A newcomer to the art gallery scene, Meridiano is a brand-new space, the brainchild of American Nicholas Olney, founder of the Kasmin Gallery in New York, and Belgian Boris Vervoordt, son of renowned Belgian antique dealer Axel Vervoordt. To discover it, head to southern Mexico, to the state of Oaxaca.

Who would guess that behind this simple stone building lies an art gallery conceived by some of the most prominent gallerists of our time? Located one kilometer from the coast, not far from Puerto Escondido, an area rich in galleries and hotels such as the Fundación Casa Wabi and the renowned Casa TO, the new Meridiano gallery offers several advantages for artists, we are told. In addition to its stunning location, it allows them to escape the influence of commercial galleries in larger cities, to immerse themselves in the surrounding landscapes as a source of inspiration, and, above all, to use local materials. These same materials were, in fact, used in the building's construction.

Built between Oaxaca's Pacific coast and the mountains, Meridiano was constructed using local stone, but also with careful consideration of the region's characteristics—one of the richest in biodiversity in Mexico. The project partnered with local organizations to leverage their expertise in sustainable materials and respect the integrity of the vegetation and wildlife. Constructed primarily of stone and natural lime plaster, the organic building is made exclusively from local materials. The stones of the façade come from nearby quarries and are laid by hand, while the entrance door is made from slabs of local tropical hardwood.

« The architecture is based on sacred geometry, respecting Mexican traditions, with the aim of creating a space for art that seems to have always existed in this unique place. “,” explains Axel Vervoordt, who, along with Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, designed this building with its minimalist silhouette. Described as a cloister or atrium, the gallery is accessed via a path. This leads us to an initial open-air space; then, we are invited to enter a rectangular room, whose only source of light is a rectangular “oculus” open to the sky. A shifting light, evolving with the passage of day and night.

Designed to host two exhibitions each year, Meridiano first presented the work of Korean artist Kimsooja with the installation Deductive Object – Bottari (from February to September 2023), followed by that of Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile with No se me quita lo naco (from September 2023 to January 2024), and finally the works of American sculptor Joel Shapiro with Four Bronzes (from February to July 2024). Next year, starting January 31st, Peruvian artist Ximena Garrido-Lecca will take over this truly unique space.

MERIDIAN
SANTIAGO PINOTEPA NACIONAL KM 113
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO
MEREDIANO.ART