Welcome to Paradise: ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!

Opening: Thursday, March 7, 6:00 — 8:00pm Jo Cosme challenges widespread perceptions of Borikén, colonially known as Puerto Rico, as a Caribbean paradise against the capitalist and neocolonial realities native Boricuas have endured for over a century. Welcome to Paradise is an immersive multimedia installation featuring artworks that juxtapose the opulence enjoyed by some with the stark living conditions of others: lenticular photos contrasting housing inequities, a Discover Puerto Rico tourism campaign sign hand-stitched from hurricane tarps, a ten-foot inflatable Vejigante mask–a display of cultural identity–and a virtual reality simulation set on the beach, all paired with subversive messaging. Today, almost half of the island’s residents live below the poverty line, surpassing mainland rates by more than three times, and the situation is worsening, as the population continues to decline. Cosme exposes the complexities confronting native Boricuas–whether to persist in impoverished conditions, catering to tourists, settlers, and wealthy landowners, or face displacement. She says, “Showing this project in the continental U.S. serves as an educational experience to raise awareness and as a call to action against imperialism. My goal is to have North American audiences contemplate what it’s like to be a native inhabitant of the places they vacation and take land from.” This project was generously funded by a 4Culture Arts Project grant, Artist Trust, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and the Robert B. McMillen Foundation.

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2255128-0

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