The opening of "La nada y el ser" last night at the Jumex plant was a satisfying success. Shamim Momin's show looks solid, and naturally left some people hot and some people cold. Among the artists represented: Sam Durant, Gabriel Kuri, Alex Hubbard, Eduardo Abaroa, Terrence Koh, Miguel Calderón, Banks Violette, Marco Roundtree Cruz, Monica Bonvicini, Daniel Guzmán, Francis Alÿs, Felix González-Torres, Moris, Jim Hodges, Minerva Cuevas, Robert Smithson, and others.
Eugenio Lopez -- though he rarely makes an appearance in the main hall among the plebians -- is a consummate host. This opening's party set-up was more elegantly designed than previous ones, with extravagant flower arrangements and table service during dinner. People danced, and drank. A lot.
The whole Jumex experience is a dizzying reminder that contemporary art is all about big money, big names, big ideas, and big spending. But one must always keep in mind that the aesthetic is at its essence a flat principle: personally I spent a good deal of time last night mesmerized by this cosmic geometry table ornament.
* More later.
