Temple or museum? How Diego Rivera designed a place to honor Mexico's pre-Hispanic art
In the 1940s, Mexican artist Diego Rivera had a dream: to build a sacred place to preserve and display his lifelong collection of pre-Hispanic art
By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ
Published - Sep 08, 2024, 01:24 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 07:28 PM EST
MEXICO CITY (AP) — In the 1940s, Mexican artist Diego Rivera had a dream: to build a sacred place to preserve and display his lifelong collection of pre-Hispanic art.
The Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month, is everything he hoped for.
Inch by inch, its pyramid structure honors the Mexica worldview. Among its 60,000 archeological pieces, dozens represent ancient deities. And though foreigners visit on a regular basis, its workshops and year-round activities aim to connect the local communities to their historic roots.
“This is Diego Rivera’s dream come true: a space in which art, nature and the public coexist,” said María Teresa Moya, director of the Anahuacalli.
