Geometry in Motion: Sakai Transforms the Museo de Arte Moderno

The Museo de Arte Moderno invites art lovers to immerse themselves in “Kazuya Sakai. Ondulaciones,” an exhibition that revisits the work of this pioneer of geometric abstract art in Mexico — seven paintings, each one a multisensory experience unto itself.

The exhibition runs through June 15, 2025. The museum is located at Paseo de la Reforma, corner of Gandhi, Primera Sección del Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City.

From Sakai’s first showing at the Museo de Arte Moderno in 2000 to the landmark retrospective of 2016, the institution’s curatorial vision has consistently sought to open these compelling canvases to new audiences — works that draw the viewer into a universe of color and sound. Víctor Palacios, the museum’s chief curator, emphasizes the importance of rediscovering these works.

The “Ondulaciones” series represents a milestone in the trajectory of geometric abstract art in Mexico. Sakai’s paintings — the product of an intense plastic and visual investigation — reveal a mature, singular language that challenges perception. Built around chromatic contrast, they invite the viewer to trace their sinuous lines in what becomes an almost tactile, nearly labyrinthine encounter.

Among the most innovative dimensions of Sakai’s practice is its union with music. Each painting in the series draws its inspiration from jazz, and for this exhibition, carefully selected musical pieces have been chosen to deepen the visitor’s experience. The result is a fully kinesthetic experience — one that activates multiple senses simultaneously. The affinities with musicians such as Miles Davis and Milton Babbitt add yet another layer to this aesthetic and emotional passage.

Abstract geometry — a visual language that continues to captivate artists and audiences alike — resonates here with the critical ideals advanced by Clement Greenberg. Sakai’s work sets out to deconstruct perception and open new pathways in the appreciation of visual art.

“Kazuya Sakai. Ondulaciones” is more than a survey of paintings — it is a bridge connecting art history with the present and the future of the form. This return of Sakai is a reminder that great art transcends time, inviting each viewer to chart their own course through a world in constant transformation.