A newcomer to the world of art galleries, Meridiano is a brand-new space designed by the American Nicholas Olney, creator of the Kasmin Gallery in New York, and the Belgian Boris Vervoordt, son of the famous Belgian antique dealer Axel Vervoordt. To discover it, head for southern Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca.

Who could have guessed that behind this simple stone building lies an art gallery conceived by the most eminent gallerists of our time? Located just one kilometer from the coast, not far from Puerto Escondido, a city rich in galleries and hotels such as the Fundación Casa Wabi and the famous Casa TO, the new Meridiano gallery offers several advantages for artists, we are assured. As well as being located on a beautiful site, it will enable them to free themselves from the influence of commercial galleries in major cities, to immerse themselves in the landscape as a source of inspiration, and above all to use local materials. These same materials were used in the construction of the building.

Built between the Pacific coast of Oaxaca and the mountains, Meridiano was constructed using local stone, but also taking into account the characteristics of this region, one of the richest in terms of biodiversity in Mexico. As such, the project partnered with local organizations to leverage their expertise in sustainable materials and respect the integrity of the vegetation and wildlife. Constructed mainly of stone and natural lime plaster, the organic building is made from exclusively local materials. The façade stones come from nearby quarries and are laid by hand, while the front door is built from slabs of local tropical wood.

" The architecture is based on sacred geometry in respect of 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, with Japanese architect Tatsuro Miki, designed the building with its minimalist silhouette. Described as a cloister or atrium, the gallery is accessed by a path. This leads to a first open-air space; then, we are invited to enter a rectangular room, whose only source of light is an "oculus" of the same shape, open to the sky. A moving light, evolving with the day and night.

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

MERIDIANO
SANTIAGO PINOTEPA NACIONAL KM 113
PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO
MERIDIANO.ART