The appropriation of the open spaces un Ciudad Universitaria

Abstract

Ciudad Universitaria is the largest campus of the UNAM. Their places have been transformed by different social groups that take possession of them temporarily. Students, families and armies -among these, the Zapatistas and the Mexican Armyhave occupied those spaces, and at times have invaded them...But that ownership is symbolic and therefore works as an identifier. There are many ways to identify oneself and to identify the University with a particular group, and that’s not limited to the campus. One way of perpetuating a space that has been created and that is assumed, is to be photographed in it’s own, as a part of it. Anyone who looks through the lens and who poses for an image participate and share this space. The Historical Archives of the UNAM preserves important photographic collections and has even been concerned about increasing their visual documents, calling for photo contests. The review of both, the funds and the catalogs, allowed us to select 13 images from photographs and negatives of different times that show some of the spaces created, appropriated and conquered by those groups who have been interested in being reflected in those images. Similarly, it has reflected on the reasons and implications of the appropriation of space in a University that celebrates its centenary this year.