Guggenheim curator Pablo Léon de la Barra on how he was influenced by Wallpaper*

I bought my first copy of Wallpaper in September 1997, aged 25, when I moved to London to do my master’s degree in architecture. Coming from Mexico, from the beginning what struck me was the magazine’s commitment to re-evaluating non-European and non-American modernities. It opened up a world where multiple modernities were presented in an unpatronising way and where horizontal dialogue between different geographies and cultures was possible. In this way, Wallpaper* was truly global.

Acapulco to Xilitla

In the early 2000s, I was back in the UK doing a PhD at the Architectural Association and had to find a way to support myself in super-expensive London. I wrote an email to Tyler Brûlé offering my services and knowledge and pitching some ideas and, amazingly, two weeks later I was on a plane back to Mexico to write my first story on modern architecture in Acapulco (W*40).

A few months later I was back writing a story on Edward James’ surrealist concrete jungle in Xilitla in the jungles of Mexico (W*45). Many other stories followed: articles on the post-Barragán architecture scene of Guadalajara (W*62); on Mexico City’s Colonia Roma upcoming art-and-design scene (W*46) – years before Roma the movie made it fashionable; on architect Agustín Hernández (W*64); the Wallpaper* City Guide to Mexico City; and many other contributions showcasing the best of Latin America’s art, design and architecture.

Twenty-five years later, my love affair and admiration towards Wallpaper* (and its current editor) continue, as well as my eternal gratitude towards the magazine for helping me survive the economic hardship of those student years!

INFORMATION

A version of this article appears in the October 2021, 25th Anniversary Issue of Wallpaper* (W*270), on newsstands now and available to subscribers – 12 digital issues for $12/£12/€12.