MEXICO CITY – La Casa Azul, the famous blue house that was home to artist Frida Kahlo, is one of the most beautiful, interesting pieces of architecture in Mexico City. In addition to its history, what makes Museo Frida Kahlo so unique is its embodiment of the artist.
Since it was just a short walk from Youth Journalism International’s home in the Coyoacán neighborhood during the 2024 Global Conference in Mexico City, we were able to walk there one morning for a tour. It was among our favorite places we visited while in Mexico City.
Walking to the house, we passed Kahlo tributes in various forms, including graffiti murals and merchandise stalls, which created a pending sense of excitement before we finally arrived.
It was warm and the sun was shining, which made the distinctive blue walls glow in the late morning.
Before entering the house, we walked through part of her courtyard, and the burst of color provided by all the flowers and towering trees combined with water features created a tranquil, yet ethereal effect.
But the inside was quite different, at least in some parts.
The most striking takeaway from the house was the strong sense that Kahlo’s house was an expression of her, and it was the place where she gave her mind free rein for reflection and imagination.
This was most evident in her workspace and kitchen. It was fascinating to see the multitude of artist tools. Her wheelchair sat in front of a lowered easel, facing huge windows that provided sunlight.
The kitchen was beautifully tiled in white, yellow and blue, with all the cooking utensils neatly laid out. The names Frida and Diego – Diego Rivera was Kahlo’s husband – were written with beads high up on the walls.
While it was enjoyable to experience the explosions of color and life that shone through certain rooms, there were darker moments within the house, which symbolized the harder aspects of her life.
There were exhibitions of Kahlo’s painful-looking corsets and crutches.
Kahlo’s death mask lays peacefully upon her bed. Above it, there are portraits of significant communist dictators, including Mao and Stalin, which is how we learned about her communist ideology.
The final part of La Casa de Azul was a glorious exhibition of Kahlo’s clothes.
In a separate building of its own, there were five rooms that were dimly lit and themed to focus on the construction of her style throughout her life.
Especially wonderful, of course, was her iconic dress collection. We loved the intricacy and fullness of the artist’s famous clothes, which were traditional Tehuana dresses.
Kahlo not only wore these in order to disguise her scars from disease and trauma, but also as a nod to her own political beliefs, sense of heritage and personal history.
Visiting La Casa De Azul is truly a beautiful and immersive experience. Behind the blue walls, the spirit of Frida Kahlo serves as a poignant reminder of her vibrant yet complex life. Her house, now a museum, plays an integral role in upholding her legacy.
Gemma Christie is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from England. She wrote this article and contributed to the video.
Tanya Tkachenko is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Ukraine. She contributed to this article and contributed to the video.
Samantha Esquivel is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Mexico. She contributed to the video and added a photo.
Also contributing photos: Damian Nam, a Reporter with YJI from South Korea; Cassiane Saraiva, a Reporter with YJI from Brazil, Norah Springborn, a Senior Correspondent with YJI from the United States and Anya Farooqui, a Reporter with YJI from Pakistan.
Read more from YJI’s ongoing Memorable Mexico series here.
