Sylvie Laitre, Director of Mexico Boutique Hotels with the Mexico Tourist Board's Director, Rodrigo Esponda, &
Deputy Director, Monica Garcia
Tammy Cecco-Mosher, V.P. of
Total Vacations
Steve Gillick, President of Talking Travel with Alison Kent, Food & Travel Writer
What do you know about Frida Kahlo other than her notorious unibrow and the film that starred Salma Hayek? According to Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Mexico Tourist Board, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are the 2 most important figures of contemporary art in Mexico. “There are no other artists more iconic than they are,” he said.
In celebration of the recent opening of Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics & Painting at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Mexico Tourist Board invited special guests to lunch at 1 of their favourite Toronto restaurants – Frida! In a quick presentation, Esponda connected the exhibit of paintings and photography with aspects of Mexico that are lesser known to most Canadians. In particular – Guanajuato, Mexico City and Cuernavaca – where visitors can not only find Frida and Diego’s artwork and learn about their lives, but will also discover how culturally and historically rich and diverse Mexico truly is.
“Mexico is a country that is undiscovered and underappreciated,” said Sylvie Laitre, Director of Mexico Boutique Hotels. “Mexico has beautiful beaches, but you must dig deeper because there’s so much more to offer.”
Tammy Cecco-Mosher, V.P. of Total Vacations, was also on hand to discuss their special tour, The Treasures of Frida and Diego. The 5 day itinerary in Mexico City takes visitors to attractions that house works of art by the pair, including their private home and studio. “Frida and Diego had a very intense relationship, full of passion and diversity,” she said. “Mexico is exactly this type of destination.”
But, if you’re unable to follow in the footsteps of Frida and Diego, at least try to experience some of Mexico’s cultural richness at the AGO. The Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting exhibit will run through January 20th, 2013.
