I definitely believe in all cases artists are influenced by surroundings and that’s what creates their masterpieces. In my opinion, it’s the artists way of expressing themselves in their current situation. Cuban art is heavily influenced by their heritage from Spain and Africa. Fidel Castro Ruz supported artists when he first came into power. Socialist revolution was embraced by Cuban artists that time, allowing them to paint the life of Cuba when it’s under the Spanish empire colony (“Cuban Art History”). Cuba is known for having fantastic art and dance schools possibly the best in the world. But during the time of the revolution, the Cuban government censored artist’s paintings and would not allow revolutionary paintings to be made. A similar situation happened in Mexico with activist painter, Diego Rivera. However, Diego Rivera continued to paint murals all over different buildings expressing his opinion on the current situation on hand. Whereas in Cuba, paintings were not allowed period. Could you imagine not being able to not only express yourself but also not allowed to express your opinion because your government is holding you back? I think not being to express your opinion in art paintings is similar to not having freedom of speech. I believe every human-being should have the right of freedom of speech. What consequences do you think would have happened if Cuban artists painted revolutionary paintings? What would you have done if you were in this situation and you weren’t able to express yourself? Is it fair to you or others? Are there any changes you would make to the Cuban government?
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Blog Post #2- La Historia de Cúba: La Música, El Baile, y Las pinturas
Imagine being without internet, iPhone, iPad, iMac, or any electronic device you can think of that’s accessible in the United States. In Cuba, music and dance are their primary source of entertainment. The streets are filled with street dancers and Cuban music playing in the background along with street painters. Now, Cuban artists are allowed to sell their paintings in the streets of Cuba to earn an income. According to Omar, in the video “Cuba: The Art Revolution”, creating different art paintings allows him to feed his family and pay for more art supplies. Before, artists were not allowed to sell or conduct business as a free enterprise due to Cuba having a communist government. However, artists are now the top paying job in Cuba since tourism is booming. Tourists are willing to pay $80 for a single painting because it’s considered “cheap” to them and maybe one day their artwork will become famous, so they have them sign the bottom of the painting (“Cuba: The Art Revolution”). Some Cuban artists are now allowed to travel to different countries to showcase their art since Cuban art used to not be easily accessible due to Fidel’s regime. Cuban artists like, Los Carpinteros, were not allowed to travel to the United States even though their artwork was being showcased throughout the country. This was due to the United States Trade Embargo and travel ban placed on Cuba. Do you believe that this was right of the United States to not allow them to come to showcase their own artwork?!
I definitely believe in all cases artists are influenced by surroundings and that’s what creates their masterpieces. In my opinion, it’s the artists way of expressing themselves in their current situation. Cuban art is heavily influenced by their heritage from Spain and Africa. Fidel Castro Ruz supported artists when he first came into power. Socialist revolution was embraced by Cuban artists that time, allowing them to paint the life of Cuba when it’s under the Spanish empire colony (“Cuban Art History”). Cuba is known for having fantastic art and dance schools possibly the best in the world. But during the time of the revolution, the Cuban government censored artist’s paintings and would not allow revolutionary paintings to be made. A similar situation happened in Mexico with activist painter, Diego Rivera. However, Diego Rivera continued to paint murals all over different buildings expressing his opinion on the current situation on hand. Whereas in Cuba, paintings were not allowed period. Could you imagine not being able to not only express yourself but also not allowed to express your opinion because your government is holding you back? I think not being to express your opinion in art paintings is similar to not having freedom of speech. I believe every human-being should have the right of freedom of speech. What consequences do you think would have happened if Cuban artists painted revolutionary paintings? What would you have done if you were in this situation and you weren’t able to express yourself? Is it fair to you or others? Are there any changes you would make to the Cuban government?
I definitely believe in all cases artists are influenced by surroundings and that’s what creates their masterpieces. In my opinion, it’s the artists way of expressing themselves in their current situation. Cuban art is heavily influenced by their heritage from Spain and Africa. Fidel Castro Ruz supported artists when he first came into power. Socialist revolution was embraced by Cuban artists that time, allowing them to paint the life of Cuba when it’s under the Spanish empire colony (“Cuban Art History”). Cuba is known for having fantastic art and dance schools possibly the best in the world. But during the time of the revolution, the Cuban government censored artist’s paintings and would not allow revolutionary paintings to be made. A similar situation happened in Mexico with activist painter, Diego Rivera. However, Diego Rivera continued to paint murals all over different buildings expressing his opinion on the current situation on hand. Whereas in Cuba, paintings were not allowed period. Could you imagine not being able to not only express yourself but also not allowed to express your opinion because your government is holding you back? I think not being to express your opinion in art paintings is similar to not having freedom of speech. I believe every human-being should have the right of freedom of speech. What consequences do you think would have happened if Cuban artists painted revolutionary paintings? What would you have done if you were in this situation and you weren’t able to express yourself? Is it fair to you or others? Are there any changes you would make to the Cuban government?
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Hi Jessica -
ReplyDeleteI do think that artist should be able to sell their art internationally but with the United States I understand why they wouldn't allow them to come to the showcase. If the US allowed these artist to come they would have to allow every Cuban artist and if the artist isn't truly an artist and just trying to flee Cuba they would have an issue. I think the Trade Embargo would need to lifted completely before Cuban artist would be able to travel to showcases. I agree that every human should have freedom of speech. I think that if Cuban artist were caught painting revolutionary paintings they would have gone to jail. If you did anything against the government you were sent to jail so I feel that was the same for art. If I was in this situation I would go crazy. In the US we have had a freedom of speech our whole lives anything we disagree with we can express it through any form. I do not find it fair to others that they do not have the same freedom we do in the US but there government is run completely different then ours and once they change citizens will not have the right to express themselves.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI also talked about the freedom to express ourselves and freedom of speech and how it directly relates to the freedom to express ourselves through art in my discussion. I wrote about it being a human rights issue, but I understand that since the government in Cuba was so drastically different than that of the US, it makes sense why they would censor artists from doing what makes them most happy. If I could make a change to the Cuban government system in this regard, I would give artists a chance to express themselves in a different way, or in a secluded place where they can write, paint, draw what ever theyd like, but the art couldnt leave that area (this is if the communist regime is still in place). Ideally, the artists can create whatever type of art theyd like and share it with the world, but knowing Castro, and knowing the way communism works, that wouldnt be possible. I think that my suggestion would work in this sense, do you?
Hi Emely,
DeleteI think you have come up with a great solution/alternative for the Cuban government to allow Cubans to express themselves freely. I 110% agree that not allowing people to express their opinions freely is a human rights issue, even if it is in a form of art. Everyone has a right as human-being to be allowed to relay what's on their mind in any sort of writing, art, song, or speech. I wish everyone in this world could treat each other with respect and not try to dictate over others.
If Cuban artists are revolutionary, they risk being detained as seen in the readings and videos for this module. I'm sure there could be longer prison sentences for those who continue to be revolutionary or for those who have more revolutionary messages. I think the communist government would stop at nothing to make sure that these artists cannot spread their messages. In this situation, I'd be incredibly hopeless. I feel like I wouldn't know how to express myself for fear of being questioned. I would likely want to leave the country. It is not fair that Cubans can not express their fears and concerns without being targeted my the government. Art is how human emotion is portrayed, and artists should not only show positive emotions. It's a disservice to themselves and those who enjoy their art. If I were the government, I would allow artists to create what they want, but this would involve rolling back communism. I would allow artists to study in other countries and showcase their art, because this could also support Cuba and bring recognition to one of the largest parts of Cuban culture. If Cuba continues to limit free speech and oppress their people, do you think more people will continue to flee? Will more people create art opposing Cuba in free nations? Will this cause other countries to try and encourage Cuba to end their oppression?
ReplyDeleteWhen hearing that the United States didn't allow Los Carpinteros to enter the country and showcase their artwork that was being shown all over the country, I thought we were in the wrong. If they're artwork is acceptable to travel through the states, it should be acceptable for the artists to be there with it. I also didn't understand why it's only certain times when artists are denied entry to the country because another time Los Carpinteros did make it in and got to be present to showcase their work. I fully agree with your point that expressing your opinion in art is similar to freedom of speech. Art is a way to show your thoughts rather than speak them. It's not fair to the Cuban people to have that right taken away from them. If I were in that situation I would most likely want to leave the country as many others had done. It would be very difficult to live under such oppressive laws.
ReplyDelete