Mexican artist Gonzalo Lebrija has unveiled the sculptural El Faro lighthouse and art gallery on the Costalegre coast in western Mexico.
Built on a peninsular as part of a wider development, El Faro was designed as an exhibition space and local “landmark”, that will also operate as a lighthouse for local boats and fishermen. Inspired by Lebrija’s innovative approach, reimagines the traditional role of lighthouses. It serves not only as a navigational aid but also as a space for meditative reflection and new perspectives on the surrounding pristine land and sea.
Integrated into the Costalegre Coast, this lighthouse is more than an architectural marvel; it is an artistic incubator and exhibition space. Artists from around the world are invited to Xala to create works that engage with the literary, historical, and artistic significance of lighthouses.
Gonzalo Lebrija
As automation has rendered traditional lighthouse keepers obsolete, Lebrija saw an opportunity to repurpose these spaces. El Faro welcomes visitors into a monumental, temple-like structure with a 9-meter diameter and an 18-meter height. The space, flooded with light, invites contemplation and exploration.
At the rooftop, a 360-degree panoramic view reveals the vast Pacific Ocean and Xala’s extensive landscapes, including 3,000 acres of land, 5 miles of white sand beaches, turtle sanctuaries, estuaries, and lush mango fields. Retaining the technical efficiency of historical lighthouses, El Faro also serves a practical purpose for Xala’s local fishermen, blending utility with artistic expression.
Lebrija’s extensive exhibition history across Europe, the United States, and Latin America underscores his prominence in the art world.
Photo
Farode Xala
