South Of The Border Comes North: Nero48 Pop-Up Market

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If you think of Tijuana as some backwater border town, Mexican design as rough and colorful handicrafts and Mexican liquor as tequila shots followed by a wedge of lime, you’re about to have your mind blown. 

For one, Tijuana was recently heralded as the new “capital of cool”. You can experience its rebirth for yourself when NERO48, its popular pop-up market lands in LA on April 7th and 8th. Showcasing contemporary Mexican design, it promises to erase every preconceived notion you have about our neighbor to the South.

The brainchild of Vero Hernandez and Illya Haro, two young Tijuana-based curators, Nero48 was created with the idea of reframing Mexico and Mexican design as modern, elegant and innovative. Neither craftsy nor folksy, it opens a new chapter on the future of Mexico, featuring products, including wine, that are sophisticated and contemporary. The first US edition of Nero48 will also spotlight Mexican artists that have made their home in the US.  

Nero48’s fifth itineration and its first one north of the border will be hosted at VINZ, a very newly completed building designed by Gensler on San Vicente at Fairfax just south of The Grove, the experience promises to resemble a roving dinner party. “The idea is design without borders,” says Haro.

The intriguing weekend will include workshops, lectures and demonstations spanning art, furniture, textiles, fashion, household goods, music, food, wine and cocktails. With more than 60 brands — look for Natural Urbano, Carla Fernandez, Folkproject and Pol y Pol — it promises to be a refreshing look at what modern Mexican design is all about. 

For more info and to purchase tickets, see Nero48