The annual celebration of all things orchid was back! This year, the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, part of the Consulate General of Mexico, sponsored this vibrant journey to Mexico with The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism at the NYBG. This stunning fusion of tradition and contemporary artistry featured inspiring orchid displays that highlighted Mexico’s rich landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant cultures.
Inspired by the bold, colorful designs of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, the exhibition showcased magnificent orchid arrangements set in tropical-inspired environments, brought to life with thousands of beautiful blooms. Visitors didn’t have to travel far to experience this tropical beauty—simply stepping into the lush surroundings of the Bronx. It was an unforgettable celebration of orchids and culture!
As every year, the Garden also provided the famous "Orchid Nights." These nights brought the vibrant beats of Mexican Cumbia music, with cumbia sonidera dance parties featuring a DJ, professional dancers, and a celebration of traditional tracks and modern influences that created an immersive dance experience.
Last but not least, the NY Botanical Garden provided the Ross Gallery for the Homage: To Luis Barragán: An Act of Poetry exhibition by Mexican photographer Martirene Alcántara. Martirene Alcántara has been photographing Luis Barragán’s architecture for over 25 years. In Barragán’s masterfully designed spaces, Alcántara creates ethereal images that capture the permanence of architecture and the ephemeral nature of light.
In An Act of Poetry, the artist strips away extraneous visual elements, leaving behind only the pure essence of the subject. As The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism celebrates Barragán’s pioneering vision of modernism, Alcántara’s abstract photography provokes imaginative new perspectives on the architectural poetry of Barragán’s work.
Martirene Alcántara is a Mexican-American visual artist. As the daughter of two fine art painters, she grew up surrounded by the world of visual art, embracing photography as her medium. Her work is often described as “a convergence zone between photography and painting.” With an emphasis on lines and rhythm, she finds intimacy in her art.
