Cuban art has gone through the same oppressive cycle that the citizens of Cuba have themselves. While Cuba was under the control of Spain, the art was also under its control. Most Cuban art during its colonial years fell under the categories of classicism, romanticism, and neoclassicism. Once Cuba gained independence from Spain, its art took the form of the Vanguardia movement. During this movement, its members fled from Cuba to Europe in order to continue to learn about art. Artists did this because art became censored with the rise of communism and Fidel Castro. For artists, censorship is one of the worst possible ways to create art. Making art is all about having your voice heard and sharing with the world what you feel should be shared. The second another person tells you what to create, some of your own creativity is lost. When those who were in the Vanguardia movement returned to Cuba, they felt this stress even more. As Cameron stated in After Fidel..., “coming back to Cuba, coming face to face with the absence of freedoms in their home country, makes it more unsustainable over time to maintain a lack of freedom” (After Fidel…, 4). After feeling a sense of freedom of expression in Europe, returning to Cuba felt like even more of a prison artistically. For this reason, those in the Vanguardia movement became more political in their pieces. Rather than going against the Cuban government outright, the art of the Vanguardia movement oftentimes had more subtle social commentary regarding issues such as the relationship between the poor and the elite, and the need for change.
Recently, artists have been more open about their disagreements with Cuban politics. After reading several articles on this topic, I find modern Cuban artists to be very courageous. Two artists that stuck out to me specifically are Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera. Up until recently, the political situation in Cuba has been very restrictive. I believe that as a US citizen, it is hard to imagine having restrictions on speech. On US news, there are stories that openly go against the president and many famous artists or actors also make open statements regarding issues such as this and do not get in any trouble. In the PBS video, The Art Revolution, it is stated that, “political dissent in Cuba can land you in jail, but when asked what kind of changes he would propose, Marco didn’t flinch” (The Art Revolution, 09:46-09:54). Marco, in Los Carpinteros, shows that he cares more about change than he fears about getting in trouble. I also thought that their fallen lighthouse piece makes a strong statement that can be easily interpreted by viewers. Tania Bruguera is even more extreme. Her pieces are entirely influenced by the political issues that are currently facing Cuba. She aims to blur the line between art and political activism. In Cuban Artist Pushes Boundary... , the price that Bruguera pays is, “Bruguera was arrested, along with more than two dozen supporters” (Cuban Artist…, 1). This outcome came after Bruguera attempted to hold a free-speech forum. It seems impossible for me to imagine a life without free speech, but it is also easy to see why Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera are willing to risk it all in order to achieve it. Some questions that I have are, do you believe that the artists of Cuba’s political statements will result in change? And, with the Castros finally out of power, do you think art and culture in Cuba will explode from the new found freedom?
Recently, artists have been more open about their disagreements with Cuban politics. After reading several articles on this topic, I find modern Cuban artists to be very courageous. Two artists that stuck out to me specifically are Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera. Up until recently, the political situation in Cuba has been very restrictive. I believe that as a US citizen, it is hard to imagine having restrictions on speech. On US news, there are stories that openly go against the president and many famous artists or actors also make open statements regarding issues such as this and do not get in any trouble. In the PBS video, The Art Revolution, it is stated that, “political dissent in Cuba can land you in jail, but when asked what kind of changes he would propose, Marco didn’t flinch” (The Art Revolution, 09:46-09:54). Marco, in Los Carpinteros, shows that he cares more about change than he fears about getting in trouble. I also thought that their fallen lighthouse piece makes a strong statement that can be easily interpreted by viewers. Tania Bruguera is even more extreme. Her pieces are entirely influenced by the political issues that are currently facing Cuba. She aims to blur the line between art and political activism. In Cuban Artist Pushes Boundary... , the price that Bruguera pays is, “Bruguera was arrested, along with more than two dozen supporters” (Cuban Artist…, 1). This outcome came after Bruguera attempted to hold a free-speech forum. It seems impossible for me to imagine a life without free speech, but it is also easy to see why Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera are willing to risk it all in order to achieve it. Some questions that I have are, do you believe that the artists of Cuba’s political statements will result in change? And, with the Castros finally out of power, do you think art and culture in Cuba will explode from the new found freedom?
Hey Molly,
ReplyDeleteI do think that Cuban artists have the capabilities to create change for their country. I definitely don't think it will be easy as the government is becoming more aware of the artists' feelings and expressions of political unrest. Jasmine Weber writes an article on Decree 349 and basically describes how the government, through this decree, is trying to regulate and censor all cultural activity in Cuba- especially art. I do believe this is a reaction to- as you mentioned- the works of Los Carpinteros and Bruguera, which are somewhat revolutionary. Again, though, I do believe change will occur because of these artists especially because as they become more known on a global platform the more they are "protected". For example, the video about El Sexto talks about how he has been released in about 10 or so months instead of the several years that would be expected for his crime of insulting the leadership of the Castros. As you quoted in The Art Revolution, Marco, as part of the Los Carpinteros, wasn't afraid to state his unrest. I think Marco feels safe enough to state his feelings because of the success and fame of his art- nothing can happen to him by the Cuban government without the world knowing. I think these artists have more power than a lot of Cuba may realize.
Hi Molly,
ReplyDeleteI find it so interesting when you mentioned how the oppression Cuban art faced directly correlated with the oppression the Cuban people faced as I didn't pick up on this when reading. In a way this surprised me because I feel that the more restricted people are, the more they want to rebel. For this reason, it would make more sense to me if it was the other way around. Also I totally agree with you when you mentioned how you think Cuban artists are courageous as I had this same thought when reading how some artists, like Wilfred Lam, preferred to produce their art in exile as this allowed them artistic freedom. Also, I definitely think the Cuban artists political statements will result in change, especially because so many from all around the world are becoming fascinated with their art. I feel that because of this, there will be a greater sense for the Cuban government to change more so because outside countries and possible tourist may not want to have relations/visit a country like Cuba if its so oppressive. Lastly, to answer your final question, I feel like Castro's passing won't really have that big of an effect on the art in Cuba because his brother Raul is in power now and shares nearly all the same ideals as Castro.
It seems like as time goes on and the restrictions on art remain, more and more artists take part in expressing their political views through their artwork. It has become quite common to see their frustration with the Cuban government in their art. As you had mentioned, people like Los Carpinteros and Tania Bruguera are extremely courageous for being so outright about their views. I find it interesting how some of their artwork gets banned but some doesn't, specifically the fallen lighthouse sculpture. I feel as though that gives a very clear message about how things need to change yet it didn't get banned. It's pieces that that I think will encourage other artists to take the risk and be a voice for activism. These artists have the ability to reach a wide audience which can have a significant impact. At the rate things are going with the political artwork I believe that it will force some sort of change in the government since there is so much unrest in the Cuban society.
ReplyDeleteWith the Castros out of power, I don't think art and culture in Cuba will boom, at least not right away. I don't because the new president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, put the new law Decree 349 in place that severely restricts artists rights even more so than when the Castros were ruling. I think in time the art and culture will flourish but only after this on going battle between Cuban artists and the government.