Each year, approximately two million Mexican residents take part in the religious phenomenon Ruta del Peregrino (Pilgrim’s Route) – a 117 kilometer pilgrimage through the mountain range of Jalisco that is centered around and moved by the adoration to the Virgin of Talpa. This religious voyage has been taking place since the 17th century and represents the pilgrim’s act of faith carried to penitence. Although conditions are harsh, this sacrifice carried with austerity is an essential part of the promise or offering that become the ritual of purification.
In an effort to provide the historical route with better conditions, nine architecture firms and design offices collaborated to build seven architectural landmarks that provide shelter, services and outlook points for the pilgrims. By establishing a strong relationship with both the extraordinary landscape and the religious rituals of Ruta del Peregrino, the architectural pieces have become the “imaginary landmarks” of a deeply rooted phenomenon.
Continue reading to learn about how this project is contributing to the 2012 Venice Biennale.
The general topic of “common ground” is understood as sharing and ordering a common territory, a piece of land. In this respect, the Ruta del Peregrino is an almost archaic example of how civilization is ordering the land. Additionally, it is also relating to the common ground of the group: nine studios of similar generation working in different ways. For the exhibition, a series of architectural artifacts evoking both aspects in a suggestive and analogic way, will be gathered into a rich composition. Next to these artifacts, a film by Cristian Manzutto will show the live appropriation of the Route by the pilgrims.
Project Title: Pilgrim’s route Client: Secretary of Tourism of Jalisco; Secretary of Tourism Aurelio Lopez Rocha Program: Pilgrim’s route Masterplan Location: From Ameca to Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico Curatorial Team: Tatiana Bilbao and Derek Dellekamp Masterplan and project coordination: Tatiana Bilbao, Derek Dellekamp and Rozana Montiel Research Team: Rozana Montiel/Periférica, Adiranne Montemayor, Carlos Zimbrón
Invited architects:
- Ai WeiWei / Fake Design (China)
- Luis Aldrete / Luis Aldrete | Arquitectos (Mexico)
- Tatiana Bilbao / Tatiana Bilbao S.C. (Mexico)
- Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein / Christ & Gantenbein (Switzerland)
- Derek Dellekamp / Dellekamp Arquitectos (Mexico)
- Alejandro Aravena / Elemental (Chile)
- Tilo Herlach, Simon Hartmann, Simon Frommenwiler / HHF architects (Switzerland)
- Rozana Montiel / Periférica (Mexico)
Invited Designers:
- Godoylab (Industrial), www.godoylab.com
- Omar Orlaineta (Graphic),
- TOA Taller de Operaciones Ambi- entales (Environmental)
Curatorial Team Venice Biennale:
- Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein / Christ & Gantenbein (Switzerland),
- Tilo Herlach, Simon Hartmann, Simon Frommenwiler / HHF architects (Switzerland)
Film in Venice Biennale:
- “La Ruta del Peregrino” film by Cristian Manzutto, estudio de produccion, Mexico, 2012
