MATTER AND ALCHEMY: 70 YEARS OF PERUVIAN ART AT MAC LIMA
MAC Lima has inaugurated Contemporáneo 1. Materia :: Alchemy :: Device :: Flow, an exhibition poised to become a landmark for contemporary art in Peru. The show, the first in a series of biennial exhibitions based on the museum's collection, brings together the work of over 100 local contemporary artists.
Spanning from the early 20th century to the present day, the selection highlights the richness and diversity of the cultural processes that shape contemporary Peru. The oldest piece in the collection is Paisaje (1943) by Mario Urteaga, while the most recent is El poder del Ampiri. El varón de la shiringa, el cauchero del arte (2024) by Brus Rubio.
With a carefully designed curatorial proposal led by Jorge Villacorta and Augusto Del Valle—Head of Curatorship and Exhibitions at MAC Lima—this exhibition underscores the creativity and sensitivity of artists in response to unique historical, social, and material contexts. It also references the origins of the Instituto de Arte Contemporáneo (IAC), which will celebrate its 70th anniversary in June 2025, alongside themes such as folk art, photography, and new media. This is the first time this selection has been presented in MAC Lima's history, made possible by loans from collectors and generous donations from artists.
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Zona Centro. Cortesía del MAC Lima
Contemporáneo 1. Materia :: Alchemy :: Device :: Flow unfolds across four conceptual axes that invite visitors to reflect on the dynamics that shape cultural identity. The first section, IAC Zone, is dedicated to the history of the Instituto de Arte Contemporáneo between 1955 and 1972. The second section, Radicality & Resistance, features pieces that challenge the aesthetic values of the IAC era. The third section, Center, presents multiple creative paths that together form a cultural, social, and geographic landscape. The final section, Reference & Postmodernity, focuses on the emergence of contemporary art practices beginning in the 1980s, exploring devices and processes such as photo-silkscreen and the appropriation of iconic images.
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Zona Radicalidad & resistencia. Cortesía de MAC Lima
This exhibition celebrates the richness of a diverse and multicultural Peru, showcasing artworks that emerge from a dialogue between tradition and contemporaneity. Visitors will encounter paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, videos, and short films—offering a multifaceted vision of the contemporary. Over the course of its two-year run, the exhibition will feature a public program of guided tours, workshops, and talks with participating artists, reinforcing the museum's commitment to education and inclusive access to art.
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