The Pavilion of Mexico
The pavilion's exterior was based on traditional architectural forms and reflected 2 aspects of Mexico. One part resembled an enormous seashell, recalling the country's coastline, while the remainder (where the pavilion's entrance was found) was designed as a barren hill, complete with Mayan temple made of ancient stones, representing the arid Yucatan climate.
A large mural by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo immediately greeted the visitor entering the pavilion. Measuring an imposing 42 feet high by 15 feet long, the work symbolized the Mexican people freeing themselves from myths and constrictive nationalism, reaching out into universality.
A collection of photographs of Mexico's natural beauty, history, traditions, social progress and industrialization was presented in the pavilion's first hall. Large images of mines, farms, and beaches showed Mexico's resources, rich in number and variety. A display of vegetable exhibits reminded the visitor that it was Mexico that introduced corn, chocolate, the tomato and the pimento to the world. Also in this hall, a model of the Piramide de Los Nichos, with its 365 alcoves studding its 4 sides, was surrounded by statues of gods of pre-Columbian mythology.
Full sized replicas of the 3 Bonampak chambers, featuring the most ancient frescos in the Americas, evoked the grandeur of the Mayan civilization. These vast works in tones of red, yellow, ochre and green covered the inside and outside walls; a reliable portrayal of the period's customs, clothes and events, and the finest examples of classic Mayan painting.
The pavilion's Acapulco bar and adjoining Santa Anita restaurant served typical Mexican fare. Here visitors could admire folk art decor while sipping tequila and sampling dishes such as giant shrimps in pepper sauce, or fish stuffed with almonds... all to the nostalgic guitars and trumpets of the popular mariachi band.
images: (1-4-5-8) personal collection
(2-3-6) expo67.ncf.ca
(7) digital.library.mcgill.ca/expo-67
Labels: pavilions-a-gogo