Mexico
Mexico's leading arts venue, Art Nouveau outside and Art Deco within
The Palacio de Bellas Artes, in the historic center of Mexico City, is the country's leading venue for the arts. Construction began in 1904 under the Italian architect Adamo Boari, stopped during the Mexican Revolution, and was finished in 1934 by Federico Mariscal. The building reflects that long history: its white marble exterior is Art Nouveau, while its interior is Art Deco. The main theater is known for its glass curtain made by Tiffany & Co., and the upper floors display murals by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo. Built on soft lakebed soil, the heavy building has sunk several meters since construction began. It is part of the Historic Center of Mexico City World Heritage Site.
In October 2018, CyArk documented the Palacio with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (INBA) and the Agenda Digital de Cultura office of the Secretaría de Cultura. The work focused on the exterior and on the main theater and stage, using laser scanning with terrestrial and drone photogrammetry. The Palacio's chief architect gave CyArk access to the roof to record the utility ducting around the structure, and a planned closure allowed the team to capture the gardens and front facade.
