Head to Head: Diego and Frida

On August 9 at 19:00 the exhibit Head to Head: Diego and Frida opens in the Small Gallery of Mystetsky Arsenal. The exhibition is presented by the Embassy of Mexico within the framework of the activities dedicated to the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Ukraine. Head to Head is a collection of documentary photos taken by different authors in the period between 1911 and 1957. The collection of photographs presented in the exhibition reflects the legendary union of artists, lovers, and community activists. Diego Rivera (1886-1957) is one of the most famous Mexican artists of monumental art, whose work has bright social character and is still present in urban environments of his homeland today. Frida Kahlo (1907-54) is a unique Mexican artist, whose work was influenced by Indian cultures, European trends of symbolism and surrealism. The name of the event reflects the idea behind the selection of the photos – showing the events with Rivera and Kahlo together in them, beginning with revolution in Mexico in 1910-17, when Frida was only three years old and Diego opened his first exhibit, which was followed by other significant events, where they were present directly or indirectly, each individually or together, and, of course, the turbulent communist demonstrations of the post-revolutionary period.

In 1929 they got married and lived together on and off for over 25 years. Their life and relationship became a legend. The project demonstrates the involvement in the events of the epoch and in each other of the two great people united not only by art and love, but also by common political views. Within the framework of the Head to Head project there are also planned educational lectures and screenings of documentaries about the artists.