Faraway brother style
The photographic series Faraway Brother Style
by Walterio Iraheta parodies the international publications by Taschen
concerning architecture entitled New York Style, London Style or Paris Style,
focusing on the emigrant architectural style in El Salvador: Faraway Brother
Style. The term "hermano lejano" [faraway brother] refers to a friend
or relative who emigrated from El Salvador, generally to the United States, and
who sends back money that helps the family finances of the Salvadorians. Iraheta
resorts to a photographic series to identify certain recurrent patterns in this
new style.
He calls attention to substantial changes in the architecture of rural zones, where amongst modest houses there now begin to sprout “small-scale castles or palaces” of various floors. Built in an eclectic form that freely blends columns, decorative elements, colors, arches and ceramics of classic, baroque and kitsch style; or even the North American style of the shingled roof sloped for snow, transplanted into the hot climate of El Salvador. Iraheta’s series identifies the way of life of the Salvadoran emigrant as a particular style in its own right, like that of one of a metropolis; approaching the concept of style more in terms of a way of life than frivolous and arbitrary connotations of elegance or good taste.
Alfons Hug • Paz Guevara
He calls attention to substantial changes in the architecture of rural zones, where amongst modest houses there now begin to sprout “small-scale castles or palaces” of various floors. Built in an eclectic form that freely blends columns, decorative elements, colors, arches and ceramics of classic, baroque and kitsch style; or even the North American style of the shingled roof sloped for snow, transplanted into the hot climate of El Salvador. Iraheta’s series identifies the way of life of the Salvadoran emigrant as a particular style in its own right, like that of one of a metropolis; approaching the concept of style more in terms of a way of life than frivolous and arbitrary connotations of elegance or good taste.
Alfons Hug • Paz Guevara
