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The unique entry way at the CIM (Photo courtesy)
The Cultural Institute of Mexico technically is a museum…but take a closer look
In 1958, diversity in the San Antonio art world was simpler and gentler. Following a coup of sorts by the Consulate General of Mexico to display “a gallery of Mexican art,” the mission of the Institute of Mexico in the Alamo City was born.
Although it now goes by the Cultural Institute of Mexico (CIM), the mission is the same, but the 51 years of the country exporting visual art, cinema and literature to the rest of the world has made the task of displaying it that much more exciting. The job of assuring the dissemination of the Mexican culture in its many forms falls on the director of the institute, Gabriela Franco Palafox.
“What we are showing is what is happening now in Mexico,” pointed out Palafox. “Culture is everything that’s happening today. It is visual art, music, cinema and it all tells about what is happened. For instance we are planning on celebrating Mexican independence as well as the Mexican Revolution.”
Being charged with staying on the pulse of an entire national cultural identity is something that does not come easy for most traditional museums…but this is no traditional museum. The CIM has the rare distinction of answering directly to the General Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. If the title has an omnibus quality to it, that is because it actually does.
The CIM joins a short list of institutes in the United States that has its resources and obligations. Their big brother just happens to reside in Washington D.C. So how did this multilevel, minimalist-inspired edifice get to be the brainchild of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? You could call it a gift to the Mexican Government in 1972 care of Mayor of San Antonio.
“All culture is a celebration. The idea is that we have been here for more than 50 year and we have been working to promote the Mexican culture. That includes young people like artists, writer and musicians,” continued Palafox.
Amid the bustle of patrons arriving for an Alamo City mainstay in the 2009 San Antonio Film Festival, the 100 directors screening their films and four live music acts are testament to the growing clout of the CIM. That becomes a unique feat considering the festival only runs from June 25 to June 28. Yet this seemingly break-neck speed of events is everything but that for as busy as the CIM is these days. They have managed to balance the showing of numerous internationally award winning films and a full slate of traveling exhibits.
“I am not surprised the talent continually coming out of Mexico,” admitted Palafox. “I have been around these talented young people. The Mexican government has to be invested in the scholarships to train outside of the country. When [these artists] return, they can combine they’re talents to compare with the art in places like Europe and New York.”
Given her years in art and government, Palafox has not been immune to budget constraints and plans going awry. What seems to be economic stubble everywhere has eventually trickled down to augment CIM plans. Nonetheless, that has not stopped the institute from hosting Friday night dance classes in their annex, film screening not unlike the 2009 San Antonio Film Festival or booking a showcase of 21 artists from the Mexican locale of Nuevo León entitled “Nuevo León: Three Generation.”
“Where we would like to go is to bring more Mexican artists,” Palafox ambitiously noted. “I would like to promote them here in San Antonio. I would like to bring out the best qualities in our artists; maybe it may not touch everyone, but we hope to bring those of the highest quality.”
Among the upcoming events include the conclusion of the 2009 San Antonio Film Festival with complete listings at www.safilm.com and several consecutive exhibits all listed at www.saculturamexico.org.
www.saculturamexico.org
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