This activation brings Alan Sierra’s installation piece, Juegos Florales, to life. It serves as a stage for a contest in which a master of ceremonies, played by the artist himself, will give speeches and hand out awards, as is done in contests organized by institutions. The aim is to highlight the tensions and contradictions existing around sponsorships, representation, and the production of poetry.

The piece is based on the literary competitions held since the Middle Ages to recognize the best poet in a region. In some places, the jury awarded a golden rose as the prize. In Mexico, these types of contests continue on as government initiatives that link cultural production with political objectives. This work proposes some modifications, like an open mic for people interested in sharing their poems—dismantling traditional contest logic and competition dynamics. Instead of roses, Sierra will hand out brass sculptures that represent the chamomile flower, which is associated with patience, simplicity, and humility.

Duration: 1 h