Despite Puerto Rico’s bleak economic situation, colorful homes have brightened island culture. However, native Pablo Serrano says American influence has brought cultural destruction in the form of cheaper, uniform-looking apartment buildings.

26-year-old Pablo Serrano was born and raised in Dorado, a small town about an hour outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital. With the support of his parents, he left the island in 2008 to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, then subsequently moved to New York to pursue a career in photography post-graduation.

Pablo’s most vivid memory of the island is seeing the vibrant homes that line the streets of every barrio, an idea championed by anthropologist Ricardo Alegría in the 1940s. Since the revitalization, colorful homes have become associated with Puerto Rican culture and self-expression, as well as an identifying distinction between classes. However, the ongoing economic crisis has pushed thousands of natives to move stateside and seek better job or educational opportunities. In turn, migrants have taken a piece of their culture with them.

When Pablo returned to Dorado in 2012, he noticed many of the once-occupied homes left behind had been demolished by American developers trying to cash in on cheap land. Urbanizaciones, or condominum-style apartment building complexes, are slowly phasing out the colored homes the island is known for. Once full of life, laughter, and art, the island he loves is slowly turning into a shadow of itself.

Art has become Pablo’s way of fighting against Puerto Rico’s housing gentrification. He photographs the remaining homes in hopes that visitors will also see the beauty in his roots, and natives will keep the decades-old tradition despite a growing American influence.

TRANSCRIPTION:
Pablo
So this is like, this is where I live over here. Our house is kind of basically off the highway, and it’s right here.

The culture is basically being watered down, and then on top of that, the economic distress just, like, doesn’t allow for other things

Like every time I go back, like, Christmas spirit is like more…more muted.

That sense of ownership comes with a…with reflecting your style on it, being able to reflect your identity on it.

They don’t just want it to, like, look like the one next to it.

Attendee 1: They look like paintings (laughter)

Attendee 2: Pa’ la izquierda esta major? Pues, pa’ la izquierda.

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