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Adeline de Monseignat's Mexico City Picks

01 Mar 2022

Adeline de Monseignat has been particularly inspired by Mexico for a few years now – she fell in love with the country as she was falling in love with her now-husband, Pablo de Laborde Lascaris.

It's hard not to: Mexico is filled with cultural and archaeological gems. As a sculptor, it has been the ideal place to expand her practice, with its rich variety of marbles and travertines. The Dutch-Monegask artist has created a powerful and symbolic body of work that both appeals to the senses and rejects being fully taken in by them. De Monseignat's Hairy Eye Ball works invite to the touch, but their impenetrable glass shell prevents one from feeling their softness. Her Seed Stack takes the humble corn seed and blows it up to a monumental scale, transforming plumpness into hard marble.

Adeline moved to Mexico City with her husband and newborn son in 2021. These are her insider tips to the city’s vast cultural scene.

Adeline at Studio Block M74, Mexico © Devin Blaskovich, 2020
Adeline at Studio Block M74, Mexico © Devin Blaskovich, 2020
Masa Galeria is a nomadic gallery that encourages contemporary artists, like myself, to think about functionality within their practice and encourages designers to think about the artistic value within their work.
Masa Galeria is a nomadic gallery that encourages contemporary artists, like myself, to think about functionality within their practice and encourages designers to think about the artistic value within their work.
From its impressive architecture to the richness of its pre-Hispanic collection, The Museum of Anthropology might well be one of the top reasons why I moved to Mexico.
From its impressive architecture to the richness of its pre-Hispanic collection, The Museum of Anthropology might well be one of the top reasons why I moved to Mexico.
Studio Block M74 is Mexico City’s only sculpture hub, with 6 artist studios, a library dedicated to sculpture, two exhibition spaces and a rooftop with spectacular views. My husband Pablo de Laborde Lascaris founded it 4 years ago.
Studio Block M74 is Mexico City’s only sculpture hub, with 6 artist studios, a library dedicated to sculpture, two exhibition spaces and a rooftop with spectacular views. My husband Pablo de Laborde Lascaris founded it 4 years ago.
Proyectos Monclova is a contemporary art gallery with a very interesting programme. Théo Mercier’s 2021 solo ‘The Ballad of Disaster’ was particularly striking.
Proyectos Monclova is a contemporary art gallery with a very interesting programme. Théo Mercier’s 2021 solo ‘The Ballad of Disaster’ was particularly striking.
Casa Orgánica by Javier Senosiain is a house without a single straight line or corner that gives you the sensation of walking within the walls of a womb, which I very suitably visited last year while pregnant.
Casa Orgánica by Javier Senosiain is a house without a single straight line or corner that gives you the sensation of walking within the walls of a womb, which I very suitably visited last year while pregnant.
Contramar has a great atmosphere. Order the French fries and their Tostadas de atún. They are the best in town.
Contramar has a great atmosphere. Order the French fries and their Tostadas de atún. They are the best in town.
The pyramids of Teotihuacan are the largest and most spectacular pre-hispanic archaeological site in Mexico City. Laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. Go bright and early to avoid crowds and the scorching heat.
The pyramids of Teotihuacan are the largest and most spectacular pre-hispanic archaeological site in Mexico City. Laid out on geometric and symbolic principles. Go bright and early to avoid crowds and the scorching heat.
Espacio Escultorico UNAM is a collaboration between 6 sculptors of which the main monumental sculpture alone is worth experiencing, let alone all the various other pieces by each of the artists.
Espacio Escultorico UNAM is a collaboration between 6 sculptors of which the main monumental sculpture alone is worth experiencing, let alone all the various other pieces by each of the artists.
When in San Miguel Chapultepec, stop by La Galeria Café for a quick vegan tamale or two (a traditional Mexican corn-based dish). These are most scrumptious tamales in town, even meat eaters agree.
When in San Miguel Chapultepec, stop by La Galeria Café for a quick vegan tamale or two (a traditional Mexican corn-based dish). These are most scrumptious tamales in town, even meat eaters agree.
Meroma has a lovely upper terrace where you will be fed delicious dishes, of which most of their vegetables will have been brought from a nearby farm called Rancho Tehuan, a 2-hour drive from Mexico City, also well worth a visit.
Meroma has a lovely upper terrace where you will be fed delicious dishes, of which most of their vegetables will have been brought from a nearby farm called Rancho Tehuan, a 2-hour drive from Mexico City, also well worth a visit.

Top image: Adeline at Studio Block M74, Mexico © Devin Blaskovich, 2020