Ernest Urtason contributed further to the political and cultural rapprochement between Spain and Mexico last March in opening the final part of the exhibition. World legend. Women in indigenous Mexico. Opening all its rooms to the public at the National Archaeological Museum (MAN) in Madrid, this chapter continues the reportage of more than 400 objects of pre-Hispanic art unfolding in three other cultural sites in the capital. The Minister of Culture said during the presentation of the exhibition titled, “We must not be afraid of the words that unite us and bring us closer. Words like dialogue, like tolerance, meeting, brotherhood. Because all of these words bring us closer and improve our lives.” Human scale. In this way, Urtasun resumed the words of relief uttered by José Manuel Albarez, Spanish Foreign Minister, at the end of October during the grand opening of the exhibitions.
“The shared history between Spain and Mexico, like all of human history, is clear. There is pain and injustice in the indigenous villages. Hobo injustice, just reconocerlo and lamentalo. This is part of our common history, which we cannot deny or forget,” says Albarís. The Spanish government was the champion of the most important step in the two countries’ approach after relations improved when former President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador in 2019 called on the king to request pardon for the failures of the invasion.
Urtasun was able to understand how women, in different political and social systems, in front of men, in indigenous communities, in front of other dominant cultures, “saw their voices as obscured, desolate, and even suppressed during a period of isolation.” Therefore, “to talk about decolonizing historical and musical discourses and reports,” the minister continued, “it must be done precisely with this mission, responsibility, concern, respect and real approach to realities that have been silenced, violated or outright ignored for too long.”
In this part, it is revealed to the man. Human scaleThe aim is to claim the everyday sphere associated with women and show how women undertake basic functions such as education, care, development of textiles and ceramics, food preparation or transmission of rituals and community knowledge. How do these activities hold these communities together socially and collaborate in shaping their identity? But also, said Adriana Velázquez, the exhibition’s scientific advisor, there are places of power in public space that they occupied as warriors, priests and rulers.
Urtasun concluded by saying: “That is why this exhibition is more than just a physical collection. It is in itself an act of survey, through which we restore cultures, knowledges and identities that have been unjustly relegated to their central place. A deep and real survey, which does not avoid highlighting the responsibilities in the historical perpetuation of these inequalities.”
The race began against the clock to reach the opening ceremony at the end of 2024, when the first communications between the two countries began in Mexico with the reason for holding the Guadalajara Book Fair, indicating that Spain is the invited country. Months later, in February, and with Sheinbaum’s prior order to hand over all the work, planning work began in which decades of cultural and governmental institutions from both countries participated, led by Commissioner Karina Romero. This type of exhibition can be organized at least two years in advance. In this case, it’s been a few months.
The works arrived in Madrid last October 22, and were distributed by the Thyssen Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and the Cervantes Institute. On October 31, all museums were opened, except for the Museum of Man which, due to the large number of activities included – more than 200 – required more time. The show can be watched until March 22. Previously, on October 8, part of the Casa de Mexico building was inaugurated.
“This is another opportunity to share the greatness of indigenous cities and the wealth of women’s heritage,” said Quirino Ordaz, Mexico’s ambassador to Spain. “We must build on respect and admiration to build a more just and humane future, and also be aware of the wealth that comes from diversity.”