Circo Volador, a renowned arts and cultural center, is one of Mexico City’s most iconic spaces for underground culture. Founded in 1995 by UNAM researcher Héctor Castillo Berthier, it has become a landmark social project, widely recognized as the city’s “cathedral of metal and rock” for its concerts, workshops, and community outreach. On this occasion, its Art Gallery became the home of a very special photography exhibition: “The Other Side of the Pitch”.
Created in collaboration with Mi Valedor, this exhibition brings together a selection of photographs that portray football from a perspective far removed from the commercial spotlight. In the words of curator Arturo Soto:
“This is a selection of photographs taken by artists from diverse backgrounds. Together, they portray football as a memory preserved in a family photo album, as camaraderie amid the dust of a dirt field, or during a cascarita (a pick up game) in the street. The exhibition turns its gaze toward more human spaces, where football becomes a moment of pause and contemplation. There is even an ironic look at how the game spills into the streets through advertising, commerce, and piracy. This is a brief collection of what happens when football is played beyond the stadium.”
The Other Side of the Pitch is a visual testimony to everything that happens beyond the reach of football’s major commercial industries; it’s a necessary space for voices that don’t fit within mainstream narratives or commercial expectations. Offering a candid, unflinching, and deeply authentic perspective, the exhibition explores how the game is lived in neighborhoods and local communities, reaffirming football’s vital role in everyday community life.
In Latin American culture, football holds the memories of countless lives, and many of its most meaningful moments happen exactly far beyond the pitch. Pushing beyond the boundaries that society sets is something the bandita valedora (Mi Valedor crew) knows well—and something they never shy away from. Circo Volador proved to be the perfect place to break through those barriers.
A large part of the Mi Valedor community was there to support the exhibition’s opening. As expected, Valedor Pancho played a particularly important role: not only did he lead the Mi Valedor stand, sharing the heart of the project with visitors, but several of his own photographs were also featured in the exhibition. His participation is a reminder that art should be decentralized and democratized, and that spaces like this are essential to making that possible.
We invite you to visit the gallery and experience football from an entirely different perspective. The exhibition will be on view through August, so don’t miss the chance to discover the human and collective stories told through this series of photographs. Here, football ceases to be merely a business and returns to its purest essence: a source of joy, connection, and community.
Mi Valedor extends its heartfelt thanks to Circo Volador for opening its doors to spaces like this and for believing firmly in the value of independent projects. We hope this is only the first of many collaborations, and we look forward to continuing to work together on future initiatives.
Mi Valedor took part in the Pride edition of the Espacio Fotográfico Bazaar, a cultural and artistic gathering held at Casa Refugio Citlaltépetl. Throughout the weekend, the team shared the space with a wide range of independent artists and visual projects, reinforcing the organization’s presence at events that celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and strengthen community connections.
On June 23, the Mi Valedor team took part in a special guided tour at the Museum of Modern Art. As they explored the galleries, the group had the opportunity to discover one of the most significant private collections of Mexican art from the twentieth century, while sharing an enriching experience of learning and community.
Music, art, and diversity came together on June 5 during a fundraising evening in support of Manos Amigues LGBTQ+ Community Center. The event brought together artists, community organizations, and attendees in a celebration dedicated to strengthening safe spaces and supporting grassroots initiatives that promote inclusion and provide care and support sexual and gender diversity.
Mi Valedor took part in the Pride edition of the Espacio Fotográfico Bazaar, a cultural and artistic gathering held at Casa Refugio Citlaltépetl. Throughout the weekend, the team shared the space with a wide range of independent artists and visual projects, reinforcing the organization’s presence at events that celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and strengthen community connections.
On June 23, the Mi Valedor team took part in a special guided tour at the Museum of Modern Art. As they explored the galleries, the group had the opportunity to discover one of the most significant private collections of Mexican art from the twentieth century, while sharing an enriching experience of learning and community.
Music, art, and diversity came together on June 5 during a fundraising evening in support of Manos Amigues LGBTQ+ Community Center. The event brought together artists, community organizations, and attendees in a celebration dedicated to strengthening safe spaces and supporting grassroots initiatives that promote inclusion and provide care and support sexual and gender diversity.
