The video Ciudad Moderna is a composite of clips taken from the popular Mexican film Despedida de Casada, released in 1966. The source film is treated as a document of the contemporary city, and is re-edited to show off the modern architecture of Mexico, such as the Museum of Anthropology, the apartment buildings of Avenida de la Reforma, and the Hotel Presidente in Acapulco. Clips from the original film dissolve into single frames that capture the architecture in pristine black and white, or show perspective renderings like illustrations from an architectural monograph.
Documentation: Video Excerpt; Installation at Laboratorio Arte Alameda; Installation at Storefront for Art and Architeture; Video stills
Terence Gower, 2004
Digital Video, 6:20 minutes
Edit: Anita Chao
Digital Imaging: Lindsay Stadig
Graphics: Natalia Porter
Research: Angel Martínez
Film Archive: Filmoteca, UNAM
Film Source: Despedida de Casada, Mexico, 1966
Funding: Peter S. Reed Foundation
Project Text: Ciudad Moderna (Spanish)
Interview: Sarah Herda and Terence Gower
