In response to the bold simplicity and radical spirit of Beatriz Zamora’s oeuvre, our museography for the exhibition required a concept that could break from conventional gallery norms and fully embody the essence of her work. The solution came in the form of steel I-beams—industrial, ready-made objects that mirror the stark, uncompromising nature of Zamora’s paintings. These I-beams, though simple and unadorned, hold a commanding presence in the space, creating a sense of raw strength. The natural patina, rust, and corrosion of the steel subtly echo the textures and materiality of her work, establishing a dialogue between the display and the paintings themselves. Each I-beam acts as both a support and a framing device, allowing the paintings to hover within the space without the need for traditional wall mounting. This design choice not only honors the minimalist principles of Zamora’s practice but also emphasizes the inherent contrasts in her work—between light and shadow, smoothness and roughness, repetition and individuality, lightness and weight.

Zamora's use of black in her work is a deliberate renunciation of the color spectrum, placing her monochromatic paintings in a unique and radical space within Mexican minimalism. Her monochromes do not merely reject color; they challenge the viewer to engage with texture, materiality, and form in new ways. The challenge was to create an environment where her 15 black paintings could be experienced in a way that highlights their subtlety and depth while preserving the minimalist yet powerful aesthetic that defines her practice. The I-beam displays are designed to grow taller in section, accommodating an almost salon-like display of her paintings. This approach allows for a comparative viewing experience, inviting the audience to closely examine the richness of texture and variation across her works. The bases also narrow in plan as they recede in space, exaggerating the perspective in an illusory manner, drawing the eye further into the gallery and creating a sense of movement and progression. The simplicity of the display, with each painting held by the precise section of an I-beam, offers curatorial flexibility, allowing the arrangement to shift and evolve with any of her hundreds of paintings over the course of the exhibition. This adaptability not only reflects the dynamic and experimental nature of Zamora’s practice but also enables the exhibition to respond to the viewer’s evolving perceptions, ensuring a continually fresh and engaging experience.