Jorge Otero-Pailos

About the Author

Jorge Otero-Pailos is a pioneering artist and scholar whose work bridges the disciplines of architecture, art, and preservation. Born in Puerto Rico and educated at Yale University, he has garnered international acclaim for his innovative approach to reimagining historical sites and artifacts through experimental methods. Otero-Pailos challenges conventional notions of conservation by infusing them with contemporary artistic practices, often employing materials like latex casts to capture the essence of decaying structures. His projects, exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Modern Art, provoke thoughtful discourse on memory, time, and cultural heritage. Through his seminal book Experimental Preservation, he articulates a manifesto for this interdisciplinary field, inspiring architects, artists, and historians alike to rethink the future of the past.