ART OF THE WEEK

21-27 October

Cenote is a term used in Mexico that comes from the Mayan word dzonot, meaning abyss. Cenotes are freshwater wells created by the erosion of soft and porous limestone, which in the Mayan world were life sources providing vital drinking water and also served as communication centres to make contact with the Gods. 

Cenotes by Chilean artist Magdalena Atria (b. Santiago, 1967) at Matadero Madrid attempts to transform the Abierto x Obras room into a fantastical space. The columns of the former slaughterhouse and livestock market suggest cenotes but instead of bearing water, these are surrounded by intricate and colourful plasticine geometries that connect viewers to the realms of fantasy, imagination and mystery. 

The site-specific installation is on view from 12 September 2013 - 5 January 2014.








 



 









Captions: Magadalena Atria, Cenotes, 2013