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.

 

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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.

 

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

 

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the photographs were printed in inkjet printing on dibond panel

 

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

 

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

 

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adriaan schalkwijk with the quetzalcóatl fotográfico

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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head section

 

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mid section

 

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tail section

 

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

 

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the assembled structure weights 785 kg

 

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

 

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the shadows cast by the installation form an iconic serpent shape

 

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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