An influential line for me during Unfinished Spaces was “Revolution is construction”. This quote made me realize how the architecture, music, and art in Cuba, were a form of development, just as the Revolution was, constantly changing as the time period and beliefs of the Cuban people changed. I noticed that the shifts of Cuban architecture mirrored those of the Revolution, clearly seen in the construction of the National Art Schools. When the Revolution began, Cuba had money to spend on elaborate architectural projects for the wealthy, such as the Havana Country Club. However, like the Revolution, Fidel felt that the architectural projects should be built for the people, stating, “Luxury projects are over. Gone are the great mansions and hotels. We’re now going to build for the people”. And so they did, until the ideas behind what architecture should look like and stand for changed, transforming it from something that represented creativity to something only used for practical purposes. However, I learn that the architecture within the country displays much more than what was seen in Unfinished Spaces. Cuban Architecture states how Cuba ranges in architectural diversity from colonial structures, neo-classical, baroque, art deco, art nouveau, and electric, all having been influenced by the preferences of the time.
As Cuba has existed long before the Revolution, it made sense when I noticed early periods of Cuban music had little correlation to recent ideals. However, I noticed nearly all Cuban music had been formed by the people, ideas, and historical events of the time. Specifically, Cuban Music History discussed how many genres were influenced by people and cultures, such as Danzón, Charanga, and Folk music, which were inspired by Europeans, Haitians, and African slaves and European/Chinese immigrants, respectively. Additionally, throughout time, the preferences for certain music has continually shifted. For example, in the ’20s and ’30s Son was the style of choice, but was altered in the ’40s to express more African roots, and in the ’70s to incorporate Latin musical forms such as the mambo and rumba. One line that caught my attention was “Modern Cuban music is known for its relentless mixing of genres”. This stood out to me because it followed what Yanet and the Profesora mention in Music Education in Cuba: Yanet the Cellist and Music Education in Cuba: After the Revolution, which was that although classical music is beautiful, they like to incorporate pop music, as they “complement each other”. Overall, I felt as though Cuban music is a big mixing pot, full of different techniques and styles from cultures worldwide.
Finally, when focusing on Cuban street art, I noticed that it has developed from being a form of propaganda to something that has a deeper meaning. In Cuban street artists turns city walls into gallery Maisel Lopez paints his murals of children to improve the construction and development of society, in The Haunting Street Art Adorning Havana’s Oldest Buildings Yulier Rodriguez’s art is to “spark conversation”, and in Art in Wrinkles of the City JR and José Parlá create murals of senior citizens to share the different stories and “the wrinkles in humanity” that exist in Havana. Similarly, Consuelo Castaneda, a multidisciplinary artist in Miami, has used her art to help shift the popular understanding of the relationship between art and politics in Cuba and in wider Latin America.
Do you think if Cuba gained enough money it would reconstruct the deteriorating buildings? Or will they try and preserve them for the uniqueness and charm the world seems to love?
With more people traveling to Cuba, do you think future Cuban music genres will be influenced by them?
I'm sure Cuba would have to reconstruct the deteriorating buildings. Firstly, as the buildings deteriorate they would be dangerous to live in and dangerous to be around. Those who live in unsafe buildings may seek to move, or be asked to evacuate, and the state cannot risk its citizens feeling ignored by socialism. The government does not want protests or dissent. Additionally, as most of their capital is produced through tourism, there is a difference between "Cuban charm" and just a shell of a building. The country will lose the charm the world loves if the buildings decay to the ground. They'll lose their tourism and the country will suffer. Also, buildings can be rebuilt with the same architecture and designs, just as the Cuban neighborhoods in Miami, Tampa, and New York City have done. For your second question, I do not think the people travelling to Cuba will influence artists, rather I think that Cuban artists travelling from Cuba will learn and bring back new styles. Those who visit Cuba are typically there for specific tourist or educational events, yet recently Cubans have been allowed to be tourists in other countries. This very idea was discussed in the videos on Cuban Architecture, where it is stated that architecture and engineering students traveled outside of Cuba and brought back inspiration from those countries. Other than Spanish, what other examples of European music can be seen in Cuba? How does Afro-Cuban music differ from Creole music in America?
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca,
DeleteThat's a really good point. If the buildings in Cuba were left alone until they caused harm, that wouldn't be a positive thing for Cuban tourism. But like you said, the same style of buildings could be reconstructed. I'm interested to see what actually ends up happening. Additionally, to answer your first question, one example where other European styles have influenced Cuban music is Danzon. In Cuban Music History, it states that Danzon's "...roots lay in European ballroom dances like the English country dance, French contredanse and Spanish contradanza." Lastly, in regards to your final question, I'm not sure how Afro-Cuban music and Creole music differ? I know creole originated from Haiti, so besides the different cultural influence each genre has, I'm not sure. What do you think?
I think if Cuba gained enough money they would preserve the buildings like the ones in Old Havana but in areas that tourist visit I think they would just rebuild. Although if Cuba changes the way it looks I think it would hurt them finically then help them. Tourist want to go to Cuba because it looks like it is still in the 50's the more modern it becomes I think they will lose revenue. I feel that Cuba has a few styles of music that are distinct to Cuba. I do not think that American music styles will be future genres in Cuba but I could see European styles coming to Cuba. I think that European styles are more likely to go to Cuba because Cuban artist travel to Europe where they can not travel to the US.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie,
DeleteI agree with you when you mentioned how modernizing the country would harm Cuba as tourist want to see the antique-ness its known for. Also, that's a good point. I forgot that Cubans can't freely travel to our country, so it makes sense that more European influences may be seen soon in Cuban music rather than American.
Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea that art, architecture, and music are forms of development. Since these art forms are a means of self expression, it makes sense that the styles have changed with the Revolution and with other issues that the people have dealt with. I also agree that more modern artists in Cuba are willing to change up what Cuba has known throughout its history. By creating new ideas while still accepting some older ones, the melting pot that you are talking about has started to form. I think that Cuba would reconstruct the deteriorating buildings if they had enough money. Specifically with the Arts School, it has been such a defining structure to Cuba that I think they would want to make sure it didn't deteriorate anymore. I don't think they would tear down and rebuild, but would instead restore buildings so that they were completed as they originally were intended to be with a few new ideas introduced.
Hi Molly,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! I envisioned them restoring the buildings architecturally, but modernizing the structures, just as they did with the art schools in "Unfinished Spaces".