Rufino Tamayo’s iconic sandía paintings and the thirtieth anniversary of the Oaxaca painter’s death, provided the inspiration for a tribute to the artist commissioned by promoter and curator, Nancy Mayagoitia. In an homage, thirty artists, all with connections to Oaxaca, interpreted large sculptural watermelon slices. The free public exhibition opened at the end of October 2021 in the Plaza de la Danza and then moved outside Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán adjacent to Oaxaca’s walking street, Macedonio Alcalá — where, as of a few of days ago, it continues to reside.
After working on this blog post, I can’t get “Watermelon Man” by Mongo Santamaria out of my head. The link is from their performance at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. If you want to watch something singularly special and significant, I highly recommend that you to check out Summer of Soul, a 2021 documentary that beautifully chronicles the festival.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Hola. I discovered your wonderful site after I got home from Oaxaca just a month ago. I really enjoyed seeing the watermelon art when we were there. And I also remember “Watermelon Man” by Mongo Santamaria, which I heard in person so many years ago at one of the clubs in Greenwich Village. And I totally agree that “Summer of Soul” is a wonderful film.
I write about my travels on Hidden-inSite.com, and I just posted my piece about visiting Oaxaca this morning. I’d be delighted for you to take a look.
Thank you for sending me the link to your travel blog. Your first day in Oaxaca definitely covered the high points! By the way, the giant balloons are called, marmotas.
What a wonderful array, and apparently that’s only half of them. Oaxaca’s pretty special. Thanks for posting them
Yes, only half of them!
Really enjoyed seeing this art and the back story – thanks very much!
The exhibit continues and it makes me smile whenever I pass by.
I always learn something from your posts. I so appreciate the colorful Oaxacan photos.
Thank you Marilynn!