Museum of Modern Art Mexico City in Chapultepec Park

My first full day in Mexico City I chose to visit Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno) located at Chapultepec Park. Mainly I wanted to see Frida Kahlo’s famous painting Las dos Fridas but I knew there would be other great artwork at the museum. There is also a cool outdoor sculpture garden and a cafe. For any art lover the Museum of Modern Art is the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon in Mexico City.

I walked from my apartment in nearby La Condesa neighborhood. Spending the Thanksgiving week in Mexico City was a good choice. As an art lover I couldn’t be happier, there are many quality art museums in Mexico City. Modern art is a favorite of mine even though I can’t fully explain why I enjoy looking at some of the art works.

The weather cooperated with my plans for spending much of my time walking around the city. The skies were clear most days, not a drop of rain during the whole eight days I enjoyed on my first solo trip to Mexico City.

The walk to Chapultepec park was pleasant and I was greeted at the entrance by the squirrels – they are a playful bunch. I entered the park from the south and walked up towards the Museum of Modern Art.

Museo de Arte Moderno was celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. One of the delightful exhibits – 50 años obras – featured artists from the 5 decades of its existence.

It was set up as if the artists were all seated around the viewer as they walked around the room.

Frida Kahlo’s famous painting Las dos Fridas

One of the most popular paintings at the Museo de Arte Moderno is Frida Kahlo’s famous painting Las dos Fridas. I adore Frida Kahlo. What a life she lived. There was much pain in Frida Kahlo’s life, both physical and emotional, and she expressed it through her art work.

If you are a Frida Kahlo fan I highly recommend visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan neighborhood of Mexico City.

Modern art is something I seek out in every city that I visit and Mexico City is an art lover’s paradise. There is plenty of public art and such an abundance of art museums that I only visited a fraction of them.

I will have to return to explore more of Mexico City’s vibrant art scene.

Even if you don’t want to see the art work it is worth a visit to see the grand architecture of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Los Espias del Cosmos exhibit

I enjoyed the exhibit Los Espias del Cosmos featuring the artists Patricia Soriano, Cisco Jimenez, and Helio Montiel.

 

I believe art is for the viewer to interpret individually and while I cannot fully explain why I like certain works of art, I know I enjoy the experience of viewing the work.

There are paintings and sculptures at the Blanton Museum in Austin Texas that I visit on a regular basis – still couldn’t tell you what they are about or why I love them (Rothko for example) but I am attracted to contemporary art more so than the masters.

The contemporary art in Mexico City is impressive.

 

Some of the art work is whimsical while other pieces evoke deep emotion and make a strong statements about the political climate or living conditions of the regular folks just trying to live and get by.

 

Outdoor sculpture garden at the Museum of Modern Art

The outdoor sculpture gallery features more contemporary art my Latin American artists. I recommend a stroll around the grounds to view the artwork of the outdoor gallery.

 

Cafe at Museum of Modern Art Mexico City

All the walking left me feeling hungry so I stopped in at the café on the grounds of the Museo de Arte Moderno.

There is indoor and outdoor seating at the cafe and if the weather is nice you will want to sit outside with a view of the sculpture garden.

I enjoyed the best tiramisu ever, along with a cappuccino and I was ready for more walking in marvelous Mexico City.

 

Art, cake, and coffee – what more do you need?!

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Museum of Modern Art Mexico City info

Contact information

Address: Paseo de la Reforma (nearest corner: Gandhi); located in the northeast section of the Bosque de Chapultepec

Phone Number: +52 55 5553 6233

Website: https://mam.inba.gob.mx/home.html

Hours Museum of Modern Art Mexico City

Tuesday – Sunday 10:15 am – 5:45 pm (closed Mondays)

Admission Cost

• 85 pesos
• FREE entry for students and teachers (with ID showing credentials) INAPAM with a valid credential (Mexico’s senior discount ID card Instituto Nacional para las Personas Adultas Mayores) and people with disabilities.
• FREE entrance on Sundays to everyone

Tours

Guided visits for the general public offered Tuesday – Friday at 11AM and 12PM

How to Get There

Metro: Chapulpetepec (Line 1) pink or Auditorium (Line 7) orange

Ecobici bicycle rental in Mexico City is a great way to get around for short trips

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