Escazú, a Forgotten Fantasy

This project uncovers the hidden beauty of San Rafael de Escazú, where simple architecture, close-knit communities, and lush gardens tell forgotten stories. Through black-and-white film, it captures a nostalgic glimpse into the magic of suburban life.

Most Costa Ricans will agree with me when I say that San Rafael de Escazú is a place where nothing ever happens, but if you look very carefully at the details and enchantments that this place holds, you can find many hidden stories.

The purpose of this project was to explore the beauty of the gardens, the art of observation, the closeness of the people, and the simple architecture of Escazú. As if these pictures were to hold a fantasy of what it’s like to live in latino suburbs, and to tell the story of the characters who inhabit them.

This project was shot in black and white film to make it seem as a parallel, hidden Escazú, that only those who look very closely can venture into.

I remember looking at pictures of Escazú from the seventies when I was a child, and everything seemed so untouched and magical. I believe that this story takes place in that era, when the land was only home to families whose households were recognized by their last names, and whose properties were connected by yards of grass and cattle.

These pictures invite to seek beyond the obvious, and explore fantasy tales of imagination.