On the Study of: Unique

Jesu Cristo y La Virgin in San Jose, California

At a local Mexican supermarket in San Jose, California, I came across a collection of statues featuring Jesus and the Virgin Mary displayed on the top shelf. These figures are revered as strong symbols of Christian faith in Mexican culture, commonly found in homes and churches throughout the Americas. It's likely that the statues were placed on the top shelf out of religious respect, mirroring their positioning in Catholic churches.

However, seeing such important icons of religious faith being sold in a commercial setting made me reflect on the commercialization of faith. On the one hand, the presence of these statues can be seen as a way for individuals to personalize their religious experience by bringing these figures into their homes. On the other hand, it can also be viewed as a way to congeal faith with others, by making it a mass-produced commodity available for purchase.

​This small example of the intersection of faith and commerce highlights the tension between individualized spirituality and the commodification of religious icons.