Borrow a book
A new kind of library is open at the Plazoleta Libertad, two blocks east of Chapultepec (also one block from the U.S. Consulate). There are no membership cards, no checkout policies, no return policies. Instead, anyone can donate books and pick up others as they so choose. The library is the brainchild of the Colectivo Triciclo, a group of architects and designers who briefly tried the idea near the Basilica in Zapopan before being joined by Colectivo Americana and moving for government support.
The library is open 24 hours a day all year and holds about 300 books at any given time. The organizers of the project expect books will disappear, and indeed count that as a successful promotion of reading for the state of Jalisco.
¡Olé!
The 2012 bullfighting season at Guadalajara’s Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso breaks blood on February 12. To celebrate this 470th anniversary of the city and the 45th anniversary of the venue, four days of bullfights will favor young Mexican talent over more renowned bullfighters. The fights will run on consecutive Sundays from February 12 to March 4 at 4:30 p.m. Buy tickets starting at 132 pesos at Ticketmaster. Find the Plaza de Toros across Calzada Independencia from the Estadio Jalisco.
Art project
Another art gallery has come to Guadalajara. Dieresis, as it is known, exhibits contemporary art in an atmosphere that breaks down the usual library whisper tiptoeing formality of gallery settings. Pablo Guerrero Santos, the director of the project, has already headed his own Pablo Guerrero Galeria on Pablo Neruda in Providencia for six years. Now he feels Guadalajara is primed and ready for a bump to the next level. Toward this end, Dieresis features a cafe and casual ambience, and will try to position itself as a conduit not only for local artists such as Sergio Garval and Fernando Sandoval, but for the wider canvas of the world with artists such as Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami and even Banksy.
Dieresis gallery is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is located at Hidalgo 1228 between Ignacio Ramirez and Calle Ghilardi, where you can currently catch its first exhibition, “Arte 40.”
Animals stars of the zoo
FL Concepts & Co., French producer of hundreds of documentaries, is coming to the Guadalajara Zoo for its series, “Animals Stars of the Zoo,” which will take a peek into the lives of some of the more charismatic caged denizens of 14 zoos around the world, and the caretakers, veterinarians and the other animals that surround them.
One people
A photography exhibition opening at the Centro Cultural Casa Vallarta portrays the unlikely similarities between peoples with markedly differing takes on religious celebration. “Los Coras del Nayar: Imagenes de una Herencia Ancestral” (Images of an Ancestral Heritage) juxtaposes photos of native Cora Indians from communities in Nayarit against expectations of traditional Catholic Mexican customs. The “Judea Cora” section of the exhibition captures members of the Santa Teresa del Nayar community in Holy Week celebrations, blending a Passion of Christ procession with pre-hispanic rituals.
The 62 shots on display also add touches of daily life, clothing and the geographical region. Most are by archeologist Raul Barreda, with additional photos by Michel Zabe.
Casa Vallarta is located on Avenida Vallarta, between Simon Bolivar and Gral. San Martin. The museum is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance is free.
Soccer
Upcoming professional soccer matches:
Estudiantes Tecos vs. Atlas (Tres de Marzo) Friday, February 3, 8.10 p.m.
Guadalajara Chivas vs. Morelia (Estadio Omnilife) Saturday, February 4, 7 p.m.
Leones Negros vs. Leon (Estadio Jalisco) Friday, February 10, 8.45 p.m.
Atlas vs. America (Estadio Jalisco) Saturday, February 11, 8.45 p.m.
Tickets available at the stadiums.