Mexico City's Olympic Art Route

Discover the artistic legacy of the Mexico City Olympics through the "Route of Friendship"

By Archivo General de la Nación - Mexico

General Archive of the Nation

La Ciudad México anfitrina del mundo (1968) by Mañana MagazineArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Each monument, considered a work of art, lined visitors' journeys to the Olympic venues that stood out in the urban setting.

Estadio Olímpico de Ciudad Universitaria (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The route linked various facilities, such as the Olympic Stadium in Ciudad Universitaria dedicated to athletics competitions. It was also the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, as well as the Equestrian Nations Cup.

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Current view of the Olympic Stadium of Ciudad Universitaria

Estadio Azteca (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The Azteca Stadium, designed by the architect Ramírez Vázquez and inaugurated in 1966, was reserved for soccer games.

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Current facade of the Azteca Stadium

Canal de Cuemanco, Xochimilco (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The Cuemanco Canal in Xochimilco was employed for canoeing competitions. In this way, the characteristic lake landscape of the Mexican capital was put to use in the 19th Olympiad.

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Current facade of the 'Virgilio Uribe' Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Course

Villa Olímpica “Libertador Miguel Hidalgo” (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The Olympic Village, residence of the athletes, and Villa Coapa, residence of judges and journalists, were two of the urban complexes located on this new axis.

Villa Copa (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

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Current facade of Villa Coapa

Reunión Internacional de Escultores (1969) by Organizing Committee of the Games of the XIX OlympiadArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Initially, the project consisted of organizing an International Meeting of Sculptors. Mathias Goeritz, a Mexican artist of German origin, was in charge of defining a group of modern sculptors.

Proyecto de la Villa Olímpica (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The original development site of the sculptural project was the Central Plaza of the Olympic Village and it would be called Plaza de la Concordia Olímpica.

Invitación a escultores (1969) by Organizing Committee of the Games of the XIX OlympiadArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The sculptors were invited individually, through the Organizing Committee and the National Olympic Committees of each country, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Mexican government.

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 1 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Locally, the construction of each monumental sculpture was supported with materials, tools, technical assistance, and labor.

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 2 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 3 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 4 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 5 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 6 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Boceto de la escultura Tertuila de Gigantes 7 (1967) by Joop J. BeljonArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Tertulia de Gigantes (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Gathering of Giants
Joop J. Belijon
Each work of art was planned to be completed by May 1, 1968.

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La Carretera de las Artes (1968) by Mañana MagazineArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

The idea of building a road with a parallel artistic development was taken up by the press of the time as "the highway of the arts."

Puerta de Paz (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Door of Peace
Itzhak Danziger (Israel)
It symbolizes two horns representing the Olympics in which the African landscapes participate together.

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Estación 16 (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Station 16
Olivier Seguin (France)
As part of Station 16, a robust sculpture composed of two lintels could be seen.

Ruta de la Amistad (1968) by Mayo BrothersArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

In the urban fabric, the Route of Friendship persists in the landscape of the south of Mexico City. Relocated due to the escalating growth of this area, the sculptures stand as a testament to the former Olympic venue of Mexico 1968.

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Credits: Story

Text: Ariel Rodríguez Kuri
Centro de Estudios Históricos
El Colegio de México

Look the first part here.

Archives:
 -Archivo Fotográfico Hermanos Mayo
-Archivo del Comité Organizador de los Juegos
Olímpicos
-Biblioteca Ignacio Cubas del AGN

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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