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Anti-monuments in Mexico

Anti-monument in honor of the 49 children who were killed during the 2009 Hermosillo daycare center fire. The phrase "Never again" is written in Spanish.

In Mexico, antimonumentos (transl. anti-monument) are installed and traditionally placed during popular protests. They are installed to recall a tragic event or to maintain the claim for justice to which governments have failed to provide a satisfactory response in the eyes of the complainant.[1] Many of these are erected for issues related to forced disappearances, massacres, femicides and other forms of violence against women, or any other act of violence.

Concept

The term anti-monument finds its genealogy in the reflections of James E. Young. After World War II, Young looked at "those devices of memory that do not seek to glorify national glory but to do a living memory work through the experiences of the victims", in contrast to the traditional monuments that exalted nationalist heroism.[1] In Latin America, anti-monuments emerged as a way of dealing through the arts with "the violence of the State, as in the cases of Nazism and Latin American dictatorships".[2]

In Mexico, anti-monuments have emerged as protest art and a rejection of the state. If traditional monuments are usually installed by the state to last and represent official positions, the anti-monument has the opposite function which "does not imply a denial of the importance of monuments".[3] That is, it tries to remember those victims who did not achieve justice so that "their cases do not fall into oblivion".[4] Thus, according to anthropologist Alfonso Díaz Tovar, the anti-monuments arise in this way to "deconstruct" the "official positions through an appropriation of public space".[4] The anti-monuments have also been interpreted as "a new way of dealing with the new role of memory".[1] According to the authors of the Antimonumento +43, the first anti-monument, they decided to use the term antimonumento because they considered an error to name it a monumento, as those refer to the past and they did not want the Iguala mass kidnapping to be forgotten. Even though they considered calling it contramonumento at some point, they agreed with the name antimonumento instead.[5]: 18 

Cause and implications

Crosses placed in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, in memory of the victims of femicide during the 1990s and 2000s. Rosa Salazar considers them as a precursor of the anti-monuments.[6]

Mexico, in addition to having one of the highest crime rates in the world, also is a country where nine out of ten reported crimes are left unpunished.[1][4] As a result, anti-monuments have emerged as a way to remember the victims and prevent their cases from falling into oblivion.[4] For Rosa Salazar, a human rights, communication, and ICT Laboratory coordinator, anti-monuments have a function similar to that of memorials.[6] Anti-monuments leave behind the idea that aesthetic objects "were only judged by their beauty, according to a given artistic canon". Apart from their aesthetic appearance, anti-monuments are "artifacts charged with affection" that, with their subversive activities in the public space, tend to reinstate its communitarian sense.[1] For Eunice Hernández, a cultural facilitator, their location is key to prevent the issue from fading into oblivion, since those spaces are emblematic and represent a hegemonic power.[7]

Government position

Anti-monuments are rarely removed by the authorities once they are established. Although not removing them can affect the image of the government, removing them would imply that they have no interest in resolving the cause of their placement. After being installed, several sit-in groups remain in the area watching over the anti-monuments to prevent the authorities from removing them.[8] In some instances, some governments have installed their own anti-monuments and in other cases have tried to dialogue with the protesters to decide where or how they should be installed. For philosopher Irene Tello Arista, these actions represent an absence of political commitment to change the situation that originated them.[9]

Antimonumenta

The Antimonumenta in the historic center of Mexico City

The antimonumenta is a type of anti-monument erected to demand justice for the victims of gender violence and femicides in the country.[9] The first antimonumenta was erected on 8 March 2019, the date commemorating International Women's Day. It was installed on Juárez Avenue, in front of the Palace of Fine Arts in downtown Mexico City during the annual march of women protesting against gender violence. Since then, similar monuments have been installed throughout the country.[10] The Antimonumenta represents the symbol of the feminist struggle, which is based on the symbol of Venus with a raised fist in the center. The antimonumentas of Mexico City and Guadalajara, for example, are purple. The color represents the history of the feminist struggle: "loyalty, constancy towards a purpose, unwavering firmness towards a cause".[11]

List of anti-monuments

#FueMorena

The sculpture a few hours after the installation. El Caballito can be seen in the background.

#FueMorena (lit. 'Was MORENA') was a temporary political stunt installed by members of the National Action Party (PAN) on the eve of the first anniversary of the Mexico City Metro overpass collapse, where 26 people died. It was installed in front of the Antimonumento +43 at the Esquina de la Información, where Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez and Avenida Bucareli converge. The politicians described it as an antimonumento and they blamed the National Regeneration Movement Party (MORENA) for the collapse and the lack of justice surrounding the investigations.[47]

The installation received negative criticism from activists who have placed anti-monuments, considering it disrespectful and an appropriation of their movement for political purposes,[48] adding, "[t]o them, as to all political parties, we demand respect, that you refrain from looking at the big debts just to win votes. As long as you do not resolve them, you are accomplices of impunity".[49] MORENA politicians called their PAN counterparts "opportunistic vultures" and called the installation an act of politicking.[50]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Because most of the anti-monuments are unnamed anonymous works, and the press refers to them simply as "Antimonumentos", some names are unofficial and use recognizable elements to distinguish them from other similar works.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Antimonumentos: intervenciones, arte, memoria – InfoActivismo.org" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Seligmann-Silva, Márcio (April 2016). "Antimonumentos: trabalho de memória e de resistência". Psicologia USP (in Portuguese). 27 (1): 49–60. doi:10.1590/0103-6564d20150011.
  3. ^ Lacruz, M. Elena; Ramírez, Juan (2017). "Anti-monumentos. Recordando el futuro a través de los lugares abandonados". Revista Rita. No. 7. pp. 86–91.
  4. ^ a b c d González Díaz, Marcos (8 December 2020). "Why are 'anti-monuments' appearing in Mexico (and how they reflect the darkest episodes in its recent history)". Digismak. BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  5. ^ Antimonumentos: Memoria, Verdad y Justicia [Anti-monuments: Memory, Truth and Justice] (PDF) (in Spanish) (2nd ed.). Heinrich Böll Foundation. December 2021. ISBN 978-607-99582-4-4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b Galván, Melissa (13 March 2021). "México, el país de los antimonumentos que exigen acabar con la impunidad" [Mexico, the country of anti-monuments demanding an end to impunity]. Expansión. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  7. ^ Hernández, Eunice (2 October 2020). "Dimensiones y paradojas de los antimonumentos en la Ciudad de México" [Dimensions and paradoxes of the anti-monuments in Mexico City]. Este País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  8. ^ Muñoz Ramírez, Gloria (3 June 2019). "Antimonumentos, la ruta por la memoria amenazada" [Anti-monuments, the route for threatened memory]. Desinformémonos.org (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b Tello Arista, Irene (May 2021). "Arrebatar las narrativas" [To snatch the narratives]. Revista de la Universidad de México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Cinco Estados de México colocan antimonumenta por los feminicidios" [Five states of Mexico place the Animonumenta due to femicies]. Voces Feministas (in Spanish). Tuxtla Gutiérrez. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  11. ^ García, Paula (6 March 2019). "Este es el origen de los símbolos feministas". Hipertextual. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b c ""Anti-monuments" commemorating tragedies flourish in Mexico City". EFE. Mexico City. 18 November 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Colocan caparazón de 43 tortugas en el antimonumento de Ayotzinapa (Video)". Aristegui Noticias (in Spanish). 25 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  14. ^ a b Guthrie, Amy (30 June 2019). "Mexico 'anti-monuments' recall dark moments, demand justice". ABC News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  15. ^ Ortiz, Alexis; Miranda, Perla (5 June 2019). "Instalan zapatitos de bronce en antimonumento de la Guardería ABC". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Rechazan padres de víctimas de Guardería ABC reunirse con Encinas". MVS Noticias (in Spanish). 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  17. ^ Rodríguez, Marco (9 March 2018). "El Memorial de David y Miguel". Grupo Radiofónico y Medios. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  18. ^ Gómez, Nancy (19 February 2019). "Instalan nuevo antimonumento por mineros de Pasta de Conchos". SDPNoticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  19. ^ Gómez, Nancy (8 March 2019). "Marcha #8M2019; instalan antimonumenta por feminicidios". SDPNoticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  20. ^ Medrano, María (28 October 2019). "Colocan 'antimonumenta' en memoria de víctimas de feminicidio". El Universal (in Spanish). San Luis Potosí City. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  21. ^ Pacheco, Rubén (25 November 2019). "Destruyen "antimonumenta feminista" colocada en la Plaza de Armas". Pulso (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Nos llenamos de 'antimonumentos'". Ciudadanos en Red (in Spanish). 1 March 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Edomex, epicentrode feminicidios, olvidado en marcha feminista". La Silla Rota (in Spanish). 26 November 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Instalan la Antimonumenta, parte de la lucha feminista, en Plaza de Armas" [Antimonumenta, part of the feminist struggle, installed at Plaza de Armas]. Notisistema (in Spanish). 25 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Feminicidios. Mujeres de Jalisco colocan antimonumenta vs violencia". Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  26. ^ Ruiz, Josefina (25 November 2020). "Colocan antimonumenta en memoria de mujeres asesinadas en la Rotonda". Milenio. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  27. ^ Rosas, Lorena (25 November 2020). "#25N: Colocan memorial por víctimas de feminicidio en Plaza Juárez". La Silla rota (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  28. ^ Maldonado, Joana (25 June 2021). "Reinstalarán la antimonumenta este sábado en Chetumal". La Jornada (in Spanish). Cancun. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  29. ^ Renaud, Jhennifer (7 March 2021). "[Video] Instalan antimonumenta; Colectivos exigen justicia". El Sol de Orizaba (in Spanish). Orizaba. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  30. ^ Padilla, Blanca (25 April 2021). "Colectivos reinstalan antimonumenta en las Tarascas" [Colevtives reinstall Antimonumenta at Las Tarascas]. Meganoticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Mujeres feministas buscan dialogo para reubicar la 'Antimonumenta'". El Dictamen (in Spanish). 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Mexican feminists install a statue of a woman to replace one where Columbus stood". The Fresno Bee. Mexico City. EFE. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  33. ^ Jiménez, Christian (25 November 2021). "Con indignación y Antimonumenta contra feminicidios, mujeres de Oaxaca exigen freno a la violencia" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  34. ^ "After demonstrating Feminist Anti-monument is unveiled in Paseo de Montejo". The Yucatan Times. Mérida, Yucatán. 26 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Colectivos de Nuevo León colocan primera Antimonumenta del norte del país" [Collectives of Nuevo León place the first Antimonumenta in the north of the country]. Publimetro (in Spanish). 15 May 2022. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  36. ^ "Familiares de víctimas del News Divine colocan antimonumento en el Zócalo capitalino". El Financiero (in Spanish). Notimex. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  37. ^ Ríos, Emmanuel (12 February 2020). "Develarán monumento a Samir Flores en Amilcingo". El Sol de Cuautla (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  38. ^ Pillardo, Ángeles (21 February 2020). "Instalan busto de Samir Flores en el Zócalo de la CDMX". SDPNoticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  39. ^ "Colocan antimonumento por víctimas del "Halconazo" en Avenida Juárez". El Universal (in Spanish). 10 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Colocan antimonumento por los 72 migrantes masacrados en San Fernando". Desinformémonos (in Spanish). 22 August 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  41. ^ "Colocan antimonumento frente a embajada de EU". Excélsior (in Spanish). 22 August 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  42. ^ "Ayuntamiento de Puebla retira Árbol de la Esperanza de personas desaparecidas". Poblanerías.com (in Spanish). 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Gobierno de la CDMX retira antimonumento a desaparecidos de la Glorieta de la Palma; la gente votó que haya otro árbol: Sheinbaum" [Mexico City government removes anti-monument to the disappeared from the Glorieta de la Palma; people voted for another tree: Sheinbaum]. Animal Político (in Spanish). 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  44. ^ "Ambientalistas instalan antimonumento contra el Tren Maya en Paseo de la Reforma". Proceso (in Spanish). Mexico City. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  45. ^ Manzo, Andrea (22 June 2023). "Colectivos piden disculpa pública por retiro de antimonumento 5J; Alfaro responde, pide se olvide el tema" [Collectives demand public apology for removal of 5J anti-monument; Alfaro responds, asks to forget the issue]. Milenio (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  46. ^ "En Guadalajara, Instalan antimonumento Liga Comunista 23 de Septiembre" [In Guadalajara, Liga Comunista 23 de Septiembre Antimonument Installed]. Chiapas Paralelo (in Spanish). Zona Docs. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  47. ^ "#FueMorena: PAN CDMX coloca antimonumento por víctimas de la Línea 12 del Metro" [#FueMorena: PAN CDMX places anti-monument in honor to the victims of Line 12]. El Financiero (in Spanish). 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  48. ^ Sanabria, Lucy (5 May 2022). "Exigen al PAN que quite el antimonumento de la L12" [PAN is demanded to remove the anti-monument of Line 12]. Sopitas (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  49. ^ "El "antimonumento" del PAN: Muestra de que pertenecen a una clase política que no tiene límites ni dignidad" [PAN's "anti-monument": Proof that they belong to a political class that has no limits and no dignity]. Tercera Vía (in Spanish). 4 May 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  50. ^ ""Buitres oportunistas": Morena CDMX respondió al PAN por antimonumento sobre tragedia en Línea 12" ["Opportunistic vultures": Morena CDMX responded to PAN over anti-monument on Line 12 tragedy]. Infobae (in Spanish). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.

Further reading

External links