Belleza de Barrio

In this book, the author sets aside his prejudices and seeks beauty from a perspective other than his own. He forgets his assumptions, determined by the commercial filters of the advertising machine, and tries to reach inside the person, inviting them to be beautiful, to show their own idea of beauty: the beauty they want to project in their environment, in their neighbourhood. The beauty they want to see reflected in the mirrors of their home.

There is much talk about the canon of beauty, about standards, and when we talk about beauty, we are actually talking about an official, unique style, with references imposed by magazines. But ultimately, beauty is a virtue that is imposed from birth. You either have it or you don't, and today, when you try to transform it with a scalpel, there is a risk that the result will turn the aspiring late bloomer into a design monstrosity. One of the people portrayed told me that ‘beauty is self-esteem; it's about looking good for yourself, not for others.’

Accepting, then, that no aesthetic judgement is more valid than another, in Belleza de Barrio [Neighbourhood Beauty] I set aside my prejudices and seek beauty from a perspective other than my own. I forget my assumptions, determined by the commercial filters of the advertising machine, and try to reach inside the person by inviting them to be beautiful, to show their own idea of beauty: the beauty they want to project in their environment, in their neighbourhood. The beauty they want to see reflected in the mirrors of their home.