The husband and wife team of José Kuri and Mónica Manzutto began showing art in Kuri's hometown of Mexico City in 1999, foregoing a permanent exhibition space in favor of finding locales woven into the fabric of the city. There first show, “Economía de mercado,” took place in two stalls of a street food market. In 2008 they opened in their current location in the San Miguel Chapultepec neighborhood, where they continue to represent many of the country's best known artists, including Abraham Cruzvillegas, Daniel Guzmán, Gabriel Orozco, Sofia Táboas, Gabriel Kuri, and Dr. Lakra, as well as international stars such as Allora & Calzadilla, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
With the art world jetting down to Mexico City for the Zona Maco art fair, we asked the dealers for their tips on the best the Mexican capital has to offer.
What art world hotel would you recommend?
Condesa DF is located in its namesake district of Colonia Condesa, one of the city's prime arts neighborhoods. It is one of the Habita Group hotels, which are all excellent.
And an affordable place to stay
Casa Stella, a bed and breakfast also in Condesa. They have great breakfast.
Favorite restaurant to impress out-of-towners
Casa Merlos, which is not far from the gallery, during the day and Rosseta, which is just to the east in the Colonia Roma neighborhood, at night
Favorite authentic Mexican restaurant
Nicos in the Azcapotzalco district or Casa Merlos. They both have a wonderful mole
Best place for a relaxing evening cocktail
San Angel Inn at the outdoor tables of course, they have the best Margaritas in town
Favorite art world haunt
Covadonga restaurant, aslo in Colonia Roma
Where to take in the nightlife
Covadonga before heading over to M.N Roy for late night dancing
If a visitor could see only one museum, what should it be?
The Museo Júmex, designed by David Chipperfield, opened just last fall and has the best collection of contemporary art in the city
What is your favorite museum or nonprofit that an out-of-towner might overlook?
Diego Rivera Anahuacalli, a secret jewel in the city, features pre-Hispanic works that were collected by the Rivera
Best place to see architecture
The main campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has an amazing collection of Modernist buildings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
What is your favorite recent work of architecture?
Biblioteca Vasconcellos by Alberto Kalach
Best way-out-of-the-way art locale that is worth the long trip
The pyramids at Teotihuacan
Where to go when someone just wants to get away from the art world?
Casa León Trotsky
What is the best place to go shopping?
Mercado de San Juan for a great selection of local and imported food
