inTonation: The Challenges of Illustrating Costa Rican Hybrid Culture

Abstract : This article explores the complexities and challenges of illustrating a hybrid culture such as that of Costa Rica. To address this problem, my poietic reflection is conceptualised within the framework named hybrid culture, a phenomenon theorised by the Latin American anthropologist Néstor García Canclini. From this theoretical perspective alongside a qualitative approach, this article starts with a non- chronological sample of art and literature works from the twentieth century relevant to my project. The artists reviewed are selected because they have directly contributed to the creation and critique of the imaginary visual identity in Costa Rica. The qualitative approach sets the basis to offer a reflection on the illustration of a hybrid culture. The second part of the article discusses the process and choices made to illustrate this hybrid identity from my personal interpretation and in my capacity as an illustrator.