The Grotto. An Opera in Two Acts

 The Grotto, on view at Museo Jumex from October 26 to December 1, 2024, is an experimental opera by artist Clotilde Jiménez. It weaves a narrative rooted in her wife's childhood experiences in La Garra, Guerrero, exploring themes of migration, spirituality, and autonomy. The work critiques the enduring impacts of colonialism on rural communities, highlighting the clash between Catholicism and Nahua traditions, and examining modern oppressions, particularly in the context of U.S.-Mexico border relations.

 

Through the lens of mesofuturism, Jiménez envisions a future informed by Mesoamerican culture. The opera, a collaboration with composer and sound designer Javier Antonio Bellato, combines theater, video, and performance, presenting two acts alongside a dance that reflects the interconnected histories of Spain, Mexico, and the United States. The exhibition invites audiences to engage with sound and movement as new ways of remembering and perceiving reality.