Cholets: distinción y sectores emergentes en El Alto- Bolivia. Una exploración del diseño, valorización y usos del "cholet"
Date
2023-04-17
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Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Abstract
Los cholets son edificaciones cuya colorida estética y diseño arquitectónico se
distinguen dentro del espacio urbano de la ciudad de El Alto, Bolivia. En términos de
división funcional, los “cholets” se caracterizan por contar con un salón de eventos y
espacios comerciales en los primeros pisos, departamentos de vivienda para alquiler
en los pisos medios y, en la parte alta del edificio, se ubica la vivienda de los
propietarios.
Esta investigación se aproxima a este tipo de edificaciones como un objeto cultural
con el fin de dar luces sobre cuáles son los valores y el uso –construidos tanto
discursivamente como en la práctica– asociados a estas formas arquitectónicas. Para
ello, se analizan múltiples espacios y contextos sociales- a modo de regímenes de
valor- como también a actores diversos, tales como usuarios, arquitectos y críticos
especializados. El enfoque apuesta por considerar “cholets” como un producto cultural
implicado en complejos procesos identitarios y de distinción social de un sector
económico emergente de la sociedad boliviana que procura consolidar su capital
simbólico.
La metodología utilizada es de corte cualitativo. Se realizará un mapeo de la
circulación del cholet y los distintos discursos e imaginarios construidos sobre este
tanto en redes sociales y medios de comunicación, como en espacios físicos. Sobre
la identificación de espacios, se recurre a entrevistas a propietarios de las
edificaciones, arquitectos e ingenieros que los han edificado, a vecinos y a críticos,
tales como académicos de las escuelas de arquitectura de La Paz y curadores de
muestras arquitectónicas; en líneas generales a los actores que se encuentren
involucrados en los regímenes de valor donde circule el cholet.
Cholets are buildings whose colorful aesthetics and architectural design stand out within the urban space of the city of El Alto, Bolivia. In terms of functional division, the “cholets” are characterized by having an event hall and commercial spaces on the first floors, housing departments for rent in the middle floors and the housing of the owners in the upper part of the building. This research analyzes the complexity built upon the uses and valuations of the "cholet". I approach this type of buildings as a cultural object in order to inquire both about the use and value – which is constructed in discourse as well as in practice - associated with these architectural forms. For this to be achieved, multiple spaces and social contexts are analyzed as value regimes - as well as diverse actors, such as users, architects and specialized critics. The focus bets on considering ‘cholets’ as a cultural product that is involved in complex identity and social distinction processes of an emerging economic sector of Bolivian society that aims to consolidate its symbolic capital. The methodology used is qualitative. Initially, a mapping of the circulation of the cholet and the different discourses and imaginary built on it will be carried out, both in social networks and media, as well as in physical spaces. Regarding space-identification, I will use interviews with building owners, architects and engineers who have built them, neighbors and critics, such as academics from the La Paz schools of architecture and curators of architectural exhibitions. Essentially, every actor that is involved in the value regimes where the cholet circulates.
Cholets are buildings whose colorful aesthetics and architectural design stand out within the urban space of the city of El Alto, Bolivia. In terms of functional division, the “cholets” are characterized by having an event hall and commercial spaces on the first floors, housing departments for rent in the middle floors and the housing of the owners in the upper part of the building. This research analyzes the complexity built upon the uses and valuations of the "cholet". I approach this type of buildings as a cultural object in order to inquire both about the use and value – which is constructed in discourse as well as in practice - associated with these architectural forms. For this to be achieved, multiple spaces and social contexts are analyzed as value regimes - as well as diverse actors, such as users, architects and specialized critics. The focus bets on considering ‘cholets’ as a cultural product that is involved in complex identity and social distinction processes of an emerging economic sector of Bolivian society that aims to consolidate its symbolic capital. The methodology used is qualitative. Initially, a mapping of the circulation of the cholet and the different discourses and imaginary built on it will be carried out, both in social networks and media, as well as in physical spaces. Regarding space-identification, I will use interviews with building owners, architects and engineers who have built them, neighbors and critics, such as academics from the La Paz schools of architecture and curators of architectural exhibitions. Essentially, every actor that is involved in the value regimes where the cholet circulates.
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Keywords
Edificios--Bolivia, Arquitectura--Bolivia, Antropología visual--Bolivia
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