While many know the name of painter Frida Kahlo, closer inspection of her work reveals Kahlo also had a deep relationship with the natural world. Opening May 16 at New York Botanical Garden, Frida Kahlo: Art*Garden*Life is the first solo exhibition on Kahlo in New York City in more than 10 years.
Two years in the making, the exhibit is guest curated by art historian and specialist in Mexican art, Adriana Zavala, Ph.D. and designed by Scott Pask, a Tony-award winning Broadway set designer.
Frida with Idol, photo by Nickolas Muray
The sprawling exhibit is broken into several parts. A recreation of the garden tended by Kahlo and husband/muralist Diego Rivera from 1930-1954, Casa Azul, is in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The fragrant space is bursting with color from plants, fruit trees and flowers that are native to/grown in or culturally important to Mexico City.
Then, head over to the LuEsther T. Mertz Library’s Art Gallery, which features 14 of Kahlo’s original paintings and drawings, that intimately reflect her personality and loss. Pieces on display include drawings and Portrait of Luther Burbank [a horticulturist], Two Nudes in a Forest, Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, and others.
“The exhibit has been an extraordinary undertaking. It has a clear focus on plant themes, but also on hybridity [Kahlo’s Flower of Life depicts male/female reproductive organs within a poinsettia] and duality.[Frida’s parents are of German/Mexican heritage.] [It is a celebration of] Artist. Woman. Mexican. Intellectual,” says Zavala.
On the fourth floor, in the Britton Rotunda, gaze upon artist Humberto Spíndola’s re-creation of Kahlo’s painting, The Two Fridas. Each of Kahlo’s iconic dresses-a traditional European wedding gown (reflecting her German heritage on her father’s side) and a traditional gown worn by ladies from Mexico, were delicately re-created with tissue paper and molded onto mannequins made from reeds, yarn and wax.
In the Ross Gallery, a panel exhibition charts museums and other sites in Mexico City where Kahlo’s and Rivera’s artwork can be viewed.
Special event weekends throughout the summer, (in the Conservatory Tent and Courtyards) include the Opening Weekend (May 16-17), Frida al Fresco Evenings (various), Viva la Frida (July 11-12), Viva Mexico! An Independence Day Celebration (Sept. 19-20) and Dia de los Muertos (Oct. 24-25, Oct. 31-Nov. 1). During weekend events, grab family, a friend or date to savor freshly prepared tacos at the Casa Azul food truck, margaritas and other authentic cocktails at the Tequila Bar, as well as live music performances, craft workshops and other programs. The 2002 film Frida, starring Salma Hayek, will be shown on Saturdays, and there will be a revolving series of Mexican films and documentaries on Sundays. Kids can get in on the act and learn the staples of Mexican cuisine, with Cooking with Frida, in the Edible Academy’s Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.
To maximize your experience at the exhibit, download the Frida Kahlo app with NYBG’s mobile guide. See rare photos and footage, listen to commentary and create a Frida selfie to share with friends. Download at nybg.org/fridamobileguide.
Frida Kahlo: Art*Garden*Life runs through Nov. 1. New York Botanical Garden is closed Mondays, except Memorial Day (5/25), Labor Day (9/7) and Columbus Day (10/12). For more information, visit nybg.org.
