Costa Rica Debuts as Guest Country at CDMX Design Open, Showcasing Creativity and Sustainability
Mexico City, September 27 – Costa Rica has taken center stage as the inaugural guest country at the 10th edition of the CDMX Design Open. The event, running from September 25 to October 4, with the National Center for the Arts (Cenart) as its primary venue, offers a unique opportunity to explore Costa Rican culture, design, and its deep connection to nature and sustainability without leaving Mexico City.
The exhibition, curated by the Costa Rica Design Week (SDCR), is housed in the Esencial COSTA RICA pavilion in Cenart’s Plaza Legorreta. It presents a comprehensive journey through Costa Rican creativity, featuring projects in landscape architecture, product design, graphic design, illustration, jewelry, gastronomy, and collaborative practices.
A Glimpse into Costa Rican Innovation
Visitors can observe traditional pottery reinterpreted with recycled glass, discarded gourds transformed into bird shelters, and contemporary takes on the classic coffee maker. These pieces collectively tell a story of innovation rooted in tradition and a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
Heilyn James, Marketing Manager for Mexico at the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), emphasized the significance of Mexico as a market for Costa Rica. “Mexico is not just another market for Costa Rica; it is the fastest-growing North American market and the one that best understands what ‘Pura Vida’ means,” James stated in an interview with El Economista.
Design with Nature: A Core Philosophy
The exhibition highlights how sustainability permeates Costa Rican design. Rescued materials, recycled glass, discarded gourds, and local processes are integral to a narrative that prioritizes environmental consciousness. “In Costa Rica, we understand the future as an opportunity to rethink our relationship with nature. The future is not about separating ourselves from it, but designing with it,” James added.
The pavilion serves as more than just an art display; it’s an invitation to discover Costa Rica as a destination where the relationship with the environment can be experienced firsthand. The presence of Costa Rica also includes the Sustainable Design Award, which will recognize a project based on materials, processes, environmental impact, and future vision. The prize includes a trip for two to Costa Rica, offering the winner an immersive experience in the country’s design, biodiversity, and sustainable innovation.
Beyond Costa Rica: Exploring the CDMX Design Open
While Costa Rica is a major draw, the CDMX Design Open offers a wealth of other attractions at Cenart. “Panorama Abierto,” “Novedades,” and “Laboratorio Académico” are three exhibitions exploring various expressions of contemporary design, open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Another notable exhibition is “Futuros Pánicos” (Future Panics), curated by Karla Paniagua and Jorge Camacho. This central exhibition delves into contemporary fears stemming from social, environmental, and technological transformations, questioning their influence on our ability to envision alternative futures. It includes the “Atlas of Panics,” an anonymous survey where visitors can share their fears.
Key Exhibitions at CDMX Design Open:
- Futuros Pánicos: Explores how contemporary fears shape our imagination of the future.
- Costa Rica: Located in Plaza Legorreta, featuring design, graphics, jewelry, and proposals connecting creativity, identity, biodiversity, and sustainability.
- Panorama Abierto: A look at contemporary design through themes like society, environment, care, and new ways of living.
- Novedades: Showcases projects developed over the past year, highlighting recent design proposals.
- Laboratorio Académico: A space dedicated to research and experimentation from universities and design schools.
The festival extends beyond Cenart to other significant venues in Mexico City, including MUAC, the National Museum of Popular Cultures, Museo Yancuic, Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo, and Universum.
The CDMX Design Open, with Costa Rica’s prominent participation, offers a rich cultural experience that may inspire visitors to explore new destinations and perspectives. “This is precisely one of Costa Rica’s bets: to use design to show that biodiversity, sustainability, identity, and tourism can be part of the same story,” concluded James.
Source: https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/los-especiales/gratis-cdmx-descubre-costa-rica-abierto-diseno-cenart-20260927-835514.html
