The Grotto is an experimental opera inspired by a story by Clotilde Jiménez, focusing on themes of migration, spirituality, and autonomy. It draws from real events from the artist's wife's childhood in La Garra, Guerrero, Mexico, exploring the impact of colonialism on rural towns and questioning its lasting effects. The exhibition juxtaposes Catholic beliefs with Nahua traditions, highlighting the struggle against historical and contemporary forms of oppression, such as border relations between Mexico and the United States. Jiménez introduces the concept of "mesofuturism" to envision the future through a Mesoamerican cultural lens.
The opera combines theater with video and performance, featuring two acts and a dance of three nations—Spain, Mexico, and the United States—presented from multiple perspectives to challenge traditional opera forms. Collaborating with composer Javier Antonio Bellato, Jiménez utilizes sound and movement as tools for remembrance and new ways of perception.
Exhibition dates: October 26 - November 24, 2024
