The Olmecs and the Cultures of the Gulf of Mexico, Exhibition, Musée du Quai Branly, Paris: 19 May-3 October 2021

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An exhibition focusing on the little known world of pre-Columbian cultures on the Gulf of Mexico, shining a spotlight onto the fascinating journey of 3 millennia of history and tradition.

Olmec comes from the word Olmán, meaning ‘rubber country’. On marshy landscapes, this culture flourished with profound artistic sensibility, but remains one of the most mysterious Mesoamerican civilisations.

The exhibition sheds light on Olmec Civilisation and its influence over time with a collection of over 200 items, highlighting the diversity of the Pre-Colombian world with cultures of the Gulf. What unfolds is a display of a pluricultural dynamic that unfolded through a multitude of artistic traditions, beliefs, rites and languages in a complex fabric of political and economic relations. The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico.

Vue de l'exposition sur les Olmèques et les cultures du golfe du Mexique au musée du Quai Branly, Paris (du 9 octobre 2020 au 25 juillet 2021) (© musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, photo Léo Delafontaine)
Vue de l'exposition sur les Olmèques et les cultures du golfe du Mexique au musée du Quai Branly, Paris (du 9 octobre 2020 au 25 juillet 2021) (© musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, photo Léo Delafontaine)

Opening Hours

Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
10:30 - 19:00
Wednesday:
10:30 - 19:00
Thursday:
10:30 - 22:00
Friday:
10:30 - 19:00
Saturday:
10:30 - 19:00
Sunday:
10:30 - 19:00