In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Drents Museum in Assen has decided to reschedule the major exhibition Viva la Frida! – Life and Art of Frida Kahlo to the autumn of 2021. The exhibition dedicated to the world-famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) initially planned for this coming autumn will now take place exactly one year later and with the same duration: from 8 October 2021 to 27 March 2022.
Unique combination of collections
The Viva la Frida! exhibition will present a unique combination of Kahlo’s art and personal objects, for which the Drents Museum is working together with Museo Dolores Olmedo and Museo Frida Kaho (formerly the Casa Azul or the Blue House) in Mexico City. A few works borrowed from other collections will complete Viva la Frida.
Highlights Olmedo collection
The Olmedo has the largest collection of Frida Kahlo’s work worldwide. The collection was created by the Mexican Dolores Olmedo (1908-2002), who, on the advice of her good friend Diego Rivera, began buying Kahlo and Rivera’s work in 1955. Key pieces from this collection, such as Henry Ford Hospital (1932), The Broken Column (1944) and Self-Portrait with Small Monkey (1945), will be on view in Assen.
Personal possesions from the Blue House
From the Blue House, visitors of Viva la Frida! will also be able to admire the artist’s clothing, painted corsets and jewellery. In late 2003, many of Kahlo’s and Rivera’s possessions were rediscovered at the Blue House (now Museo Frida Kahlo) following 50 years of confinement. This extraordinary collection was made available to the public in 2007, following painstaking conservation, research and curation. It includes photograhs, documents, garments, as well as many of Kahlo’s personal possesions, drawings and toys.
Global icon and cult figure
The Mexican Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is without doubt one of the best-known and most popular artists in the world. Her impressive works of art, turbulent life and unusual lifestyle turned her into a global icon and a cult figure. A devastating bus crash resulted in her suffering great pain and having to undergo numerous operations throughout her life. Her great love for art, her husband the artist Diego Rivera, and Mexico and its indigenous culture gave her the strength to carry on. She painted self-portraits interwoven with symbolism reflecting her private life. Many of her works were inspired by her tempestuous relationship with Rivera and her broken body. She broke all the taboos of her time and became a cult figure. Her art and lifestyle have inspired other artists such as Marina Abramovic, various fashion designers, including Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana, and musicians such as Madonna and the band Coldplay.
