Hope & Metamorphosis in San Jose, Costa Rica

Two art installations currently on display in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica explore the ideas of hope, it's virtues and shortfalls, and showcase an artist's journey in textiles. Both invoke thoughtful conversations and inspiration to explore our own surroundings as art. 

+/- Esperanza (+/- Hope) is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MADC). 28 artists from Central America and the Carribean explore ideas of Hope. Surprisingly, some of these pieces looked at hope from an anxious or deathly perspective. I think these add a level of depth to the entire exhibition. 

My personal favorite is the first photo below. Outside of the Jade Museum, It quotes a very famous Costa Rican writer and poet, Isaac Felipe Azofeifa Bolaño, of which translates to, "Yes, child. The stars have parted, but it never becomes more dark than just before dawn." I find the quote especially appropriate with the image because I've watched this moment many times now with the homeless scattered throughout San Jose. And as an outsider, it's a very dark moment where all you can feel is hope that everyone with less, could have more. 

The National Museum is currently housing a garden of variety and beauty in it's once eery prison chambers. Metamorphosis. A New Cycle is an exhibit of textile art that transforms many fabrics, paper plates, coke tabs and more into displays that take the imagination for a spin. Costa Rican artist, Sylvia Piza-Tandlich, has worked with her community based artists to create these individual pieces that are strung together with threads and links to showcase some extremely impressive handmade pieces. The last photo shows the latrine that has parts of the ceiling from the old Municipal Theater. 

Textile over old Kimono

A Garden

White

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.