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All Mexico Mexico City 'Xipe Totec'

'Xipe Totec'

This neon installation is a tribute to a Mexica god, who gave his skin to humanity.

Mexico City, Mexico

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‘Xipe Totec’   vladimix
Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco seen from the archaeological site.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The artwork after just being turned on.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
‘Xipe Totec’   Tlatelolco CCU
Close-up of the neon pattern.   Tlatelolco CCU
‘Xipe Totec’   Tlatelolco CCU
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About

Installed in 2010 as part of the 100th anniversary of the country's National Autonomous University (UNAM), this pink and blue neon piece is the work of artist Thomas Glassford, a Mexico City resident born in Laredo, Texas.

It's named after a Mexica (the pre-Columbian peoples better known internationally as Aztecs) god, revered for a legend in which he gave his skin to shelter humanity. His flaying is tied to the peeling of maize, with Xipe Tótec being a representative of both this staple crop and war.

Glassford saw the myth of this sacrifice as an opportunity for a work of art intended to cover all four sides of a rectangular building. The bicolor design's geometry is an example of Penrose tiling, reminiscent of patterns common in Islamic art.

With its construction having been completed during the 1960s and a design inspired by the United Nations building in New York City, the tower was formerly the home of Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs until 2006. A year later, it reopened as the University Tlatelolco Cultural Center (under management by UNAM). It houses "Xipe Totec," as well as the Archaeological Museum of the nearby pyramids and the Memorial 68.

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As a light artwork, "Xipe Totec" is best appreciated after nightfall.

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linkogecko

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Corn Cob Nellie

  • Corn Cob Nellie

Published

August 21, 2020

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Sources
  • https://www.ancient.eu/Xipe_Totec/
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/18/world/americas/18mexico.html
  • http://tlatelolco.unam.mx/sobre-el-ccut/
'Xipe Totec'
1 Avenida R. Flores Magón
Mexico City, 06995
Mexico
19.450311, -99.137406
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Nearby Places

Memorial 68

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Pyramids of Tlatelolco

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Temple of Santiago Tlatelolco's Stones

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 180
Stories 17

Nearby Places

Memorial 68

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Pyramids of Tlatelolco

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Temple of Santiago Tlatelolco's Stones

Mexico City, Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico

Places 180
Stories 17

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