In a striking fusion of campus heritage and contemporary local expression, the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) officially opened the doors to “Notas de Permanencia”. Running through October 22 of this year, the exhibition transforms the high-traffic corridors of the institution’s engineering building into an immersive gallery space, pairing university archival pieces with fresh watercolors from campus creators.
The Bottom Line
- The Event: UDLAP’s Art and Heritage department launched “Notas de Permanencia,” a multidisciplinary exhibition transforming the engineering building’s corridors into a public gallery.
- The Talent: Features works by alumni Thalis Rangel and full-time professor Dr. Gerardo Arizmendi, placed in direct dialogue with pieces from the permanent UDLAP Art Collection.
- The Timeline: The exhibition remains open to students and the public through October 22 of this year.
Redefining Campus Corridors Through Watercolor and Memory
According to Lic. Ariadna Uribe Martínez, head of the UDLAP Art and Heritage Area, the works capture how everyday surroundings evolve beyond mere background scenery into active archives of memory and human understanding.
The project also operates under the umbrella of the UNESCO Chair in Arts, Cultural Industries, and Creative Practices for Sustainable Societies, aiming to spotlight the diverse cultural texture of contemporary Mexico.
A Dialogue Across Generations of Mexican Art
At the heart of the exhibition is a deliberate artistic conversation between emerging and established voices. Instead, they converse directly with masterworks from the permanent UDLAP collection, including pieces by Elena Clitman, Sergio Angulo, Rodolfo Morales, Gustavo Montoya, and maestro Antonio Álvarez Morán.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Engineering Building Corridors, UDLAP (Cholula, Puebla) |
| Dates | Through October 22 of this year |
| Featured Artists | Thalis Rangel, Dr. Gerardo Arizmendi |
| Institutional Partners | UDLAP Art Collection, UNESCO Chair in Arts |
Dr. Arizmendi, whose contributions include pieces recognized by the Mexican Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Salon, noted that the exhibition offers a rare window into his artistic output outside the mathematics lecture hall. His watercolors focus on the distinct geography, architecture, and daily life of Cholula. Meanwhile, Rangel’s contributions lean heavily into subverting traditional portraiture. As she explained during the opening walkthrough, several of her pieces document local trades by depicting bicycles that serve as structural extensions of their owners’ livelihoods.
Bridging Community and Cultural Heritage
The opening protocol featured a guided tour led by Karla Isabel López Pérez, coordinator of curation and collections management, with maestro Antonio Álvarez Morán offering live observations on the displayed pieces. Adding a performative layer to the morning, the Zenzontle Cultural Representative Team—directed by Ángeles Martínez Hernández—provided accompaniment that grounded the visual arts in a living, breathing cultural showcase.
As students and visitors walk through the engineering corridors through October 22, they are invited to view their everyday surroundings not just as a place of transit, but as a living canvas.
What do you think of universities transforming high-traffic academic corridors into public art galleries? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
