández

the photographs capture the natural and cultural wealth of the country in its various expressions.

adriaan schalkwijk with the quetzalcóatl fotográfico

QF has a 13 module structure which includes a head module, a body of 11 modules and a tail module

the structure measures 2.10 m. from ground level and can be mounted on the ground or hung from the ceiling

the total width can vary between 2 and 8 meters depending on how it is assembled

the total length of the installation is between 25 and 30 meters long

head section

mid section

tail section

the manufacture of the structure is made of round tubular steel finished in electrostatic painting

the assembled structure weights 785 kg

QF was first exhibited in museo regional de yucatan ‘palacio canton’ in merida, mexico

the shadows cast by the installation form an iconic serpent shape

project credits:

installation design: adriaan schalkwijk
photography: bob schalkwijk, alfredo martínez fernández, pim schalkwijk
design collaborators: rodrigo da silva, sara pérez huerta
visual communication: maría calderón, daniela correa
documentation: gina rodríguez
texts: fátima khayar cámara
translations: myfanwy seijas
photography collaborators: andrea villela, pamela castillo
logistics: javier tinoco, manuel espinoza
sponsorship: conaculta, INBA – instituto nacional de bellas artes, proyectos de inversión en la producción de pintura nacional, INAH – instituto nacional de antropología e historia