PAJAREANDO POR PUERTO RICO
(Birdwatching through Puerto Rico)
Artist Book

Bird watching through Puerto Rico (Pajareando por Puerto Rico) is a one-of-a-kind artist book that documents my bird watching experiences as I explored different ecosystems in Puerto Rico. The word “pajareando” is a Spanish term meaning “wandering around,” “being unemployed,” or “being lazy.” It also involves going outside to visit habitats where birds can be counted and appreciated. The book intends to combine both ideas: the fact that I will soon have to move away from my home and will be unable to enjoy the wonders of the Puerto Rican outdoors. The exodus is due to the poor economy and corruption that affect the cultural and artistic spheres in Puerto Rico. Many Puerto Ricans have to abandon their country and look for better or different opportunities to survive. I knew I was on my way out, and I felt compelled to create a book that encapsulated the essential aspects of the uniqueness of the Puerto Rican ecosystem.

This book was created in 2011 and was my seminar project at the School of Visual Arts of Puerto Rico (@EAPD). I have presented the book in several spaces directed to humanities and avian-related biology studies. The countries include Puerto Rico, New York, Miami, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Berlin. For this reason, the book consists of actual sounds and illustrations that intend to capture the true essence of what it feels like to go birding in Puerto Rico.