I think that the Jumex Collection has some of the finest contemporary works around. However, most people agreed that the exhibition Poule!, though it proclaimed to being disparate in its selection of works and have no real theme, was too disconnected. The show did not feel curated at all; it seemed like just a random sampling from the collection and therefore the works didn’t necessarily dialogue with each other. The term “Poule” comes from trapshooting when the term “pull” is used. French and Belgians interpreted it as “poule,” the curator writes, but what that has to do with the works on view by artists such as Francis Alÿs, Miriam Backstrom, Slater Bradley, John McCracken, Hannah Wilke, and Oscar Muñoz, I could not figure out. I did like that the gorgeous space was not overhung. In particular, each work in the main gallery had its own space and felt fresh.

Marco Rountree Cruz

This wall of photographs displaying red smiley faces on every figure made me laugh. I found it refreshing that the artist did not take himself too seriously. It reminded me of Baldessari but more playful. I love the simple presentation of the photos lined up side by side and taped to the wall in a long line.

Miriam Bäckström

This was the most beautiful installation. Held between two sheets of glass, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the photographs in both black and white and color with varying shades of light and shadow.

Lawrence Carroll

Like a dilapidated Judd, this work by  Carroll drew me over for closer inspection.

installation by Daniel Guzman

Installation by Guzman

This narrow hallway was lined with ephemera and tchotchkes and I found the installation quite intriguing. There was also an Urs Fischer crushed cigarette carton suspended from a wire that traveled around in a circle, a video by Francis Alÿs of his tracking of a storm, and some precious wear cups perched on a ledge by George Stoll that one could almost miss if engaged by other works.

Jumex party

This year, rather than heading out to the infamous Jumex party at the actual plant, the party was held in the historic district in a gorgeous building near the Zócalo. It did not disappoint–a good time was had by all–as well as a lot of tequila!