Inside the Exhibition: IB Art Students Explore Curatorial Practice at the MAC Panama

 This past May 7th, 12th-grade and 11th-grade students visited the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Panamá (MAC) to learn about curatorial analysis and how exhibitions work as part of the art IB diploma program.  The tour consisted of two exhibitions. The first one, called ‘Cúmulus: 10+ años de Estudio Nuboso’, featured multiple studies of the Earth, including mountains, climate, volcanoes, and the humidity of the soil relevant to coffee beans. The second exhibition, titled ‘Electric Dub Station: El retorno del mañana,’ consists of a series of artworks that represent one's culture and genetic code through textiles and the rich history and travels of the color indigo. 

They had the pleasure to learn from Juan Canela, the curatorial analysist for the museum, where he talked about his work, life traveling the world and how he ended up working at the MAC, as well as other aspects that a curatorial analysis has to take care of when creating an exhibition like the ones that we saw at the museum. They made collages as part of an art class activity and as a self-reflection component of the creation process, where they let their creativity shine and imagination come to life. 

Additionally, professional curator Emilio Narciso, Curator of Banco Mercantil Art and Culture in Venezuela and Panama, came to the school to speak with our second-year Diploma Program students about the science behind creating an art exhibition and curating. He showed them several curated exhibitions. And helped them shape their initial ideas for their art exhibition. 

It's important that we, as students, share experiences like this, and we can learn about the Panamanian and foreign artists being showcased in prestigious museums like the MAC,  as well as the role exhibitions like the ones we saw play in shaping our perspective for self-reflection and critical thinking. 

Written by: Batsheva Chevez

Edited by: Maria Alejandra Molino and Mar Alzamora