Envisioned as a space of mutable symphonies, Aguas Frescas is a major new performance by Mexican artist Bárbara Sánchez-Kane, co-commissioned by Mudam and TONO Festival. Premiered in Mexico City in March 2025, this performance is presented as part of Luxembourg Museum Days.
Drawing on Mexican street culture and the tradition of aguas frescas—fruit drinks commonly sold by street vendors—the performance proposes an expanded definition of poetry as a communal, durational and sensorial act. Conceived as a “poetry fountain,” the piece features contributions from the artist’s circle of collaborators and friends.
On each of the two days, for over two hours, dancers, musicians and performance artists share their work in a fluid, shifting sequence. Two sculptures anchor the piece: traditional Mexican chairs called Malinche carrying glass containers of fresh horchata. A metallic spoon stirs the liquid, setting a steady rhythm like a metronome. Visitors are invited to partake in the aguas frescas before and after the performance, underscoring its metaphor of shared experience and collective engagement. Evolving across geographies and disciplines, Aguas Frescas embodies Sánchez-Kane’s collaborative, cross-cultural practice.
Text by MUDAM.
