Sunday at the Museums

FIrst, I have to share with you the best place to have a drink with a view in Mexico City. At the corner of Madera and the Zocalo is the Majestic Hotel. If you go up to the 7th floor, you can have dinner or just a drink in the bar and enjoy the best view in the city. I was expecting to be hit with a pretty stiff bar bill. To my surprise, a beer at the Majestic cost only $30MEX or about $2.50US. This is a deal! Check out the view of the cathedral.

A bar with a view! Upstairs in the Majestic Hotel.

One day a week, most museums have free admission. Sunday happens to be the day most of them use. However, free doesn't always mean free for everyone. At my first stop this morning at the Templo Mayor ruins next to the cathedral, I didn't pass as a national. Therefore, it wasn't going to be free for me. Nonetheless, I knew there would be other more generous spots welcoming the tourist. My first stop turned out to be the Palacio de Bellas Artes near Alemada Park (currently under reconstruction to replace all of the sidewalks inside the park).

Palacio de Bellas Artes

The museum that was begun in 1905, is a wonderful example of art nouveau architecture. I was particularly taken by the Maya Choc masks at the top of each of the vertical light panels.

Choc mask - art nouveau style!

However, my main reason for checking out the Fine Arts Museum today was to revisit a couple of favorite murals that I hadn't seen since one of my first visits to DF. Located on the third floor is Rivera's 1934 mural of Man at the Crossroads. Originally, this mural was commissioned for New York's Rockefeller Center. But, due to controversial material in the mural depicting capitalism accompanied by war and socialism shown with health and peace, that mural was destroyed shortly after it was completed. Fortunately, Rivera was commissioned to recreate it here on the west wall of the museum.

Central detail of Crossroads

Four floor to ceiling paintings of Rivera's entitled Carnival of Mexican Life can be found on the same floor. Other murals by Tomayo, Sigueiros, and Orozco also cover the walls of the Palacio.

Rivera's Carnival (1935)

Between museums today, I was able to take in a dual piano recital at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildofonso. Yes, this is the same spot where I shared with you the Rivera mural The Creation a few days ago. What a great setting for a concert. The music was a Canadian/Mexican project where music representing the two countries has showcased. To listen to such good music in the shadow of Rivera's masterpiece was one of this trip's highlights.

Sunday afternoon concert! Wow!

 

Although there was more museum hopping today, I think that I will share my visit to the Diego Rivera Mural Museum in a later blog.

 

Tomorrow: Goat Tacos and Zumba?