Ruth Hellier-Tinoco
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195340365
- eISBN:
- 9780199896998
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195340365.003.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music, Dance
This chapter introduces the central notion that Mexico and Mexicanness are constructs, shaped and performed through multiple modes for interfacing nationalist and tourist agendas. Establishing the ...
More
This chapter introduces the central notion that Mexico and Mexicanness are constructs, shaped and performed through multiple modes for interfacing nationalist and tourist agendas. Establishing the focus on two specific practices, the Dance of the Old Men and Night of the Dead, from islands on Lake Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, discussion centers on ways in which both were appropriated for, and deployed as efficacious, iconic embodiments and referents of Mexico and Mexicanness from the postrevolutionary era of the 1920s to the present day. Issues concerning designations of indigenousness and folklorico, and the ideological movement of indigenismo are introduced, particularly relating to the P'urhépecha peoples. The term performism is coined to frame the discussion, engaging with the broadest conceptual understandings of performance, performing, and performativity, with the aim of drawing attention to the multiple cohering and cumulative political, ideological, epistemological, and aesthetic ideas, processes, actions, and strategies.Less
This chapter introduces the central notion that Mexico and Mexicanness are constructs, shaped and performed through multiple modes for interfacing nationalist and tourist agendas. Establishing the focus on two specific practices, the Dance of the Old Men and Night of the Dead, from islands on Lake Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, discussion centers on ways in which both were appropriated for, and deployed as efficacious, iconic embodiments and referents of Mexico and Mexicanness from the postrevolutionary era of the 1920s to the present day. Issues concerning designations of indigenousness and folklorico, and the ideological movement of indigenismo are introduced, particularly relating to the P'urhépecha peoples. The term performism is coined to frame the discussion, engaging with the broadest conceptual understandings of performance, performing, and performativity, with the aim of drawing attention to the multiple cohering and cumulative political, ideological, epistemological, and aesthetic ideas, processes, actions, and strategies.
Ruth Hellier-Tinoco
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195340365
- eISBN:
- 9780199896998
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195340365.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music, Dance
The book reveals how the Dance of the Old Men and Night of the Dead of Lake Pátzcuaro act as icons of Mexico and Mexicanness. Covering a ninety-year period from the postrevolutionary era of the 1920s ...
More
The book reveals how the Dance of the Old Men and Night of the Dead of Lake Pátzcuaro act as icons of Mexico and Mexicanness. Covering a ninety-year period from the postrevolutionary era of the 1920s to the present day, and incorporating multifarious contexts in Mexico, the USA, and Europe, this study proposes a theory of performism as a frame for interpreting the processes at play as local dance, music, ritual practices, and locations are deployed as national and global spectacles and attractions. Wholly embedded in political, ideological, economic, and aesthetic particularities, this study is concerned with analyzing official constructions of indigenous/indigenousness and folklore/folklórico, focusing on the ideology of indigenismo and the P'urhépecha peoples. Central to the analyses are notions of shaping a collective gaze, authentication, embodiment, folkloricization, ideological refunctionalization, commodification, and commoditization. Key to understanding these cultural constructions are issues of centers and peripheries as this investigation moves between local lives and international politics. Drawing on extensive ethnographic, archival, and participatory experience this interdisciplinary study expands and enriches understanding of complex processes of creating national icons, cultural artifacts, tourist attractions, and representative dance repertoires, specifically engaged with the signifying power of the human body. The book shows how constructions of Mexicanness and Mexico are manifest in multiple theatricalized, musical, filmic, literary, and visual representations as found in an eclectic range of sources.Less
The book reveals how the Dance of the Old Men and Night of the Dead of Lake Pátzcuaro act as icons of Mexico and Mexicanness. Covering a ninety-year period from the postrevolutionary era of the 1920s to the present day, and incorporating multifarious contexts in Mexico, the USA, and Europe, this study proposes a theory of performism as a frame for interpreting the processes at play as local dance, music, ritual practices, and locations are deployed as national and global spectacles and attractions. Wholly embedded in political, ideological, economic, and aesthetic particularities, this study is concerned with analyzing official constructions of indigenous/indigenousness and folklore/folklórico, focusing on the ideology of indigenismo and the P'urhépecha peoples. Central to the analyses are notions of shaping a collective gaze, authentication, embodiment, folkloricization, ideological refunctionalization, commodification, and commoditization. Key to understanding these cultural constructions are issues of centers and peripheries as this investigation moves between local lives and international politics. Drawing on extensive ethnographic, archival, and participatory experience this interdisciplinary study expands and enriches understanding of complex processes of creating national icons, cultural artifacts, tourist attractions, and representative dance repertoires, specifically engaged with the signifying power of the human body. The book shows how constructions of Mexicanness and Mexico are manifest in multiple theatricalized, musical, filmic, literary, and visual representations as found in an eclectic range of sources.
Ruth Hellier-Tinoco
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195340365
- eISBN:
- 9780199896998
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195340365.003.0014
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music, Dance
This chapter appraises the ninety-year processes and contexts of performism surrounding The Old Men and Night of the Dead, reflecting on consequences of the trajectory in terms of essentialization, ...
More
This chapter appraises the ninety-year processes and contexts of performism surrounding The Old Men and Night of the Dead, reflecting on consequences of the trajectory in terms of essentialization, symbolic and economic production, relationships of power, and the construct of folklore, particularly engaging Néstor García Canclini's work on folk culture and popular culture. Analyzing the legacy of postrevolutionary policies and strategies, this chapter draws attention to implicit and explicit contexts of hierarchies, and inequities, discussing otherness, difference, and traditionalization; Ballet Folklórico ensembles; processes of self-designation and legitimization; and economic production, exchange value, commoditization, and tourism. Concluding with an account of a 2009 performance of The Old Men in the USA with a direct link to the island of Jarácuaro and the first appropriated event draws the focus to back to connections between the micro and the macro.Less
This chapter appraises the ninety-year processes and contexts of performism surrounding The Old Men and Night of the Dead, reflecting on consequences of the trajectory in terms of essentialization, symbolic and economic production, relationships of power, and the construct of folklore, particularly engaging Néstor García Canclini's work on folk culture and popular culture. Analyzing the legacy of postrevolutionary policies and strategies, this chapter draws attention to implicit and explicit contexts of hierarchies, and inequities, discussing otherness, difference, and traditionalization; Ballet Folklórico ensembles; processes of self-designation and legitimization; and economic production, exchange value, commoditization, and tourism. Concluding with an account of a 2009 performance of The Old Men in the USA with a direct link to the island of Jarácuaro and the first appropriated event draws the focus to back to connections between the micro and the macro.
Ruth Hellier-Tinoco
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195340365
- eISBN:
- 9780199896998
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195340365.003.0003
- Subject:
- Music, Ethnomusicology, World Music, Dance
This chapter provides outlines of key theorizations: (1) nationalism, identity, and ethnicity; (2) tourism, ethnic tourism, and site sacralization; (3) performance and performism; (4) embodiment; (5) ...
More
This chapter provides outlines of key theorizations: (1) nationalism, identity, and ethnicity; (2) tourism, ethnic tourism, and site sacralization; (3) performance and performism; (4) embodiment; (5) hegemonic folkloricization, folkloric nationalism, and ideological refunctionalization; (6) dance and music in nationalistic and touristic contexts, with a focus on Latin America; and (7) appropriation, representation, framing, gaze, essentialization, authentication, commodification, commoditization, hegemony, centers, and peripheries. Performism is coined to encompass matters of process, practice, doctrine, and theory, indexing a network of ideas that is political, pragmatic and processual. Three applications of the notion of embodiment are outlined: (1) in the body and taking form in human flesh; (2) to make an idea actual or discernible and to represent, stand for, symbolize or express something abstract in tangible or material form; and (3) to make something part of a system or whole.Less
This chapter provides outlines of key theorizations: (1) nationalism, identity, and ethnicity; (2) tourism, ethnic tourism, and site sacralization; (3) performance and performism; (4) embodiment; (5) hegemonic folkloricization, folkloric nationalism, and ideological refunctionalization; (6) dance and music in nationalistic and touristic contexts, with a focus on Latin America; and (7) appropriation, representation, framing, gaze, essentialization, authentication, commodification, commoditization, hegemony, centers, and peripheries. Performism is coined to encompass matters of process, practice, doctrine, and theory, indexing a network of ideas that is political, pragmatic and processual. Three applications of the notion of embodiment are outlined: (1) in the body and taking form in human flesh; (2) to make an idea actual or discernible and to represent, stand for, symbolize or express something abstract in tangible or material form; and (3) to make something part of a system or whole.
