DISCUSSIONS-A
casey7677
Discussion2_reply.docxYesterdayAug 19 at 2:47pm
During the 1990s, Cubans began using art as a way to make a profit. Los Carpinteros took advantage of this and created pieces that criticized the Cuban socialist revolution. They began by going into abandoned homes and salvaging materials for their first art pieces. As they grew more successful, their work improved at revealing their disapproval of the Cuban revolution. In their piece The Fallen Lighthouse, they use a lighthouse lying on its side to argue that a leftist nation will never be successful. Their work became so appreciated that people will willing to buy it in auctions.
Nancy Morejon was a Cuban poet who found her voice in this time period. She grew up in a poor family in the town of Havana, ad she incorporated her life into her poems. In her poem "Mother," she discusses her mother who had "rocky islands" instead of "patio gardens." Readers can get a sense of the hardship Morejon's mother had to face as a subject of Spanish colonization. Although her family was not wealthy, her mother gave everything she had to ensure Nancy was happy and healthy. Ultimately, the fact that Morejon was one of Cuba's "foremost poets" suggests that women could share their work with others and be heard.
TuesdayAug 18 at 11:12pm
Similar to the muralist movement in Mexico that was meant to help establish a National Identity, the Cuban art movement that ensued during the Cuban Revolution was meant to “create a national Patrimony.” This was meant to make the people of Cuba proud and celebratory of their unique culture and history. Following Che Guevara's ideology of contributing for the sake of developing the people’s culture rather than for material gain, art arose in a manner that was conducive to this stance. This happened through “the Revolution’s commitment to socialize artistic practices through what the Cubans call ‘cultural democracy.’” This meant that the people of Cuba became more actively involved in the production of art and the building of culture. With more active artists, there also came a larger audience. Throughout its history, Cuban art was influenced from all directions.
During the revolution, women expressed their support for the revolution in many ways. One group of women, the Marianas, was a small women-only platoon who fought in the Revolution battles, showing their support and dedication to the cause. More women also became open about feminism and education. Vilma Espin was a chemical engineer and one of the first Cuban women to obtain a degree. She also happened to fight in the revolution alongside Castro and became an influential leader in the Commmunist Party of Cuba. Of course, this list of revolutionary women would not be complete without Celia Cruz. Following her passion of singing, Celia chose to sign contracts and tour several countries, including the US, which caused the Cuban government to banning her from returning.
