On Sunday we took the metro downtown to check out the sculpture installation “Nuestros Silencios“ (Our Silences) by Mexican sculptor Rivelino. Rivelino was born in San José de Gracia in the state of Jalisco, studied at Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts and lives and works in Mexico City. His work is part of private collections in countries around the world including in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Nuestros Silencios is currently on display in the Mexico City zócalo. The installation consists of 10 three-dimensional monumental bronze sculptures, each nearly five meters tall and weighing in at one ton, and a metallic “tactile box” that holds four smaller sculptures. The sculptures are arranged in a circle around the flagpole in the center of the plaza. The theme of the sculpture installation is freedom of speech and expression.
“Conceptually, this project of public art is an invitation to reflect on silence, in other words, it is about freedom of expression – in all its manifestations – as a universal and paradoxical theme of communication.”
For that reason, the installation must always be presented in public spaces such as parks, public squares and main avenues. Nuestros Silencios has been touring European cities since 2009. Prior to arriving in Mexico, the installation traveled to Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
Each of the enormous sculptures has a metal plate covering its mouth and features the trademark calligraphy work of the artist. The plates covering the mouths are each unique and symbolize freedom of speech and expression.
The eleventh piece of the installation, the tactile box, is meant to, “take the installation beyond the sense of sight, especially for the enjoyment of the blind public.” Inside are four small-scale replicas of the sculptures, one on each side of the box, and each with a plate covering their mouth and engraved with symbols. The replicas can be touched via openings in the steel plates that make up the exterior of the tactile box.
Nuestros Silencios will be on display in the Mexico City zócalo until November 18, 2011.
More information is available at www.nuestrossilencios.com
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Disclosure: I am being compensated for my role as a contributing writer for México Today; my opinions, as always, are my own.
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I would have not known about this art, had you not shared it with us. The theme is especially meaningful, given the silencing of many of Mexico’s journalists who have reported on drug crimes and activities. Freedom of expression and speech is vital to any democracy, and Mexico is to be commended for taking steps in that direction.
Beautiful, provocative, beautifully provocative – I actually checked flight times and costs after reading this one… Nuestros Silencios – something to see, for sure!
It’s definitely something to see. The first time I stumbled across it I wasn’t sure what it was all about. I came home, did some research and then went back to check it out a second time. I’m not sure if it travels anywhere else after Mexico City…
Great to learn about public art installations like this. Thanks for sharing!
So interesting and beautiful!
I love hearing about installations such as this! It looks amazing!
You inspire me to travel! We live in Texas and should be taking advantage of all that Mexico has to offer! stumbled!
You definitely should! You’re so close!
I had never heard of this before — very cool!