A multidisciplinary approach
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@darelizgiselle
THE IDENTITY
Puerto Rican identity exists between inherited culture and imposed structures. This concept explores how African, Spanish, Indigenous, and American influences coexist within Puerto Rican identity, shaped by heritage, colonial history, and contemporary life. Traditional elements, natural textures, and the tropical landscape represent cultural roots and a sense of belonging, while structured professional clothing and modern elements reflect external expectations and imported ideas of identity. Through the contrast between “La Herencia” and “Lo Impuesto,” the story explores the tension between preserving cultural roots and adapting to social and professional structures that do not always reflect Caribbean reality.
creative direction: darelizgiselle
THE DEPRESSION
This image is intended to tell a story through performance rather than simply document a moment. I wanted to portray the ritual of having to put yourself together even on days when you do not feel your best. The red lipstick becomes almost symbolic: a deliberate attempt to appear polished and composed. At the same time, the casual, slightly neglected clothing creates a contradiction between appearance and reality. By approaching the photograph almost as an actress playing a character, I wanted the image to capture that private moment between how we feel and how we prepare ourselves to be seen by others.
photography: darelizgiselle
THE PERFORMANCE
In a society where appearances often define how we are perceived, emotional well-being can become another part of the image we construct for others. This concept explores the pressure to appear happy, composed, and in control, even when our internal reality tells a different story.
Through dramatic lighting, dark makeup, plastic wrapping, and the presence of a smartphone, the visual narrative examines the relationship between emotional isolation and the performance of happiness. The plastic symbolizes the invisible expectations that restrict personal expression, while the smartphone represents the carefully curated version of ourselves that we allow others to see.
As the subject gradually disappears into darkness, the photographs reflect the emotional consequences of constantly maintaining an acceptable public identity. The occasional smile becomes particularly unsettling, questioning how much we can truly understand about someone's emotional state through their appearance.
The series challenges a culture that encourages constant visibility while often overlooking the emotional realities behind the images we consume.
Creative Direction &, makeup and concept: Dareliz Giselle
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