CANAIA

CANAIA, the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Artística (The National Chamber of Art Industries, or SCOUNDREL, its Spanish acronym) was an independent institution created in response to the need for strengthening existing independent cultural structures in Mexico. They sought to break the inertia of the current dependence on the dominant official cultural apparatus and to broaden the specter of the contemporary art scene in México. CANAIA called for an urgent redefinition of exhibition spaces and of their involvement with politically engaged artistic practices. In a time of Mexico’s increasing global engagement, CANAIA aimed to diversify the discourse on culture and to generate alternative models of thinking about contemporary cultural practice in and outside of Mexico.
CANAIA’s activities included not only curatorial projects, conferences and debates, but also cultural proposals that didn’t otherwise have access to official institutions such as museums and commercial galleries. CANAIA also generated new forms of private patronage in an attempt to break the cultural dependency on state funding sources. They felt doing so was the only possibility for the development of an independent critical discourse on the role of culture and its influence in a plural society.
CANAIA operated as an independent public space linked to the teratoma group, a collective think tank comprised of curators, artists and cultural practitioners.

Subscribe

e-flux announcements are emailed press releases for art exhibitions from all over the world.

Agenda delivers news from galleries, art spaces, and publications, while Criticism publishes reviews of exhibitions and books.

Architecture announcements cover current architecture and design projects, symposia, exhibitions, and publications from all over the world.

Film announcements are newsletters about screenings, film festivals, and exhibitions of moving image.

Education announces academic employment opportunities, calls for applications, symposia, publications, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Sign up to receive information about events organized by e-flux at e-flux Screening Room, Bar Laika, or elsewhere.

I have read e-flux’s privacy policy and agree that e-flux may send me announcements to the email address entered above and that my data will be processed for this purpose in accordance with e-flux’s privacy policy*

Thank you for your interest in e-flux. Check your inbox to confirm your subscription.