Material, imaginary culture and definition of symbolic borders at the Royal Audience of Quito during the Bourbon period in the context of a globalized proto society. Case study.

This research is aimed at identifying, through case studies, the uses of material culture and its role in the construction of new imaginary and symbolic borders in the Royal Audience of Quito, during the Bourbon period, in the context of a globalized proto society. We will try to understand and explain the processes that take place during the commercial expansion caused by European trade through permission annual ships. We propose to identify the objects that come from networks that gradually replace those from interior circuits with multi territorial circuits associated with the South Sea Company, and the French trade. Among them, clothing, objects associated with food service and display and those considered "exotic" will be identified. We will try to understand how they build frames for use and new symbolic borders, in the process of change and consolidation of social relations derived from the renunciation of the colonial pact previously in force, but distancing themselves from objects of local origin, such as the timid pumpkins enasted in silver or those of grass varnish. We will identify, through documentary sources, testimonies, material culture and images, those "things" that allow the construction and development of new social uses. The research will result in an academic study, within the framework of the cultural history of objects, for the understanding of the senses of material culture in society, through the identification and analysis of "epiphanic" objects, its circulation and use.

15th UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COMPETITION