CDMX Design Open takes over Chapultepec with the theme ‘Weeds. Design in Resistance’

Sprawling Chapultepec Park successful the nation’s superior erstwhile again has been transformed into a mecca of creativity arsenic the ninth Mexico City Design Open unfolds its 2025 variation nether the taxable “Weeds. Design successful Resistance.”

The 10-day festival, which began past week and runs done Sunday, Oct. 5, includes much than 100 creators successful 11 venues concentrated successful and astir Chapultepec Park. It is escaped to the public.

Designs for children are besides featured, immoderate inspired by icons of Mexican culture, specified arsenic the papalote (kite) and the butterfly. (jefaturadegobierno.cdmx.gob)

Organized by Mexico City’s Tourism Ministry successful collaboration with the Environment Ministry and assorted taste collectives, the Design Open has helped found Mexico City arsenic a starring originative hub successful Latin America. 

The lawsuit began successful 2013 but aboriginal underwent a five-year hiatus earlier its reboot this year.

Visitors tin research six themed pavilions — Architecture, Academic, Visual Communication, Furniture and Objects, Public Space and New Developments — and be workshops, talks and exhibitions aimed astatine exploring design’s relation successful taste and ecological transformation.

This year’s curatorial conception — “Maleza. Diseño en Resistencia” successful Spanish — draws connected the resilient metaphor of the weed: “creativity that sprouts connected the margins, thrives successful the look of adversity and transforms the situation without asking permission,” according to a CDMX authorities property release.

If the weed taxable seems puzzling for a plan event, see this metaphor from a metropolis authorities property merchandise successful which weeds are described arsenic “creativity that sprouts connected the margins, thrives successful the look of adversity and transforms the situation without asking permission.” (jefaturadegobierno.cdmx.gob)

The programme is besides introducing Plots, oregon thematic clusters that research issues successful modern design. They see Fertility, connected motherhood and its challenges; Shoots, highlighting plan for children; Ecosystems, focused connected sustainable practices and scenery transformation; and Pollination, which addresses migration, taste identity, and resistance.

Among the highlights is simply a monumental installation by French decorator Camille Walala connected the terrace of the Papalote Children’s Museum. Celebrated for her colorful, exuberant geometric designs, Walala was inspired for this enactment by icons of Mexican culture, astir notably the papalote (kite) and the butterfly.

At Lago Algo, visitors tin spot immersive works created from Chapultepec’s ain earthy waste, illustrating the value of ecosystem restoration.

The festival opened with the “What Design Can Do México GNP” series, its rubric ever fixed successful English, unusual syntax and all, adjacent successful Spanish texts. It features debates connected ecological design, artificial intelligence and architecture.

Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s system minister, inaugurated the event, calling connected young designers to merge innovation with ancestral knowledge. 

International voices specified arsenic Australian-born scenery decorator Julia Watson (an adept successful Indigenous ecological technologies) and technology-driven Swiss world Benjamin Dillenburger (known for his probe into large-scale, 3D-printed architecture) joined Mexican creators successful exploring the intersections of sustainability and technology.

One of the Mexican voices was decorator and Mujeres de la Tierra laminitis Rocío Lobato, an activistic who defends native corn and promotes the dignity and visibility of agrarian women done creation and nationalist projects.

Mexico City’s Tourism Minister Alejandra Frausto underscored the event’s impact, stating, “The 2025 Design Open projects our metropolis arsenic a taste and originative superior of planetary reach, fostering the endowment of our designers, strengthening taste tourism, and contributing to economical improvement and societal well-being.”

Most activities are free, though definite conferences necessitate pre-registration. For much information, sojourn the Abierto de Diseño (Design Open) website.

With reports from Proceso and Time Out Mexico City