Sporting the Path to Decolonization: The Mexico Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2023

"Utopian Infrastructure: The Campesino Basketball Court". Image credit: Mexican Pavilion

I recently spoke with Rodrigo Escandón Cesarman, one of the co-curators of the Mexican Pavilion at this year's Venice Biennale of Architecture. The pavilion's exhibition, titled "Utopian Infrastructure: The Campesino Basketball Court," offers a synthesis on the relationship between sports, public spaces and their appropriation as a means to counter imperialism. In our conversation, Rodrigo provided insights into the curatorial process, the significance of basketball in Mexico's context, and the broader implications of the pavilion's themes.

Basketball in Mexico

Basketball isn’t commonly associated with Mexico, a nation more linked to football or soccer. However, Rodrigo illuminated the unexpected prominence of basketball in Mexico. He explained that basketball is surprisingly popular in the country, particularly in rural areas. This discovery initiated the pavilion's exploration into the profound connections between basketball courts, indigenous resistance, and decolonization.

Untangling Complex Histories

The exhibition's narrative intertwines  Mexico's historical and societal changes by delving into the complex history of basketball's arrival in Mexico. Rodrigo explained that basketball was introduced to Mexico in the early 20th century by evangelizing groups aiming to "civilise" Indigenous communities. These courts, often constructed alongside schools, evolved into vital communal spaces. Following the Mexican Revolution, basketball courts emerged, linked to land redistribution and modernization efforts. This juxtaposition of an American sport in post-revolutionary Mexico provided a unique perspective on the nation's identity and its interaction with colonial influences.

A Metaphor for Decolonization

Rodrigo stressed that the basketball court transcends its physicality. It symbolises decolonization struggles and a convergence point for various forces. From indigenous assemblies to immigrant communities, basketball courts became hubs for reclaiming identity, challenging power dynamics, and fostering unity. This interpretation challenges traditional infrastructure notions, mirroring Mexico's intricate social, cultural, and political landscape.

A Collaborative Sport

The exhibition's physical representation mirrors the basketball court's multi-layered significance. A fragment of a court was recreated within the pavilion, highlighting the evolution and adaptation of these spaces over time. Collaborations with artists, designers, photographers, and cooperatives enriched the pavilion's narrative. From propaganda kiosks to graphic art, photography, and film, each element conveys the diverse stories woven into Mexico's basketball courts.

Reimagining Utopia

The concept of utopia threads throughout the pavilion's narrative. Rodrigo explained that while the Mexican Revolution embodies one form of utopia, the basketball court signifies a different kind. The court evolves into a space where conflicting forces interact, giving rise to new meanings. Rather than offering fixed solutions, the pavilion sparks discussions on how spaces can be simultaneously contested and embraced, mirroring Mexico's intricate history.

Mexico, like many countries today, has ongoing decolonization efforts. Often a nation’s material culture is one of the most immediate aspects of a colonial power that can be undone. From this perspective, the Mexican Pavilion's message transcends boundaries, inviting visitors to grasp the relationship between architecture, public space, and cultural identity within the basketball court's context. In Venice, the Campesino basketball court transforms into an arena where histories of colonization, resistance, and modernization converge. The pavilion's innovative approach challenges visitors to view public spaces beyond physical structures, perceiving them as reflections of intricate societal dynamics. It invites them to introspect upon the complexities of our own contexts through the lenses of decolonization, unity, and reimagined utopia. 

"Utopian Infrastructure: The Campesino Basketball Court" is on view at the Mexico Pavilion as part of the Biennale of Architecture in Venice until November 26, 2023.

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This article is based on an episode of 'Talking Architecture,' a podcast on architecture, buildings, and the stories they tell. You can listen to the full episode in the player below.

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