Another Perfect Day (Nothing but Blue Skies)
In the past, Puerto Rico relied primarily on the export of coffee, sugar cane, tobacco, rum, and textiles. Today Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and a sought tourist destination with its capital San Juan, being one of the most important ports in the Caribbean. In comparison to the different states of the United States, Puerto Rico is poorer than the poorest state with 41% of its population below the poverty line. However, when compared to Latin America, Puerto Rico has the highest GDP per capita in the region, as well as being the second most competitive economy among Ibero-American states, surpassed only by Chile.
The biggest boost arguably came in 1976, when Congress effectively exempted Puerto Rico-based companies from paying federal income taxes. The goal was to boost the territory’s economy. The tax breaks, coupled with the island’s proximity to the United States, made it a prime destination for multinationals. Companies lured by low taxes, gentle tropic breezes, and reliably sunny weather made Puerto Rico a mecca of manufacturing. But the boom would be short-lived. Like the photos of these clear blue skies taken with an old 35mm camera, a closer inspection of the island's political and economic order which defined it as burnt out, revealing many of its flaws and imperfections.
1/5
Year: 2002-Ongoing
Medium: C-Prints
Dimensions: 20.32 x 30.48 cm ea.
All photographs in the series were taken with the same Canon 35mm SLR film camera.
