Plantation II Paradise: Designing the Caribbean, 2018. 
​Multi-media series, concept and design by Pilar Castillo. 
​
This body of work is a multi-media series based on interrogating the visual narrative of Caribbean history from Plantation to Paradise. Each medium is carefully considered to interpret the story and aesthetic for Designing the Caribbean. The research and concept for this work was developed for my MFA graduate thesis at Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA.​

​Existing precariously as the largest tourist dependent economy in the world, the Caribbean is in a crisis that is literally glossed over with ad-campaigns perpetuating the narrative of ‘tropical romanticism.’ Since the 16th century plantation era, the region has been defined by pirate tales and exotic encounters connecting the old and new world. Today, tourism industry practices have further contributed to the lack of representation and reciprocity toward local communities. Despite the recent catastrophic hurricane season, the scheme for marketing the Caribbean remains dominated by tourism industry standards.
​
My role as a designer and citizen of the Caribbean community, has ignited in me a desire to revisit my own story within the framework of cultural discourse and identity politics; ultimately to participate and contribute toward cross-cultural understanding and civic dialogue. My current work is a multi-media series based on the aesthetics of identity and representation, within the context of the tourism industry. The intention is to generate discussion, visualization and manifestation of a homegrown aesthetic to shape a more sustainable future for the Caribbean community.

Arrivals, 2018
Each 4.25” x 5.5” postcard series.
From the multi-media series Plantation II Paradise, Designing the Caribbean.

Handkerchiefs, 2018
​Each 17.5” x 17.5” digital collage on cotton fabric.
From the multi-media series Plantation II Paradise, Designing the Caribbean.

Ode to the Belizean Creole Proverb, 2018
17” x 11” poster series.
From the multi-media series Plantation II Paradise, Designing the Caribbean

Mopan, 2018
36” x 36” textile design/sarong.
From the multi-media series Plantation II Paradise, Designing the Caribbean

Video Essay, 2018
Video essay extended version 11:42, preview 2:21.
From the multi-media series Plantation II Paradise, Designing the Caribbean.