Paradox-Paradise: A Meditation on Guam's History with Acculturation

In this presentation, Michelle briefly recounts their personal experience with the island of Guam's history of invasive cultural influences, acculturation, and rise of the tourism industry. They frame these historical changes as the inspiration for a 9-style pixel font whose creation meditates on the erasure and commodification of an island paradise. The name of this talk derives from a 1972 speech given by Dr. Pedro Cruz Sanchez titled "Paradox in Paradise" which warns of the inevitable shortcomings of the American economic structure, but encourages listeners to lead the way in raising the quality of life regardless of who you are.