Chapter 1
The boy from Barcelona who escaped a war
Chapter 2
Breaking the rules of Mexican muralism
Chapter 3
The ultimate book cover and literary boom
Chapter 4
Rain, volcanoes, and public spaces
YOUR GOAL
Master of How Vicente Rojo designed a nation's look
Ch 4 · Rain, volcanoes, and public spaces
choko Rain, Volcanoes, and Public Spaces
A thousand red stone pyramids rise from a flowing water mirror in Plaza Juárez
choko Rojo designed a massive public fountain that resembles a field of smoking volcanoes.
Fun Fact
3D Geometric Art: To Vicente Rojo, public sculptures were a natural 3D extension of his drawings. He brought paper rain and volcanoes to life using 1,000 red stone pyramids!
Glossary
national prize for sciences and arts (noun)
The highest honor awarded by the Mexican government to citizens who have made monumental contributions to the nation's culture, sciences, and fine arts. Vicente Rojo received this prestigious award in 1991, cementing his legacy as the mastermind who shaped modern Mexico's visual identity. You can see this award-winning genius in everyday public spaces, where his massive geometric sculptures and fountains capture the beauty of natural wonders like rain and volcanic peaks.
The highest honor awarded by the Mexican government to citizens who have made monumental contributions to the nation's culture, sciences, and fine arts. Vicente Rojo received this prestigious award in 1991, cementing his legacy as the mastermind who shaped modern Mexico's visual identity. You can see this award-winning genius in everyday public spaces, where his massive geometric sculptures and fountains capture the beauty of natural wonders like rain and volcanic peaks.
Fun Fact
Aztec volcanic stone: The red stone used for Vicente Rojo's volcanic fountain is tezontle, the exact same volcanic rock used by the Aztecs to build their temples.
Glossary
tezontle (noun)
A reddish, porous volcanic rock found in Mexico and used extensively as a building material. In 2003, Vicente Rojo used this stone for the thousand pyramids of his downtown Mexico City fountain.
A reddish, porous volcanic rock found in Mexico and used extensively as a building material. In 2003, Vicente Rojo used this stone for the thousand pyramids of his downtown Mexico City fountain.
Quiz
What is the name of Vicente Rojo's famous public fountain made of 1,034 red stone pyramids?