Landscape Juxtaposition from Immeasurable Visions

Abstract

Positivism describes landscape in regard of its physiognomy, considering only the elements that compose it to differentiate one physical space from another. From a cognitive perspective, landscape is the result of human interaction, where values have a direct effect on the landscape, and where the landscape also affects values. By contrast, the Mesoamerican vision of landscape goes beyond the classic dichotomy between culture and environment. Hence, we can say that understanding landscape this way has two historical moments: one, inherited from pre-hispanic times, which conveys an act of respect towards nature, both individually and collectively; and another from colonization. Without any doubt, this way of viewing and interacting with landscape had been captured in historical documents, which are available for consultation. Nowadays, there is also knowledge of landscapes as a result of co-evolution between inherited Mesoamerican knowledge and knowledge generated by farmers. Against this background, this paper aims to describe some of the elements that create a distance between the interpretations of the landscape from a western perspective, from work by technicians and a Mesoamerican vision created by farmers. Considering these visions, comments are made that can serve as a reference of reflection to understand and address landscape as a unique space of coexistence, where dialogue of knowledge can be the meeting point to build and strengthen decision-making processes in accordance with the context and conditions of each place.