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Places to See: Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum

Mexico City is sprawling and crowded, energy vibrantly courses through the Metropolis’ avenidas and calles. However the modern and spacious architecture of the Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum offers a stark contrast. Although equally as vivid, the energy here is reserved and collected. One can’t help but admire the museum’s form as much as the work it contains. Also known as Museo Tamayo, it is the second place we visit on our packed Mexican agenda. Click Read More for additional information and photography. Written by Anthony Smyrski

The early morning sun gloriously lights the main hall. We meet our guide here, a smartly dressed man named Tobias Ostrander. Mr. Ostrander is the curator of contemporary art at the museum, and he swiftly takes us on a tour of the galleries. A highlight of the trip is the retrospective examining the branding and graphics of the 1968 Olympics, held in Mexico City. Unfortunately we have a long day ahead, and there is only enough time for the quick overview and to order a coffee from the gracious staff in the café. We bid Mr. Ostrander farewell and depart for our next destination.

The Museo Tamayo was completed in 1981, and houses the fabulous collection of the Rufino family. Soon after it was donated to the state of Mexico, and now belongs to its people. While in Mexico City please do not miss the opportunity to share in this gift. The museum is one of the city’s greatest repositories of culture and ideas; be sure a visit is on your itinerary.