Casa Verde

Lonely Planet review

Art is, by definition, a creative expression and so should not necessarily be restricted to urban galleries and museums. And, in the case of the Casa Verde, the reverse is the case. Located on the outskirts of the city, this bold new gallery, founded in 2005, has integrated contemporary sculpture with the natural environment in an open-air gallery that covers a hectare of lushly unspoiled natural parkland and gardens. Dramatic contemporary sculptures punctuate their surroundings like so many exclamation marks; exhibited on a series of grassy terraces and, thus, open to the elements, rather than just the air-con-cum-cigarette smoke gallery norm.

The sculptures are well-spaced out and varied, which adds to the treasure-hunt intrigue of a visit here. New York-born Carol Miller, winner of numerous awards for her contribution to Mexican arts, has an evocative series of bold bronze figures, while Mexican-Japanese sculptor and UNAM professor. Kiyoto Ota has four tantalizingly subdued pieces, all untitled and open to interpretation. Ota has also created an intriguing art structure here, entitled Huipil, made of rope and wood which visitors can climb and walk through.

Within Casa Verde there is a more conventional gallery, where past exhibitions have included the title Eroticando . No guesses as to the theme here, but the sculptures and paintings exhibited were an aesthetic, rather than lewd, delight and included the exquisite sculptures of Brazilian sculptor Flavio José de Silva.

To reach the Casa Verde, take the metro to Barranca del Muerto and catch bus 45 outside the station to Santa Rosa; the complex is around 150m walk from the last stop. The complex includes art and sculpture workshops and a cafeteria. Prior appointment, via email or phone, is unproblematic but essential and there is no charge for visitors.