Assouline adds Mexico City book to its Travel Series

Left: Exploring the craftsmanship of Mexico City’s architecture on horseback Right: Clothing with traditional Mexican embroidery for sale at La Ciudadela market.

(Image credit: Left: EyeEm. Right: Brian Overcast)

By Tianna Williams

published 30 January 2024

Built on Aztec history, Mexico City has a rich cultural history worth recounting over and over again. Highlighting this cultural legacy is the latest addition to Assouline’s ever-growing ‘Travel Series’, Mexico City by Aleph Molinari and Anfisa Vrubel.

The beautiful monograph, filled with stunning images and interesting stories, covers the vast cultural landscape of one of the oldest inhabited settlements, and celebrates its contemporary cinematic appeal.

Mexico City book by Aleph Molinari and Anfisa Vrubel

Mexico City is wrapped in folklore and creativity, a constant source of inspiration for artists and creatives alike. The new book guides readers on an in-depth tour through boldly painted architecture in a rainbow of warm colours, shaded side streets hosting make-shift altars, and intricate textiles draped in local markets.

Archive image of young women in local dress — Young women, outfitted in traditional costumes, attend a folk festival in Mexico City, circa
1910

Day of the Dead decorations on steps, amid candles — An assemblage of Día de los Muertos decorations

Molinari, who was born in Mexico City and is now based in Paris, and Vrubel, who lives between the Mexican capital and New York, delve into Mexico City’s indigenous, pre-Hispanic beginnings in the 14th century, and explore its distinctive colonial architecture with a Spanish baroque aesthetic, and the use of native materials such as cantera and tezontle (types of volcanic stone).

Cactus plant outside orange-painted house in Mexico City — Brightly coloured still life of a cactus in Mexico City

Also celebrated are landmarks such as Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Museum and architect Juan O’Gorman’s Cave House, along with local cuisine, the city’s art scene, and festivals such as Día de los Muertos.

Miniature pyramids as part of outdoor fountain — A collaboration between architect Ricardo Legorreta and artist Vicente Rojo, País de
Volcanes, is a fountain consisting of over a thousand pyramids in a shallow pool

Person in Day of the Dead skeleton make-up — A participant takes part in the parade, starting from the Zócalo and ending in Paseo de la
Reforma, during the Día de los Muertos, 2017

Colourful decaying buildings — San Rafael

Woman in headdress — From Oaxacan photographer Enrique Leyva’s series *Realismo Mágico II*

Townhouse interior — Inside the Mexico City townhouse belonging to interior designer DirkJan Kinet

‘Mexico City’ by Aleph Molinar and Anfisa Vrube is available from Assouline.

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Tianna Williams is the Editorial Executive at Wallpaper*. Before joining the team in 2023, Williams taught scuba diving for three years before heading into journalism. Previously she has been involved covering social media and editorial for BBC Wales, Ford UK, SurfGirl Magazine, and Parisian Vibe, while also completing an MA in Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. Her work covers writing across varying content pillars for Wallpaper*.

Mexico City book by Aleph Molinari and Anfisa Vrubel

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