This Friday, September 19, the group exhibition “Tierra incógnita: Historia, Mitos y Leyendas de California” (Unknown Land: History, Myths, and Legends of California) opened in the temporary exhibition hall of the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Baja California Sur. The project brings together works by local and national artists who, through various techniques, explore historical passages and narratives linked to the region’s identity.
The exhibition will be open to the public until January 2026 and seeks to become a meeting place for generations of creators and visitors interested in the peninsula’s cultural heritage.
During the opening ceremony, the museum’s director, Luis Alberto Trasviña Moreno, explained that this activity is being carried out in collaboration with the California del Sur artist collective, coordinated by Benito Beltrán Cota, with the goal of disseminating regional culture and strengthening the museum’s offerings.
“On this occasion, we are presenting more than 35 paintings, prints, and sculptures by more than 35 artists. Some have extensive experience and careers, while others are just beginning to make their work known. This diversity enriches the exhibition and allows us to showcase the talent of different generations who seek to express the identity of Baja California Sur,” he noted.
The official added that the exhibition will remain open to the public until January 2026 and highlighted the implementation of interactive resources to enhance the visitor experience.
“We have pieces that include headphones to listen to stories related to the legends depicted in the sculptures. I don’t want to give too much away so that visitors are encouraged to discover it for themselves, but it is a proposal that seeks to bring history closer to them in a dynamic way,” he commented.
He also noted that the museum offers free admission on Sundays and that the general cost is 75 pesos, while students, teachers, and senior citizens with a valid ID are admitted free of charge.
Among the pieces featured in the exhibition is the work of performance artist Omisis Beltrán Orozco, who presented a participatory installation based on historical events documented in colonial chronicles.
“My piece is called ‘Biological Weapon’ and represents a ceramic handkerchief inspired by an incident where a similar object was given to a native after its wearer recovered from smallpox. This act caused the death of more than 100 people. Through audio, I explain this story, and visitors have the opportunity to intervene in the work by writing words in Uchiti, which is how we name the language commonly known as Guaycura,” he explained.
The artist emphasized that his main interest is to generate reflection on past events that influence the current identity of the peninsula.
“I’ve always been interested in demystifying certain passages of Southern Californian history, and I found inspiration in Father Begotten’s texts. When you read them, you notice the way these chronicles are narrated, and that motivates you to reinterpret them from a different perspective. My goal is for people to learn about and discuss these events, understanding that not everything described in these documents should be taken as absolute truth, but it can help us better understand our past,” he said.
The group exhibition features more than 30 artists, including Julia Atena, Lourdes Manso, Vicente Cedillo, Alín Flores, Ana Luisa Gastelum, Aida Cecilia Cota, and Gerardo Bareño. The California del Sur collective, with 26 years of experience, has sought to create links between established creators and emerging talents to foster the exchange of knowledge and strengthen the artistic community.
The Regional Museum of Anthropology and History of Baja California Sur is open Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and is located in the city of La Paz.
Source: oem
