‘The Proposal’ deals with the architecture and art of Mexico’s most renowned
architect, the late Luis Barragan, being sold in the biggest sale ever of architecture
archives in the Earth’s history. Unfortunately the sale was made to the Vitra
corporation in Switzerland, more than 20 years ago. Instead of finally allowing
any public anywhere to view the innovative works of Barragan, Vitra has kept
them unshowed, hidden away since Barragan’s death in 1988. There have
been disputes and efforts to get the works back to Mexico, but so far without
success. Barragan’s much smaller personal archive in Mexico was allowed to
be viewed for this film, and we see his genius and artistry in the drawn structures
and artwork. But his wife Frederica also has limited display of even this collection
within Barragan’s native country.
Before Frederica married Luis she insisted on getting the rights to his archives
following Luis’ death as an engagement present, rather than an engagement ring.
According to filmmaker Jill Magid, Frederica still is the main force to possibly
get the sold archives returned to Mexico. During negotiations with the family,
Barragan’s cremated remains were removed from a container that had been
stored in a wall behind a plaque commemorating Barragan. Then part of these
remains were spooned into a plastic bag, sent to Switzerland, and compressed
into a sort of ‘diamond’ that became the main ‘jewel’ of a ring that Magid offered
to Frederica, IF she could get the Vitra-held archive back to Mexico. THAT was
‘The Proposal’: the Barragan-remains-ring for return of the Vitra archives.
Magid did manage to organize a show from the personal archives, that took
place in Switzerland, which we can view in part in this film. For that we should
be thankful, as we see the scope and magnificence of his lines and creativity.
Alas, the ring and the origin of its production caused a grand press controversy
adverse to Ms. Magid that tarnished her efforts to bring Barragan home.
Sad story really that an artist’s/architect’s work can be locked away from a public that
wants and deserves to see it, but is excluded from doing so by a recalcitrant corporation.
https://filmguide.hamptonsfilmfest.org/films/the-proposal/