Hola a todxs,
I am extremely sorry that I have been away for awhile. Keeping this blog up to date has been harder than I thought now that we have been back for about a month. I think about Cuba everyday and the experiences I shared with all my amazing classmates. They will always be my Cuban amores and our professor will always be “profe” [more like our favorite uncle than our teacher].
I am grateful for the fact that we all see each other regularly. I even celebrated my birthday yesterday with my Cuban roommate, Becca. Sadly, some of us are graduating this spring. Fordham will always feel different without your lovely presence. I wish the seniors all the best. Of course we will always be here for y’all and one day (hopefully) we will be reunited in La Habana.
On the flight from Miami to Havana, I remember gazing out the window at the world below. As soon as I saw the island slowly coming into view along the horizon, I fell in love with Cuba. I wish I could go back as soon as next week. However, we all have to be patient for now. I can’t believe it’s been a month sine I left Havana and landed back in Miami. So much has happened news wise concerning the changing relations between Cuba and the rest of the world! Within the month since we returned, President Obama met with President Raul Castro at the Summit of the Americas held this spring in Panama. It was also the first time Cuba has participated in the summit in a considerable number of years (20 years!). In fact, many of the Latin American countries within the Americas, banded together and proclaimed if Cuba was barred from participating, other nations would not attend out of solidarity with Cuba. This April, New York governor Andrew Cuomo and a team of business professionals went on a whirwind tour of Cuba in the name of advancing trade relations. In addition, Cuban artists and Cuban culture have been at the center of many discussions concerning the music, fashion, and pop-culture worlds. I cannot wait to see what is next.
Here is an article on the meeting of the two presidents at the Summit of the Americas: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/12/world/americas/obama-cuba-summit-of-the-americas.html?referrer&_r=1
Also here is an article on the influence of Cuban culture within the fashion world: As Cuba Opens Up, Fashion Reacts
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/fashion/as-cuba-opens-up-fashion-reacts.html
Speaking of Cuban artists being at the center of discussions on music and fashion, I previously told you guys in my post a few weeks ago that we had the honor of actually meeting a few Cuban artists in the home studio of Rafael Villares. (<– Visit the link I included, here) It was a once in a life time experience! I have met very few people as creative and interesting as the artists we met that day.
Rafael described his art as being conceptual. His intent is to create ‘space’ and a place for thought and interpretation through his works. I remember him explaining that he did not want to make any strong political statements in his art. The revolution in Cuba affects him differently than it did a generation ago. He also explained how he observes the social reactions his art creates among the people who view and interact with it. He talked for an hour more and then two other fabulous artists presented their works and told their stories.
Rafael’s project Finisterre was my favorite of his works. It shows scenes of the Malecón with Rafael “painting” images or doorways as if the air provided a canvas for the imagination to express itself. The pictures are real, however the ‘graffiti aspects’ were digitally added to the images later. This project shows the merging of imagination with the physical world. In my opinion, it really does create space for Cubans (and everyone else) to think and interpret privately in their minds what the scene might represent. I feel as if the work is subtly political for the reason that it creates questions about the world beyond the Island. Many feel as if the Malecón draws an end line/ boundry between the outside and inside. Here is Rafael’s explanation.
That day we also had a lecture on Cuban contemporary cinema and film with renowned Profesor Gustavo Arcos. I made it a point to take a picture with every guest lecturer at Casa de las Américas.
My next post will be on out experience at CENESEX. The center for sexual education and counseling and support for gays, lesbians and trans peoples. I also want to create a post of the most interesting pictures I captured throughout our experience.
I cannot wait to post more and I pray that the relations between Cuba and the rest of the world continue to improve and progress.
As always thanks for the love and support.
Besos,
Kate
Nos vamos a la Habana 