Talk

MA Curatorial Practice presents a talk with Pedro Reyes (b. 1972). Reyes is a Mexican artist who has received international attention for large-scale, multidisciplinary projects that address current social and political issues with humor, ingenuity, and often with a participatory approach. Trained as an architect, he primarily identifies as a sculptor and frequently creates installations, performances, and public projects that invite collective action and reflection. His work often transforms objects and situations related to conflict into instruments for positive social change. For example, a socio-political critique of contemporary gun culture is addressed in Reyes’s ongoing “Palas por Pistolas,” in which the artist worked with local authorities in Culiacán, Mexico, to melt down guns into shovels, then used to plant trees in cities elsewhere in the world. Similarly, in Reyes’ major continuing Disarm series, firearms confiscated by the Mexican government and donated to Reyes have been transformed into instruments, which are then activated by local musicians.

His exhibitions include “Direct Action” at SITE Santa Fe, New Mexico (2023); a presentation of his early work at Marta Herford Museum, Germany (2022); a solo exhibition of “Return to Sender,” a series of music boxes made from gun parts, at Museum Tinguely, Basel (2020); “Doomocracy,” an immersive theatrical installation exploring politics and fear, at Creative Time, New York (2016); the first edition of pUN: The People’s United Nations, an experimental conference where ordinary citizens act as delegates at Queens Museum, New York (2013); and the second edition of “pUN” at Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2015).

His work is featured in collections internationally including: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; Colección Jumex, Mexico City; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Brooklyn Museum, New York.

The Artists Roundtable, an international forum for leading practitioners, is hosted by Tamsin Dillon, faculty member of the MA Curatorial Practice program.