The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City
This paper explores how residents of México City appropriate public spaces by transforming local places into sacred sites. This sacred quality is achieved by installing crucifixes, altars and niches for virgins and saints. These symbols of folk religion not only adorn public sites, but also offer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
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Universidad de Buenos Aires
2009-07-01
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| Series: | Cuadernos de Antropología Social |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://revistascientificas.filo.uba.ar/index.php/CAS/article/view/2776 |
| _version_ | 1819101431865540608 |
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| author | María Ana Portal |
| author_facet | María Ana Portal |
| author_sort | María Ana Portal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores how residents of México City appropriate public spaces by transforming local places into sacred sites. This sacred quality is achieved by installing crucifixes, altars and niches for virgins and saints. These symbols of folk religion not only adorn public sites, but also offer protection, serve as mnemonic devices and manage spatial liminality -all this in a chaotic city where public spaces are considered to be almost extinct. These elements -- faces, proper names, common religious symbols- mark “anonymous” urban spaces, generating meaning and memory for inhabitants. In this fashion, public spaces become a scenario for projecting personal elements of neighborhood groups.<br /><br /> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:18:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06534f307f0f4cceb89aa5d505414495 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0327-3776 1850-275X |
| language | Spanish |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:18:34Z |
| publishDate | 2009-07-01 |
| publisher | Universidad de Buenos Aires |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cuadernos de Antropología Social |
| spelling | doaj.art-06534f307f0f4cceb89aa5d5054144952022-12-21T18:43:47ZspaUniversidad de Buenos AiresCuadernos de Antropología Social0327-37761850-275X2009-07-0103059752333The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México CityMaría Ana Portal0Departamento de Antropología de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, unidad IztapalapaThis paper explores how residents of México City appropriate public spaces by transforming local places into sacred sites. This sacred quality is achieved by installing crucifixes, altars and niches for virgins and saints. These symbols of folk religion not only adorn public sites, but also offer protection, serve as mnemonic devices and manage spatial liminality -all this in a chaotic city where public spaces are considered to be almost extinct. These elements -- faces, proper names, common religious symbols- mark “anonymous” urban spaces, generating meaning and memory for inhabitants. In this fashion, public spaces become a scenario for projecting personal elements of neighborhood groups.<br /><br />http://revistascientificas.filo.uba.ar/index.php/CAS/article/view/2776Espacio públicoCiudad de MéxicoSacralización espacialAltares urbanosApropiación del espacio |
| spellingShingle | María Ana Portal The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City Cuadernos de Antropología Social Espacio público Ciudad de México Sacralización espacial Altares urbanos Apropiación del espacio |
| title | The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City |
| title_full | The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City |
| title_fullStr | The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City |
| title_full_unstemmed | The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City |
| title_short | The belives on the asphalt. Sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in México City |
| title_sort | belives on the asphalt sacred sites as means of appropriation of the public space in mexico city |
| topic | Espacio público Ciudad de México Sacralización espacial Altares urbanos Apropiación del espacio |
| url | http://revistascientificas.filo.uba.ar/index.php/CAS/article/view/2776 |
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