Public art in the Tepito neighborhood, México city

Abstract

This paper discusses Tepito, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico City. However, we do not limit this discussion to listing its qualities as a third-world megacity “barrio” What interests us is the role that public art has played in defining a local identity. First we analyze what is meant by public art and its general purposes in the city. Then we take Tepito as a case study and the two types of public art that have developed in this area, from the second half of the twentieth century until today. With this example, we try to show some of the possibilities offered by public art as a means of expression and subjective appropriation of urban space.