MADE IN Mexico

The art fair Zonamaco debuted 20 years ago. Szuce then, its helped Mexico City transform.

When brothers Rafael, Moisés, and Jaime W Micha, along with Carlos Couturier, opened Hotel Habita in Mexico City in 2000, the partners were introducing an art-focused hotel in a city that was not yet, but would soon be, an international art destination. At the time, the contemporary art scene was very much underground, featuring artists like Francis Alys and Gabriel Orozco. The now powerful Kurimanzutto gallery was newly opened. Now crowds traverse the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood on Thursday afternoons, stopping at Galería RGR, Labor, and Galería de Arte Mexicano. Museo Jumex, founded by Eugenio López Alonso, who holds the largest private contemporary art collection in Latin America, recently celebrated its 10th year.

This month, Mexico City will welcome over 77,000 attendees, including gallerists, art dealers, and collectors, for the 20th anniversary of Zonamaco.

The largest art fair in Latin America, it has helped the booming metropolis become a leader in the global contemporary art scene. "Back then, nobody wanted to come to Mexico," recalls Zonamaco founder Zélika García.