In countless videos of Cuba, showcasing the crumbling, colorful streets of Havana, one can almost always see the same face adorning the walls: Che Guevara, a symbol of the Revolution. If not Che, then it’s propaganda posters of Fidel or Raul Castro. Recently, however, street artists have been adding the faces of regular, everyday citizens. In the video, “Wrinkles of the City”, one of the artists points out what the Cuban citizens wonder looking at their work: “One doesn’t see ordinary people on large walls in the city… it is not Fidel or Raul, nor Che Guevara. Who is this person?(“Wrinkles in the City”). Besides who is this person, what does this work mean? I think it’s a way of giving Cuba back to the people through visual representation. When people are only used to seeing Che Guevara and the Castro brothers, the most renowned people of Cuba and head figures of the Revolution, it is very powerful to see new faces. The “Wrinkles of the City” video was particularly focused on the elderly people of Havana. The two artists would find the elderly walking the streets of Havana, ask to take their picture and hear their story before plastering their picture to the crumbling wall. With these pictures, the artists would create strange calligraphy to represent their story- I can only wonder the exact meaning behind this. My thoughts are that the artists are attempting to recognize the hard lives of the elderly during the Revolution: they suffered and/or worked for Cuba as the well known figures did. Perhaps the calligraphy is unreadable because the average person will never hear or truly understand the individual’s story, but that’s just an idea of the symbolism.
Another interesting point raised in “Wrinkles in the City” is when one of the artists says “the reaction [to the art] reveals the society; reveals how they think” (“Wrinkles in the City). When the artists are working on the streets of Havana there are lots of crowds and people asking about their project. They want to know why and what it means. Some feel threatened like one older man who said he would erase the artists’ work the next day while others assure they give them permission to continue to paint. These people who are more open to the project seem to be younger, making me wonder if these varied reactions are reflections on generational beliefs- particularly, perhaps, in regards to the Revolution ideals. One of the better reactions of the art is from Jose, one of the men who was painted, who is clearly pleased when people point out that he’s the man on the wall; showing the power of the art on those whose stories are being told to their city.
The artists who put together “Wrinkles in the City” are not the only ones putting up portraits of citizens who are not Fidel, Raul or Che. One artist paints murals of neighborhood children because he thinks it is a way to connect the public to his art, and children are the future of Cuba (Cuban Streets artists turn city walls into gallery). Though Yulier P.’s figures are more alien-like than anything they are still works of street art that aren’t propaganda, but rather self expression for the community (Graffiti Artist in Cuba launches New Project).
What do you think putting the faces of average people on buildings means? What do you think street art reveals about Cuban society?
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned that the work of "Wrinkles in the City" gave Cuba back to the people, because I totally agree. I think it was very powerful for the Cubans to see their family members and neighbors sharing the walls with Fidel and Che. To me, it was like the art was validating the citizens importance to Cuba, something I'm not sure they hear often. Additionally, I too wondered about the meaning behind the calligraphy. I think my thoughts were along the same as yours as I believed they represented each individuals unique thoughts/memories they've gathered throughout their lives. Lastly, to answer your final question, I believe the street art in Cuban society reveals the individuality as well as the issues of interest and concern of the Cuban people that often get overlooked due to the communist form of government. One question I wondered was do you think the government is listening? I know they're aware the street art has meanings of significance, but do you think they take any of it into consideration?
Hey Ingrid,
DeleteI agree: I think it's pretty powerful that citizens are able to feel validated through this street art! As you said, they probably don't get it very often. You raise a good question. I do think the government is hearing what the artists are saying, but I don't know if they're really listening to the message. I feel as though the government is probably more focused on whether or not art is going against the Revolution's ideals (especially if it's insulting Che or the Castro brothers)and less about what the people are trying to say/mean.
Hey Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog. The purpose of graffiti can be to tell a story; it can be to tell you about a specific moment in time where everything either went bad or good; it can be to tell you about people, politics, culture, art, places and society in general; it can be to express yourself anonymously. It has been said that street art is nothing else but Urban Poetry that catches someone’s eye. Art acts as an evolutionary act. Putting the faces of average people on buildings can possibly mean that faces are usually the first thing we notice in other people. So having faces on art work can help a heroic person stand out, be noticed or it can be an image of who the artist is. Faces can mean many different things, it's more based on the artist than anything.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHey Brianda,
DeleteThanks! I liked what you said about graffiti- I think the story, expression and meaning behind it is what makes it so interesting to me. There never really is an exact meaning really and it can really be up to interpretation. You're right- the artist may be the only one to truly know and understand. Street art is such a free thing though, maybe no one can really get down to the bottom of it. Yulier Rodriguez said something interesting in one of the videos about how street art is naturally free and can't be defined. I think that's a really interesting concept.
Sorry I accidentally deleted my comment the first time!
DeleteI think the street art exists to allow a sense of individuality in a society where that is usually repressed. Painting regular citizens on the walls may have made the country less tense. Just having the faces of leaders on the walls makes it very Big-Brotherish, and seems like a dictatorship. With murals done by citizens and the faces of citizens being added to the walls, it shows that they are a part of Cuba too, and vital to the culture of Cuba. I think art is beginning to be used as a way to express oneself where freedom of speech is limited. I think some Cubans are beginning to include subtle messages in their art that the government would not necessarily approve of as a form of control and rebellion. The street art represents the small ounces of freedom they have and what they want from the world and the calligraphy represents their thoughts. Do you think the government will begin to outlaw street art?
ReplyDeleteHey Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a good point: having those certain faces of Che, Fidel and Raul is pretty overwhelming- like the citizens are constantly being watched and ruled by them. Then again, that may be the (unfortunate) point. Adding the faces of everyday citizens, especially those with wrinkled faces and a calligraphy of stories, would bring a, as you mentioned, less tense atmosphere. What you wrote made me realize that the citizens' faces could be a softer more comforting "I"m looking over you" than the propaganda: a parental instead of commander approach. As for your question: I think the government may begin to outlaw street art, but they'll only do it if spurred into action- if the messages in the art become less subtle in their nature of change.