Heterotopia (Michel Foucault)

Heterotopia, a concept by Michel Foucault, refers to real spaces that exist within society but are different from everyday environments, often embodying multiple or conflicting meanings. Examples include cemeteries, museums, or prisons—places that reflect and challenge social norms, and where different values or behaviors can coexist. These spaces reveal how society organizes itself, highlighting contrasts between social standards and actual practices, serving as mirrors or critiques of societal structures. Heterotopias help us understand how space shapes our experience and reveal underlying power dynamics within culture.