“I am not a photographer, yet taking pictures has given me a sense of unity and personal satisfaction. They are relics of my life. Souvenirs of my wandering. All that I have learned concerning light and composition is contained within them”.

–Patti Smith, Land 250, Paris

Through the public art project Sonora 128, kurimanzutto presents an exhibition of photographic works by Patti Smith as part of the ongoing Café La Habana Sessions in Mexico City. Hosted in the vitrines of the legendary Café La Habana in the Colonia Juárez, the series features the artist’s photographs taken throughout her life and travels. The grouping of silver gelatin prints intimately depicts small everyday objects and places, while the portrayal of these objects reveals the admiration and reverence Smith has for their original owners. Roberto Bolaño’s chair, Frida Kahlo’s corset, or Diego Rivera’s bed, represent not only memories of her travels and the encounters with historical places, but also the inspiration these personalities have upon the author. In between these objects belonging to her admired subjects, the viewer witnesses moments of intimacy and a deep sense of observation for her loved ones and lifelong friends.

The choice of the exhibition space is not without a profound symbolic meaning for Patti Smith. In her words: “a café is not a place but a state of mind”, and the Café La Habana was the source of inspiration for the series of Café La Habana Sessions revolving around the figure of Roberto Bolaño, a frequent client of the venue. Inside this timeless space continuum, ideas wander freely between generations of artists and intellectuals. Now framing the exhibition in this historical meeting point - a place for writers and thinkers - Smith sheds a new light on the process of artistic creation and its source of inspiration.