LÄUFT

About a year ago, I discovered photos in my family's photo archive in Mexico City that have profoundly influenced my ideas and projects ever since. The inspiration for this work comes from a photo in the family archive that shows my father in the 1980s with his first car, a VW Beetle, in Acapulco.

In Mexico, the VW Beetle, affectionately called "Vocho," has become an iconic element that has endured for decades. This small two-door German car was for many years a symbol of the taxi industry in Mexico City. However, in 2002, using Beetles as taxis was banned in the capital for safety reasons, leading to most of these cars being scrapped. Due to its low cost and high reliability, it has been, and still is, a popular car although many Mexicans do not know the origin and history of this car.

My project documents the continued presence of the German VW Beetle in Mexico. In certain areas of the country, the Vocho has survived, especially in cities like Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Mérida. This project explores how these originally German cars have found their place today, how they are used now, and what significance they hold in Mexican culture and society.

A central aspect of this project focuses on documenting the creativity of people in their interactions with this car, as well as the personal stories connected to these vehicles. This aims to stimulate discussions among viewers about various issues, such as the social status of the owners, economic inequality in Mexico, the accompanying political circumstances, and the evolution of cultural symbols.

Additionally, I have incorporated photographs from my family archive and other images found at flea markets to playfully illustrate how the Vocho became and remained an integral part of everyday life in Mexico over the years. Part of the project explores the metaphors associated with the VW in Mexico through analog collage techniques, as seen in the first image.

This is my second project influenced by the family archive. I consider family archives an invaluable resource at various stages of life. In my case, they have been crucial in connecting me to my personal history and in creating new visual narratives.

Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kwartier Nord Galerie in Hanover, Germany.
Photograph through the rear passenger window of a Volkswagen Beetle, showing several tourists in swimwear in Mexico, part of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT photography project.
Man unloading Coca-Cola crates from his Volkswagen Beetle, which he uses as a working vehicle, part of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT photography project.
Photograph through the rear passenger window of a Volkswagen Beetle, showing a woman holding a leopard-print rubber boot, part of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT project.
Archival photograph of children standing in front of a yellow Volkswagen Beetle taxi on the streets of Mexico in the 1970s, part of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT photography project.
Archival photograph from the 1980s of a white Volkswagen Beetle parked on a street in Acapulco, Mexico, from Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT project.
Portrait of a man sitting in a turquoise Volkswagen Beetle in Mexico, with “Gracias a Dios” written on the front of the car, photographed by Irving Villegas for his documentary project LÄUFT.
Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kunstverein Hannover, in Hanover, Germany.

91. Herbstaustellung, Kunstverein Hannover, Hannover Germany 2025

Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kunstverein Hannover, in Hanover, Germany.
Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kwartier Nord in Hanover, Germany.

Läuft, Kwartier Nord, Hannover Germany 2026

Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kwartier Nord Galerie, in Hanover, Germany.
Installation view of Irving Villegas’ LÄUFT exhibition about the Volkswagen Beetle at Kwartier Nord in Hanover, Germany.
ENTER

If you are interested in viewing the complete project for exhibition or publication purposes, please request the password at the following email:

villegasvea@googlemail.com

Analog collage of an aerial view of Mexico City with several Volkswagen Beetles seen from above, dense urban neighborhoods and skyscrapers in the distance, by Mexican-German artist and photographer Irving Villegas for LÄUFT.

Projects That Might Interest You.

3.LUPE

3.LUPE

1. RECORDAR ES VIVIR - ERINNER IST LEBEN

1. RECORDAR ES VIVIR - ERINNER IST LEBEN