INAH’s New Tulum Exhibit Reflects on Pandemic Through Art

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) inaugurated a new temporary exhibition titled El aliento y la luz. Ecos que respiran. Rituales visuales tras la pandemia del siglo XXI (Breath and Light. Echoes That Breathe. Visual Rituals After the 21st-Century Pandemic) on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Museum of the Eastern Coast (MURECO) in Tulum. The exhibition, which will remain open to the public until September 21, 2025, offers an artistic reflection on the global health crisis and its lasting impact.

Art as Testimony and Healing

The exhibition seeks to process and reinterpret one of the most transformative events in recent history through visual art. By focusing on the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the showcase transitions from immediate crisis response to deeper cultural introspection. The subtitle, Visual Rituals, suggests that the artworks serve as contemporary rites to navigate grief, uncertainty, and resilience.

While the names of participating artists were not disclosed in preliminary information, the exhibition is expected to feature diverse visual languages and perspectives.

MURECO: A New Cultural Hub in the Mexican Caribbean

Housed within the Jaguar Park, MURECO aims to establish itself as a key cultural destination for both local residents and international tourists visiting Tulum. The museum operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while the park remains open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets exclusively at official ticket counters to avoid fraud.

"With this installation, running from May 24 to September 21, 2025, MURECO solidifies its role as a cultural reference point in Tulum and surrounding areas," stated an INAH press release.

Broader INAH Initiatives

The exhibition aligns with other recent and upcoming INAH activities, including:

• A specialized training program in age-at-death estimation, conducted in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) from May 26 to 30.
• The premiere of the fourth season of Arqueólogos en Apuros (Archaeologists in Trouble), a series designed to engage younger audiences with cultural heritage.

El aliento y la luz promises to be a space for collective reflection, using art to explore the profound legacy of a crisis that shaped a generation. Visitors to Tulum are encouraged to experience the exhibition at MURECO.