Under the Mexican Sky: Gabriel Figueroa—Art and Film

(Los Angeles—August 29, 2013) The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA )and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Academy) are pleased to present Under the Mexican Sky: Gabriel Figueroa—Art and Film. The exhibition celebrates the achievements and legacy of Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa (1907-1997), a profoundly influential figure who built an enduring image of Mexico through his visual style. Recognized as one of the most important cinematographers of the twentieth century, Figueroa collaborated with a vibrant community of international painters, photographers, and printmakers—including Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and Manuel Álvarez Bravo—as well as leading directors such as Emilio Fernández, John Ford, Luis Buñuel, and John Huston. Deemed “the fourth muralist” by Diego Rivera, Figueroa forged a vision of Mexican identity and culture that resonated powerfully with Mexican and international audiences. Under the Mexican Sky features approximately 300 objects, including film sequences, paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, posters, and archival documents. Additional film, video, and photographic works by contemporary artists (including Rodrigo García, Melanie Smith and Rafael Ortega, Gonzalo Lebrija, and Juan Capistran and Mario Ybarra Jr.) reflect on Figueroa’s legacy.

Image credits: 

Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Gabriel Figueroa reviewing light tests for the film Sonatas, directed by Javier Bardem, 1959

Gabriel Figueroa Flores Archive, © Estate of Manuel Álvarez Bravo11. Ángel Corona Villa Ángel Lucero as Death and Ignacio López Tarso as Macario in a film still from Macario, 1959 © Televisa Foundation

Gabriel Figueroa, Film still from Enamorada, directed by Emilio “El Indio” Fernández, 1946 © Televisa Foundation

Attributed to Ángel Corona Villa, Film still of the caves of Cacahuamilpa from Macario, 1959 © Televisa Foundation

 

Exhibition: Under the Mexican Sky: Gabriel Figueroa—Art and Film On View: September 22, 2013– February 2, 2014 Location: Art of the Americas building, Level 1