[La Moira] [Press/Reviews]

THE NEWS
LIVING - PAGE 24

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1994

House-Turned-Art Exhibit Is Blockaded On Opening Day

* X An illustration of La Moira, a mysterious house in the story of the same name, is part of the decor of the Comicasa in Mexico City

By BLANCA ROBLEDA The News Staff Reporter

The Comicasa La Moira, a Mexico City house that was transformed by 60 local artists into a real life version of the gory mystery story "La Moira," was blocked off by precinct official Wednesday, just before it was to open to the public. Official responded to complaints from the local neighbors assembly about the house, which is located on Jose Vasconcelos 125, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec. Painter Cid Suard told The News Thursday that neighbors assembly leader Maria Cristina de Boloņa objects to the project because "it's not art," and because the artists need a special commercial license. Artists are currently negotiating with officials from the precinct to have the place opened for at least for one day, possibly next Saturday, said painter Erick Fritsche. "We are waiting for their response and if they do not give in to this request we will go to the Human Rights Commission," said Fritsche, who added that the person who was living in the house was forced to leave. The house re-creates the life and nightmares of Marco, the central character in "La Moira." Born with a hideous mark on his face, Marco was put in an orphanage at age 5 years old. Companions at the orphanage challenge Marco to enter La Moira, an abandoned house known because all the people who had lived in it had mysteriously died. Human embryos, bristling cats, bottles, gallows are depicted on the walls and ceilings that surround Marco, Sandra (Marco's girlfriend) and the Man in Gray, who is constantly following Marco. Officials from the precinct misunderstood the art "experiment," as artists called it, and believed that is was going to be set up for commercial purposes and not as as cultural project, Fritsche said. "We were not going to charge for the entrance," he said. Walls, ceilings, doors and every available place inside the house were used by cartoonists, actors, photographers, musicians and video-makes to re-create their impressions of Erick Merino's story "La Moira."

Walls, ceilings, doors and every available place inside the house were used by cartoonists, actors, photographers, musicians and video-makes to re-create their impressions of Erick Merino'ss story "La Moira."
"We tried to pull apart the time and space limitations set by printed comics," Fritsche said at a press conference on Monday. "That is the reason why different artistic expressions are part of this ephemeral artistic expression." The atmosphere of the house is enhanced by special lighting and background music. Visitors are expected to get different interpretations of the story, depending on the order in which the rooms are viewed. "This was an ideal project because it was organized by both artists and sponsors," Fritsche said. Artist Jose Luis Cuevas created a special drawing for the house, which is now blocked and cannot be seen as the rest of the house as its doors are sealed. Among the artists who participated in the Comicasa are cartoonist Ricardo Camacho Barrera, graphic designer Octavio Avila, the group of young artists called Psicorrealistas, actress Susana Moscatel, jazz group TUMA and the group of graffiti artists headed by Ricardo Guerrero. "It was stunning that this noble project was canceled," Fritsche said.

[La Moira] [Press/Reviews]