Tierras Prestadas

In “Tierras Prestadas,” González works to document the temporality of “structures” built on borrowed lands close to the Boulevard Isidro López, located in the city of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Isidro Lopez Boulevard is known to be an essential boulevard in the economy of the city of Saltillo because of its numerous manufacturing plants that take advantage of their proximity to the train rails. Such train rails connect Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The train is popularly named “The Beast” by migrants that use it to cross to the United States. 

These lands are lent to civic associations by the owners for recreation and to prevent paracadismo*. Improvised soccer and baseball courts are built in the place, with other temporal structures, allowing the players to relax and play after long shifts of work. It is common to see teams, from the fabrics located on the boulevard, train after work in these lands. 

*Paracadismo is a Spanish term used in Mexico, meaning when a person or a group of people occupies a building, house or vacant lot without the authorization of the owner and, in some cases, can obtain the land legally.