Pulso: Tania Candiani (Part I)

“Pulso” (2016) by Tania Candiani is a dynamic sound-based project depicting a one-day performance by 195 women in Mexico City’s underground metro stations. The title translates to “pulse” in English, and began with the artist asking, “what is the pulse of Mexico City today and is it possible to recover the ancient pulse of an old Aztec city?” Mexico City is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, where four of the 21 million inhabitants use the metro system daily. Candiani also explored the underground rivers of the city while considering the political and historical implications of water security. The resulting project activates and reclaims the public space using female bodies, while examining gender relationships in the context of social roles and notions of power. Incorporating pre-Hispanic drums, historically only played by men, the artist addresses the changing roles and perceptions of women. The project is an immersive 3-channel video installation including items from the performance.

“Pulso” is curated by Julio César Morales and supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation, Bruce and Diane Halle Foundation and Fundación Alumnos Proyecto Líquido. Visit the museum website for directions and hours and information about bringing classes to tour exhibitions or meet with curators. 

Image credit: Tania Candiani, “Pulso,” 2016, Courtesy of the artist and Fundación Alumnos,  Proyecto Líquido. Photo by Juan Pablo de la Vega.