JO COSME

*This the lenticular print and is 46in x 28in x 0.25in without a frame.

Work Description:
Due to relentless gentrification primarily driven by North American settlers acquiring the majority of real estate, native Boricuas express a disconcerting feeling as if the entire Borikén, Puerto Rico, is adorned with a massive 'For Sale' sign. It is alarming to witness the increasing presence of these signs every time I come home to visit. A vast amount of residential buildings have also been purchased by these North American settlers, evicting native Boricuas, and transforming it into Airbnb accommodations. The escalation is evident, with Puerto Rico witnessing a surge from just 1,000 Airbnbs in 2014 to a staggering 25,000 by 2023. I created these lenticulars to convey our shared sentiment in our native language, yet translated to ensure that potential future settlers can comprehend it.