I noticed that there were no visible signs of native architecture in the videos of the Cuban Architecture series. Even in America, native tribes have had some influence over the architecture of America in places like New Mexico. I wonder what the buildings looked like before colonialism, and if there are any records of the architecture that could be found. It would be a shame to lose this bit of history to imperialism.
I was also surprised at how religion and America have influenced the country’s architecture. Although many buildings were built before the revolution, there are still multiple religious symbols seen throughout the architecture. I was surprised to see that these were not taken down or removed. Additionally, according to the brief reading on architecture, the 1912 Spanish Railway Center and the Lopez Serrano Building are modeled after the U.S. Capitol Building and Rockefeller Center respectively. These were built in the 1930s, and they still stand today. With the tensions between Cuba and the United States, it seems strange that two important Cuban buildings that are influenced by America still stand. Of course, it would likely be way too expensive for the nation to rebuild, but I wonder if Cubans are bothered by it. I wonder if protests against the United States take place there, or if Cubans do not know what these buildings are copies of. I also found it ironic that the U.S. Capitol building houses Congress and is a representation of our freedom, which is not synonymous with what the Castro regime sees as “free”.
What does the architecture look like in other parts of Cuba? As Havana is the heart of Cuba and a tourist destination, I’m sure Havana’s architecture was given more attention throughout history. I remember from Cuba and the Cameraman that the brothers lived in a very simple home. Out in the country, there may be less Spanish influence. This is why I don’t understand how the architecture industry can last in a socialist nation. If some people get to live in nicely designed, although falling apart, distinct Cuban homes, and others need to live in simple shacks, I feel like this would be a division between the people as everyone is supposed to be equal. The country must figure out a way to distribute resources, yet not everyone has the same space. I also wonder how the crumbling architecture will be replaced. With small bits of capitalism entering Cuba, richer areas with more tourists will likely get upgrades first, further dividing the classes. I worry that Cuba will not be able to keep up with their failing infrastructure and architecture when many of their architects work outside of the country, have plans for expensive houses that don’t fit the socialist agenda, and when the country is too poor to place a large amount of money into construction, as seen in Cuba and the Cameraman.
How should Cuba deal with its crumbling architecture while preserving its charm? How do you think Cubans respond to international people building expensive homes and hotels among them? Do you think there will begin to be a divide as some Cubans are able to live in larger, newer homes even though the country is still socialist?
You bring up a good point about in Cuba and the Cameraman the farmer had a much smaller house. I do not think Cuba cares about the crumbling architecture unless it is a tourist area where they will make revenue. In a lot of the videos we have watched in all of the modules houses and buildings are falling apart and have not been touched unless they have been touched by art. I think the Cubans who are for tourism will like international buildings for tourism. The people who want Cuba to stay the same will get upset. I can see both sides in that argument Cuba is so beautiful because it has been untouched but if it is crumbling they we need financial help by building international buildings. Although Cuba is socialist your point about richer areas will get upgrades first does that mean for example if you live in the city your apartment will be redone by the government before the people in the farm land get an upgrade? If so how can Cuba be a socialist is everyone is not equal at that point?
ReplyDeleteYour questions are exactly what I am asking. I see it as the nation is still trying to label itself as socialist, but as we have seen in the previous two modules, bits of capitalism have started to sneak in to the country. This surely means that some people have different incomes from others. Additionally, Havana is simply "richer" due to more resources and a stronger economy than the other areas. I agree with you that if upgrades happen, Cuba will upgrade high-tourist areas first in order to continue to attract foreigners, but will this cause people from the country to be upset? Will this cause division between the people of Havana? For instance, in Viva Cuba, Jorgito and Malu were of different social classes even though Cuba labels itself as socialist. How will an upgrade program be fair?
DeleteHi Rebecca, I think you bring up some great points. I don't understand your point about the lack of Native Architecture, since from my understanding the colonization removed all of the indigenous population? Do you think their culture would still be represented in the present architecture? To answer your first question, It seems like in the past few decades preserving their architecture was not an option due to the economic hardships. Which actually lead them to this problem. In one of the films the architect explains the usage of beach sand which has salt and does cause it to crumble. This was a much cheeper alternative for builders to use at the time. I think your next two questions are extremely interesting. I really am unsure, I do think that there are two sides with great arguments. New buildings could help to bring tourist while others want to preserve the historic look to Havana. I think in the socialist society much of peoples access money is from working on the Black Market or in tourism, others could become upset though that is how it has always been, so I don't think it will change much.
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, I believe that Cuba needs to move into a capitalist economy. This will solve their problems and they will be able to generate more income to fix their infostructures. As seen in the “Cuba and the Cameraman”, some buildings and towns have looked exactly the same for fifty years and there has been no economic growth. Not to mention also in the film, Luis needed to fix up his house but he had no money nor supplies to do so. But, when the cameraman came back to visit him, Luis was the owner of a private business selling building supplies and has made a quite a profit from it. I think Cubans would respond very well to international people building expensive homes and hotels, it will finally fix up the town they live in and boost their economy by doing so. Also, this will boost the street side curb appeal since generally their architecture in Cuba is dating back to Spanish Colonial times. I don’t think there will be much of a divide because think of it like the United States, New York City gets “upgrades” all the time because it’s in city. Whereas, in suburban areas they are less likely to get as many “upgrades” as in an urban area. Not to mention, they are already used to the contrasting ways of life of living in a suburban vs an urban area. Suburban and urban ways of life are completely different and I have had the experience of living in both types of areas. So, being able to see the differences of suburban vs urban, the people living in both would not notice a difference. Do you think Cuba should preserve the Spanish Colonial architecture or start from scratch?
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