in daily memoriam

by gabriel castro-andrade

“Pepe's Memorial” invites reflection on the nature of truth, memory, and the life within a community marked by blurred boundaries and undocumented realities. Through a series of vignettes and rumors, we hear interpretations of why Pepe, an undocumented immigrant in Orange, New Jersey, lost his life. The speculations range from victimhood to betrayal. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the community members construct moral lessons from Pepe's story, emphasizing themes of loyalty, survival, and justice. These narratives serve as a means to navigate the complexities of life in the Valley of Orange, imparting cautionary tales onto the younger generation.  

Amidst community speculation, the essay highlights the personal impact of a young girl's ritualistic act of lighting candles at Pepe's memorial. Her gesture transcends the constructed narratives, acknowledging Pepe's existence beyond the confines of societal expectations and moral judgments. In doing so, she underscored the value of his life, irrespective of the narratives imposed upon it.

Work by: Gabriel Castro-Andrade

Gabriel Castro-Andrade / M.Arch ‘25 / is an Ecuadorian and Catracho American from Highland Ave in Orange, NJ. He is a Master of Architecture Candidate '25 with a concentration on the relationships between labor, grief, and migration within the built environment across the Americas. His design work, both in studio and within professional practice, focuses on what is purposely missing between the scales of interiors and urbanism. Working across these scales as directed by the political economies of absence, construction, and self-recognition.