4. Pop Vernacular
PR / 2018
From Independent Work w/ Gabriela Dávila
“A search for fresher cultural referents has begun amongst the Puerto Rican youth. In what we denominated as the ‘Boriwave Movement”, artists like Boriwave, Buscabulla, Aimbot, and Bad Bunny have all, within their respective fields, adopted a similar approach to Puerto Rican iden- tity. [...]they have turned to the banal, unofficial culture during times when official culture has lost its capacity to build a collective vision for a future Puerto Rico.” (excerpt from InForma)
How does architecture become active in this new wave of Puerto Rican pride? Pop Vernac- ular is a visual essay that attempts to translate the approach of the ‘Boriwave Movement’ into its architectural manifestation. This collection of 22 images (out of hundrends taken) recog- nizes the most common domestic architectural style in the island with a tone of exaltation and admiration for its banality. The project required visits to all around the island documenting the style’s contexts, elements, quirks and the processes of its making.
We developed a set of paraphernalia based on the visual essay as an exercise to broaden the Puerto Rican iconography through post cards, banners and posters.
Pop Vernacular was published as a visual essay in InForma, Issue 12 'Site Conditions'.
