‘The Eyes of Chatcot’ exposes a look at the iconography of hysteria

Mexico City. The immersive installation ‘Los Ojos de Charcot’ by the Mexican artist Edith Vázquez, exposes the contemporary look at the iconography of female hysteria, through medical portraits of women diagnosed as “hysterical” during the 19th century, that piece will remain until Saturday the 6th April in gallery 3 of the San Carlos Academy.

The images that make up it were taken from the La Salpêtrière hospital, in Paris, France, a public hospital built in the 17th century, considered a “prison” where indigent people and patients diagnosed with that condition were admitted.

Edith Vázquez combines photographs with contemporary technology, such as a play of lights, music, video and mapping, with which she confronts the labels of diseases imposed throughout history.

The work is inspired by the work carried out by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1993), in that place, to investigate his theory where he ruled out that the origin of this disease occurred in the uterus and was exclusive to women. as thought; He proposed that the origin is neurological and was produced by trauma, including toxic substances such as alcohol.

This research was carried out by Vázquez as part of the postdoctoral study he completed at the Faculty of Arts and Design of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He also had the support of the System of Support for Creation and Cultural Projects and was part of the Postdoctoral Stay Program that issued by the General Directorate of Academic Personnel Affairs of the country’s highest educational institution.

The generative art programmer MDAP-Mario D. Alvarado collaborated on the piece; the original music performed by Rogelio Sosa; the lighting by Omar Gómez and the Video Mapping by Omar A. Jiménez Fajardo.

Edith Vázquez has a doctorate in Arts and Design from FAD-UNAM. In her works, she uses optical systems, light and digital media, she has exhibited her work in various countries in Europe and America. She is currently a professor at the faculty’s graduate school.

‘Los Ojos de Chatcot’ will remain until Saturday, April 6 at the Academia de San Carlos, located at Academia 22, Centro Histérico, with hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission.