Record: Arquitectura para Dioses
Exhibition LIGA-Archivos
June – August, 2023
The Heroic Military College (Agustín Hernández Navarro and Manuel González Rul, 1976) stands as a project both emblematic and enigmatic. Situated on the outskirts of Mexico City, it’s only accessible to civilians zooming past at 80 km/h on the second level of the main peripheral road. From this elevated vantage point, one catches a glimpse of a sprawling monumental plaza surrounded by a collection of buildings that evoke echoes of a pre-Hispanic era while also hinting at a dystopian future. Remarkably, despite its existence for almost half a century, this captivating site has been sparingly documented. The archives contain a handful of image series, an iconic music video featuring Luis Miguel, and even a film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That is why, at LIGA-ARCHIVES, we recognized the need to undertake a contemporary record of this remarkable work. We embarked on this endeavor, mindful of the potential bureaucratic challenges that lay ahead. However, the project was warmly embraced, with the military expressing great enthusiasm for an institution dedicated to architecture taking an interest in documenting their revered Military College. For the Mexican army, this building signifies far more than a mere emblematic building—it embodies pride, respect, and honor. It serves as their cherished alma mater and a true home away from home.
After months of email exchanges, we reached an agreement on the logistics of the visit. We entrusted the task to a team of five architecture photographers: Arturo Arrieta, Lorena Darquea, Luis Gallardo, Onnis Luque, and Luis Young. The final inventory of equipment approved into the building comprised seven digital cameras, three analog cameras, sixteen lenses, six tripods, and one drone.
We were summoned on April 27th, and upon our arrival, we were surprised to discover that the military had meticulously planned an extensive agenda for us. The agenda involved a tour in armored vehicles that took us through the expansive 400-hectare property. During our stay at the College, we were able to explore and document various areas within the approved program, such as the central square, the government building, the gymnasium, the swimming pool, the equestrian facilities, as well as the practice and defense areas.
The materials showcased in this exhibition are the outcome of two days of extensive photographic documentation. While these surveys, offering five different cross-sectional views, provide alternative perspectives on the work, its typology and monumental scale render it impossible to grasp solely through images. The sole condition imposed by the army was to exclude the cadets from the photographs. Therefore, while this exhibition offers fresh insights, it does not delve into the social dynamics of the Military College nor unravel the intricate relationships that unfold within its walls. Through this LIGA-ARCHIVES initiative, we present a previously unpublished testimony of the Heroic Military College, a cornerstone of Mexican architecture.
Photography: Arturo Arrieta