Costa Rica in situ: urban observation

Recently I’ve had some time to work on and revisit projects that for whatever reasons have been set aside. One of these small but extremely vibrant series is composed of a split between urban San José, Costa Rica and some of the country’s more natural environments…rainforests.

As you may have seen in some of my other photography, populous cities and nearly-pristine natural areas are two of my favorite subjects. They are both invigorating and stimulating in their own ways despite their seeming dichotomous attributes.

Looking closer one may see that in many places nature is a series of sprawling cities with high population densities…except instead of humans the inhabitants are made up of my third favorite subject—insects—which I also photographed while there.

Anyway, I visited Costa Rica near the beginning of 2017 with a friend I had met a few years ago in Berlin; he is originally from Costa Rica and he said I could stay with his family at their house in San José as a base while I visited. Due to my fluctuating mental states (mostly downward), the amount of airline miles I had accrued, and my lack of liquid assets, a brief visit was all I could pull off. Going in January, even one day would have been worth it as I find winter an often depleting season to work through but fortunately I was able to spend eight days much closer to the equator and away from the bleak gray north Texas winter.

Like most of my trips I spent lots of time wandering around, observing the surroundings and occasionally interacting, more often content to simply take a photo in appreciation or an attempt to understand. Here are a few urban shots from this brief tropical excursion while fighting the blues. I will post the nature oriented ones later as a second entry.

Costa Rica in situ - la esquina

A woman casually chilling by some street art. There was plenty of political street art as well as more aesthetic and benign graffiti all around the city and in some residential neighborhoods.

Costa Rica in situ - cafe

We stopped in this cafe to get a drink and get out of the sun for a few minutes. The visual chaos and incongruous elements in so many places amazed and intrigued me.

Costa Rica in situ - Jurassic

All nature was on a beautifully massive scale. Compare the people on the right to the size of the trees. Even some urban/suburban parks had a prehistoric feel.

Costa Rica in situ - abuelito

One of my favorite things to do anywhere is ride buses around and look at what's going on both inside and outside of the bus. Here obviously I was concentrating on this older gentleman wistfully gazing out the window as we rode through Quepos.

Costa Rica in situ - mental wash

A street along the edge of the beach filled with so many shades of green that the man-made structures did not make the area feel claustrophobic. I briefly felt like I was in someone else's memory of a happy, contented day, satiated and ready to sleep well.

Costa RIca in situ - before sunset

Sun goes down in paradise and you have to find other ways to distract yourself from your crushing thoughts.

Costa RIca in situ - el cárcel

Watching people walk by through the garage door's reinforced bars a little before dusk. The classic faded pastel Latin American palate contrasts with the evenly spaced black vertical bars designed to prevent entry.

Costa RIca in situ - jesus cristo 666

I found her face calming and disturbing. It reminded me of my own oscillating ambivalence and reluctant acceptance of life. Bare and scarred with the markings of fanatic religion and hatred of religion, pedestrians pass with indifference. Just another sunny day anywhere.I don't normally take pictures of other people's art but this street art and a few other pieces I saw in San José struck me in a very personal way.

Costa Rica in situ - la viejita/fuck society

A woman walks by the former front of a building that has been demolished to be redeveloped. "FUCK SOCIETY" is written across the top.

Costa Rica in situ - walk home

This is me shadowing a guy who looks like he is relaxed--a skill I've been trying to improve at my whole life.

Costa Rica in situ - sky

The seemingly neverending shallow hills made it feel at times like I was walking in the sky and reminded me of spending time in some cloud forests (though instead of buildings they were rich in mosses and a variety of magical-looking plants).

Costa Rica in situ - la basura

Piles of trash next to a "no littering" sign. I tried not to be judgmental but I was saddened to see such amazing natural beauty in many places contaminated by irresponsible and ignorant humans.

Costa Rica in situ - laundry hanging

I have an indefinite project that consists of laundry hanging in places all over the world (everybody needs to dry their clothes). Here I thought I had gotten away with a shot but as you can see on the right near the edge of the fence, I was caught. I need to up my laundry game.