The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Architecture, Construction and Planning (CACP) invites the community to a symposium to explore the many meanings of Puro. The event, led by CACP assistant professor Antonio Petrov, will shed light onto its meaning and how it materializes through the lenses of art, music, graffiti, performance, food, religion, cultural history, film, marketing, fashion, social media, TV, philosophy and literature.
A city the size of San Antonio with all its cultural layers is so much more than one term could describe. UTSA’s Petrov explains that Puro exemplifies something that belongs to everyone: an expression, an attitude, a cultural sensibility, betterment, collective accomplishments, something precious the city is dearly holding on to.
He adds that it means something to everyone with multiple layers and multiple understandings, but its duality also allows for individual interpretations. For some, it is reflected in rituals, art, tastes, values, craftsmanship, aesthetics, and a certain sense of authenticity. For others, it is an underlying vibe or lifestyle that exemplifies the cultural fabric of San Antonio. Of all things, however, it is a collective expression and an individual identity, or a way of participating in a city that filters through all parts of public life.
Tuesday evening’s symposium, which includes UTSA master’s students, will be led by community members who embody the term:
Cruz Ortiz
Tomas Ybarra Frausto
Hector Saldaña
Claudia Guerra
Bill FitzGibbons
Luis Muñoz
Brenda Muñoz
Elizabeth Pearson
Denise F.B. Richter
Marcos Hernandez
Siboney Diaz-Sanchez
Christine Drennon
The symposium, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex, Building 108, 1414 S. Alamo St., San Antonio.