The Two Faces of Mexico opens at the Helsinki Design Museum 29 September 2006 - 14 January 2007.

Mexican culture is a fascinating mix of different influences, combining the way of life and art of the European conquistadors with the millennia-old heritage of the indigenous peoples. It has produced an artistically magnificent, versatile and unique tradition of craftsmanship and applied art that is without parallel. The Two Faces of Mexico, Design Museum’s main exhibition for the autumn 2006, is a colour-drenched journey into the heart of Mexico, areas such as Oaxaca, Chihuahua and Chiapas, famous for their heritage of applied arts.

The exhibition features the collections of two famous Mexican collectors. On show for the first time outside Mexico is the anthropologist and photographer Ruth D. Lechuga’s unique collection of the country’s indigenous cultures. Ruth D. Lechuga was an Austrian physician who fled the Second World War to Mexico in 1939. She soon ceased to practise medicine and concentrated on collecting the culture of the Indians. For over fifty years, Lechuga travelled around the country, accumulating a collection of Indian crafts and applied art. This material includes the world’s largest collection of skilfully made masks used in different religious rituals and celebrations and reflecting the variety, richness and colourful nature of Mexican culture. Selected for the Design Museum exhibition are 500 masks in addition to hand-woven sarape cloths, embroidered textiles, fine lacquerwork, ceramics, items for celebrating the Day of the Dead, etc. The photographs taken by Lechuga of Indian rituals and traditions during her fieldwork are valuable additions to the image of Mexican culture.

Another aspect of Mexican culture is provided by the collection of Franz Mayer 1882-1975). Mayer was a German businessman, who moved to Mexico in 1905 and made his fortune there as a stockbroker. His collection presents the traditions of art and craftsmanship introduced and maintained by the Spanish in Mexico. In these traditions, features from the indigenous peoples merged with European artefact forms and techniques. The Mayer collection contains artefacts from the period of Spanish rule (1521-1821), including work in silver, gold, mother-of-pearl, leather and lacquer.  

The Two Faces of Mexico will include a published book and a series of lectures presenting the art and culture of Mexico in broader perspective. The museum shop will offer a wide range of Mexican applied art products.

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