Discussion 2: Art Culture Identity
I find the art culture in Cuba to be amazing. I like that it is an enormous part of their identity. I also like that it has historical significance and is rooted in the creation of an independent Cuba. For example Jose Martí was a huge figure in the fight against Spain in Cuba's war for independence. He was well known for his art and his poetry but he had a long lasting effect on the people of Cuba and people of Latin American countries. “Martíis influence has endured and may be said to embody a message for all people of all nations and cultures today.”(Google Arts and Culture). I like that in a similar manner to the “melting pot” the United States has for its people, Cuba is similar in the way that the arts are combinations of various cultures. For example the afro-cuban cultural movement included pieces. Not only was this in art work but also in the music that they created.One of the artists I found to be interesting was Wilfredo Lam. I found his talent to be interesting because he was very versatile and had created lots of artwork with various styles. I think this is impressive considering his artwork was worth lots of money and had many different approaches to his art. I also admired that he was constantly traveling and learning more about art from different parts of the world. Some of the artists have begun to rebel a little against the restrictions set by the government. My reaction to this is that it is good however it can’t only be a few it must be a lot of artists. If it is only a few it is easy to censor and to shut them down. But if many artists stand together it will have a larger impact. I think the political situation influences artistic movements by pushing Cuban artists to make more art. I think this because Castro really pushed for the creation of more arts and education. However, at the same time the political situation also suppresses art and art events because they are under strict control by the government. The government legislation also makes it very difficult for the artists to make money from their art; which we can assume will deter people from aspiring to make art. Even though according to one of the videos, artists are said to make more money than lawyers in Cuba.”The Decree 349 ruling is backed by legislation that is hard to work around, allowing governments to shut down concerts, performances, galleries, and art and book sales if they do not comply with the strict list of prohibited subject matter.”(Weber, 2018). The government uses the vague legislation to do as they please when it comes to suppressing art. Ultimately I think there are contradicting influences on the creation of art and expression through art.
Was there a specific Cuban artist that had caught your eye and what about their art did you like? Why did you like their style and what specific art piece was your favorite?
Do you think that the Cuban art movements will have a long lasting effect on their freedom of expression? Do you think that they will be able to break the barriers of Decree 349 or will they continue to be controlled by the government?
Weber, Jasmine. “As Criminalization of the Arts Intensifies in Cuba, Activists Organize.” Hyperallergic, 15 Aug. 2018, hyperallergic.com/453423/cuba-decree-349-censorship-arts/.
Hi Mac!
ReplyDeleteA group I particularly liked was Los Carpinteros. Their creativity and resolve was very admirable. I liked most how they were able to maintain plausible deniability with their artwork, where the government could not censor it because the meaning had to be understood based on Cuban cultural context and history. Because of this method of expression, I feel it also ties into your second question. Because artists are able to air grievances in this way they are able to comment on social affairs without reprecussions, which will no doubt influence domestic affairs moving forward. I think this is the only easy and calm way to defy the censorship without consequences, by essentially creating a massive in joke that people will understand but not be a call for change or revoultion like the government fears.
I also found Lam to be pretty interesting. I also did find it funny but sad when he said that his father would just stay behind to paint. in modern-day terms that would be the equivalent of your dad going on vacation because he can't do much around you. As I've said in a different blog post, decree 439 will lead to mostly illegal expansion of the Cuban Art Market. Since I don't want to reiterate what I said there, I'm going to focus more on the culture. As you said, Cuba is a very diverse country with many different ethnic groups. this diversity is brought together through art in Cuba. I don't believe that the government would want to fully get rid of Art and the sale of Art in Cuba because the last thing the Cuban government would probably want to do is make everybody mad and unify the masses. that'd be almost an American equivalent of taking tea away from the British, it's not a necessity but it's a major part of their lives. I wouldn't want to fully silence something I would attempt to try and change it because if you try and silence something fully you get a massive influx of rebellion but with change, you can alter it and put some amount of control however little it is on it. that is what I think the government is trying to do, limit and establish some more control without causing too much Rebellion. pretty much what they're doing is the smart way of controlling someone in comparison to the British. the British taxed Americans and kept them angry due to the Steep taxes while the Cuban government is still allowing art it is just very vague and semi-controlled. overall I think that the Cuban government is going to be fairly lenient on it due to their previous moves and I don't think that every single person in the cubic government shares the same ideas toward banning all art if that even is their end goal.
ReplyDeleteI think that art needs free speech. The strangle hold that Decree 349 puts on this free speech will cause either the decree to be repealed or art to be slowed to a halt. I think that the movements Cuban art has already had would not have been possible without leniency on the part of the Cuban government, and an increased list of restrictions will paralyze the community and damage the "art economy", as it were. The government in its current form cannot exist with art, and art cannot exist with the current government. One will bend, but certainly not break just yet.
ReplyDeleteI think Cuban art movement will undoubtedly play an important role in pushing the limits of what is allowed as free speech in Cuba, and will find creative ways to work around the imposed barriers of the government. In the case of worsening restrictions on those who speak against the government, I believe art will become critical as a vehicle for self expression. Primarily because it gives artists an alternative way to state their message and opinions without drawing the ire of the government, just as long as the message is cleverly hidden in the art and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. While I don't think decree 349 will be broken by art installations, I think it can be subverted and worked around with great creativity.
ReplyDelete