Here looms Olivier Seguin’s “Martine”, a sculpture that embodies artistic migration and monumental expression. This sculpture’s story began far from here, in France. Olivier Seguin was born in Montreuil-sur-mer, France. He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Lille and Paris. Seguin’s journey took him to Mexico. He lived here from 1959 to 1972.
Olivier Seguin made significant contributions to Mexican art during this period. He taught visual education at the University of Guadalajara from 1959 to 1965. Later, he became a professor of monumental sculpture at the National Academy of San Carlos in Mexico from 1966 to 1968. Seguin’s artistic evolution strongly resonates with themes of art and architecture. His life was marked by geographic and disciplinary movement. His work explored architecture-sculpture as a program. He experimented with a synthesis of arts, notably in Morocco and Mexico.
Olivier Seguin’s “Martine” stands as a testament to the Road of Friendship. This project united twenty-two international sculptors. They created monumental artworks for the Mexico City Olympic Games. Mathia Goeritz directed this ambitious endeavor.
“Martine” is made of two great masses. They stand nearly seven meters tall. Straight lines bisect these masses. The sculpture is painted in black and white. These colors amplify its visual weight and power. The artwork benefits from being viewed from multiple perspectives. The sculpture was originally located near the Glorieta de Vaqueritos. In 2019, “Martine” was moved to its current location. It now stands at Viaducto Tlalpan and Periférico Sur.
Interestingly, Olivier Seguin often left his works untitled. The story behind “Martine’s” name remains a bit of a mystery. It is said that it is named after his wife Martine Deparis. She was an interior designer whom he married in Mexico. This personal connection adds another layer to the sculpture’s intrigue.
Olivier Seguin also left another significant mark in Mexico. He created the emblem for Plaza Satélite. This emblem symbolized modernity in the early 1970s. Olivier Seguin’s influence extends beyond “Martine”. His contributions to art and architecture are celebrated. His work captures emotion and the power of the human spirit. As you observe “Martine,” consider Olivier Seguin’s journey. He traveled from France to Mexico. He left an enduring legacy in monumental public sculptures.