They recognize the legacy of the dancer Guillermo Arriaga

Guillermo Arriaga: Living Dance Archiveexhibition that houses the National Arts Center (CENART), highlights the artistic contribution of the Mexican dancer and choreographer, its interaction with other professionals, such as the teacher Cora Cora Flores, and the cultural impact of her work.

The exhibition, which can be visited until March 27 in the Library of the Arts of the CENART, brings together a careful selection of photographs, documents and objects that are part of the Guillermo Arriaga documentary fund, donated to the National Center for Research, Documentation and Information of the José Limón dance in 2014.

Guillermo Arriaga Fernández (1926-2014) was a prominent dancer, choreographer, artistic director, official, cultural and producer promoter. His legacy in the national dance is imposing, and his contribution to scenic creation and cultural promotion is invaluable.

In an interview with The dayAaron Lozano Aguilar, Documentation Coordinator of Cenidi Danza, commented that Guillermo Arriaga: Living Dance Archive It is a biographical and thematic sample, with a chronological approach, which presents the life, work and legacy of the teacher in the dance scene, as a tribute.

He added that The exhibition documents key moments in its artistic and personal career. Each element was selected by the documentary filmmaker Nahomi Velázquez and a team of researchers.

The documentaryist and curator of the exhibition highlighted the importance of a document dating from 1891, belonging to Ponciano Arriaga, paternal grandfather of Guillermo Arriaga. The exhibition also shows sketches designed by Antonio López Mancera and Fiona Alexander, among other documents and unpublished correspondence.

The curator explained that the Guillermo Arriaga documentary fund consists of 18,600 materials. It was decided to present large format photographs, together with 33 original documents and QR codes that link with other related documents.

The exhibition highlights the life and work of Arriaga, including the creation of important dance companies, such as the Popular Ballet of Mexico and the Mexican Contemporary Dance Company. It also highlights its contribution to folk dance and its participation in important cultural events, such as the XIX Cultural Olympiad of Mexico 68.

Velázquez commented that for next year, when the centenary of the birth of Guillermo Arriaga will be commemorated, they plan another exhibition in which they will show other documents and objects of the dancer and choreographer’s bottom.

Ofelia Chávez, director of Cenidi Danza, said that the creation of that center in 1983 It was possible thanks to Guillermo Arriaga’s interest and support. The Cenidi Danza has consolidated its position as a leading center in the research, documentation and promotion of dance in Mexico.

The sample Guillermo Arriaga: Living Dance Archive It is exhibited in the Juan Soriano Gallery of the Cenart Arts Library (Churubusco 79 River, Country Club colony), until March 27, 2025, with free admission.