Mexico City art hub JO-HS opens inside a modernist icon
New exhibition space and creative hub JO-HS opens inside a striking example of modernist Mexico City architecture by Carlos Herrera

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Thank you for signing up to Wallpaper. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
In Mexico City, a new, multifaceted arts hub has arrived on the scene. JO-HS, founded by Danish curator and gallerist Elisabeth Johs, is a new exhibition space, artist residency and shop that will spotlight a cross-section of local and international contemporary creativity, and offer studio and living space for emerging artists in Mexico City. Johs, who was formally based in New York and is co-founder of the city’s Trotter & Sholer gallery, moved to Mexico City last year after finding herself unable to return to the US due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
JO-HS occupies an architecturally significant building in San Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico City, a former residence and architectural studio designed by Mexican architect Carlos Herrera and constructed in 1981. This light-filled modernist gem has been sensitively and elegantly renovated to adapt to a platform for contemporary art.
The middle gallery space featuring fabric painting by Celeste
JO-HS’ inaugural show, ‘Vivarium’, features work by eight contemporary Mexican artists: Alicia Ayenegui, Carlos Garcia Noriega, Carla Hernández, Celeste, Emilio Chapela, Fernando Ocaña, Miguel Pedroza, Alonso Leon-Velarde, Perla Krauze and Tania Ximena.
Participating artists responded to two fundamental questions: ‘What does art need to survive? How does art escape the contemporary?’ In its purest sense, the vivarium is an environment in which to maintain life; the show is an art ecosystem in which to cultivate contemporary discourse.
Through his exploration of automobility as a psychological condition, artist and car designer Fernando Ocaña delves into the anthropology of speed. Elsewhere, Carla Hernández homes in on the synergy between humans and plants, and conceptual artist Tania Ximena takes a distinctive approach to the landscape genre, combining volcanology, and scientific and historical research with spirituality to pose the question: ‘How does one move from experience to image?’
‘I’m thrilled to debut JO-HS and to fulfil a long-held vision for a place to slow down, create and appreciate art in Mexico City,’ says Johs. ‘I have long admired the vibrancy and creativity of this city and aim for JO-HS to be a hub for international creativity where we celebrate the work of Mexican artists in particular.’
Small gallery room at JO-HS featuring works by Miguel Pedroza
The JO-HS front-entrance featuring Knoll table, and artwork by Perla Krauze
Floor piece by Fernando Ocaña
INFORMATION
’Vivarium’, until 4 December 2021, JO-HS, jo-hs.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Harriet Lloyd-Smith is the Arts Editor of Wallpaper*, responsible for the art pages across digital and print, including profiles, exhibition reviews, and contemporary art collaborations. She started at Wallpaper* in 2017 and has written for leading contemporary art publications, auction houses and arts charities, and lectured on review writing and art journalism. When she’s not writing about art, she’s making her own.
-
Reed Krakoff ushers John Hardy jewellery into a new era, and refreshes its New York store
The ‘Spear’ jewellery collection riffs on John Hardy’s signature handwoven chain, while the boutique nods to the brand’s Balinese heritage
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
New Aesop store in Rome opens, an ode to the Eternal City
At the new Aesop Via del Corso store in Rome, architect Jakob Sprenger hosted a celebratory event with Wallpaper*, including a panel discussion chaired by contributing editor Dal Chodha
By Simon Mills Published
-
Marc Newson on his electric hydrofoil collaboration with Fliteboard
The Fliteboard x Marc Newson eFoil promises a smooth surfing experience with cutting-edge materials and space-age design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Tanya Aguiñiga: the artist weaving new narratives for borderless creativity
We profile LA-based artist and Loewe Foundation Craft Prize finalist Tanya Aguiñiga, whose work explores life on the US-Mexico border and seeks to empower transnational voices
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
Bosco Sodi’s monumental new Mexico City studio is a multifunctional feat
As Bosco Sodi unveils his new Studio CMDX in Atlampa, Mexico City, we speak to the artist about how the vast Alberto Kalach-designed former warehouse is a feat in multitasking
By Juliana Piskorz Published
-
Artist’s Palate: Jose Dávila’s chocolate fudge with pecans
Try Jose Dávila’s indulgent recipe for chocolate fudge with pecans, from our December 2022 issue’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By TF Chan Published
-
Bosco Sodi’s message of post-pandemic hope in New York City
The Mexican artist takes over Manhattan's Washington Square Park on Sunday 23 May, giving away 439 small clay spheres embedded with seeds to spread a message of hope
By TF Chan Published
-
Unno gallery shines a spotlight on Latin American design talent
Offering a new point of view on the region's talent, Milan-based digital gallery Unno makes its debut with a series of collectible design objects that reference ancient aesthetics with a contemporary spin
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Artist Stefan Brüggemann lights up the truth in Tijuana
Mexican artist Stefan Brüggemann meditates on the state of misinformation with a double-sided neon installation on the US/Mexico border
By TF Chan Last updated
-
Bosco Sodi creates limited-edition cover for Wallpaper’s December 2020 issue
For our December 2020 issue, artist Bosco Sodi explored notions of perfection by contrasting his clay sculptures with the concrete forms of his Casa Wabi art foundation
By TF Chan Published
-
Artist Bosco Sodi on his inclusive vision for Mexico’s Casa Wabi
Casa Wabi, on the Oaxacan coast of Mexico, combines world-class architecture by Tadao Ando with a mission to promote social commitment through art.
By TF Chan Published