{"id":8331,"date":"2024-01-02T20:52:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T20:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=8331"},"modified":"2024-01-02T20:52:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T20:52:23","slug":"from-la-prensa-archiveswhere-are-they-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/02\/from-la-prensa-archiveswhere-are-they-now\/","title":{"rendered":"FROM LA PRENSA ARCHIVES\u2026WHERE ARE THEY NOW?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"CIA brings 5 Cuban artists to Cleveland,
\noriginally published October 21, 2011; page 8 Cleveland Edition <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By Arooj Ashraf<\/em><\/p>\n

Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA)<\/em> is shifting perceptions of Cuban art and culture by hosting five distinguished contemporary Cuban artists for 8-week teaching residencies. \u00a0Artists will teach classes and create work in Cleveland, and exhibit their work at Museum of Contemporary Art.<\/p>\n

The Cuban Project launched for the Fall 2011 session on Oct. 13, 2011a reception and lecture meet and greet with artists Alejandro Aguilera<\/em> and Osmeivy Ortega<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur hope at Cleveland Institute of Art<\/em> is the Cuba project will enlighten our students on a cross cultural experience of not just Cuba but the world,\u201d said Saul Ostrow<\/em>, Chair of Visual Arts and Technologies Environment.<\/p>\n

He said the Cuban Project evolved from its original goal to find a single artist who will provide CIA students an inside perspective on the influence of culture and politics on Cuban art. Forty-four artists were interviewed and the selection committee realized the divergence of approach between artists from different generations shaped art in Cuba. The project shifted its focus to inviting more artists for shorter residencies throughout the year.<\/p>\n

Ostrow said funding and support from Cleveland Foundation\u2019s Creative Fusion Initiative<\/em> made the project possible.<\/p>\n

David C. Hart,<\/em> Associate Professor of Art History at CIA said the artists will help shape understanding and dispel common myth about the island and broaden the view most American\u2019s hold. He encourages students and audience to engage in critical discourse and challenge all notions. Hart said the international appreciation of Cuban artists is unique to the island, \u201cNot many artists have a bus load of tourists coming in to view their art.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five artists participating in the exchange program present contemporary critique of Cuban society. Ortega, a printmaker uses common materials to express message of his prints.\u00a0 He is excited to explore what Cleveland has to offer. He spent time in Sweden as an exchange artist and said culture reflected in his art through the expensive materials he used in his prints. \u201cNo one would make eye contact with me,\u201d he explained his desire was to engage the Swedes, who preferred to isolate themselves with cell phones and other technology.<\/p>\n

Aguilera represents a different generation of Cuban artists. He left Cuba in 1989 to escape political pressure and lives in Altanta, Ga. His work carries the essence of African religions and the undertone of racial tensions in Cuba. His father, a self-taught artist was well respected for his work, but prevented from receiving an award because he was black.<\/p>\n

Aguilera said growing up with that discrimination propelled him to be more expressive in his sculptures. Though living in the U. S. has also opened possibility of unique collaborations.\u00a0 Crediting his wife\u2019s love of shopping T.J. Maxx, he discovered the cultural collections artifacts imported from worldwide.\u00a0 He uses the pieces as his base and adds his creative touches; \u201cIt\u2019s collaboration with unknown artists,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Keynote speaker Alejandro de la Fuente<\/em>, professor of History and Latin American studies at Pittsburgh said racial discrimination and tensions in Cuba are not acknowledged publically. \u201cCubans do not talk about race and discrimination,\u201d he said, instead it is considered a part of the distant past no longer relevant in contemporary society.<\/p>\n

The country made a conscious effort eliminate discrimination by focusing on education and not discussing race. De la Fuente said nationalism took priority in the official identity of Cubans, but a consorted effort tried to eliminate the African cultures and religions. He said artists continued to keep the culture and traditions alive through their work but were largely ignored and depreciated.<\/p>\n

Racial tensions surfaced as the country\u2019s economy shifted to a tourist industry and lucrative jobs were awarded to light-skin Cubans who were the darker skinned; applicants were told, \u201cThey don\u2019t have an appealing appearance,\u201d said de la Fuente.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dream of a raceless, integrated Cuba remains a dream,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Cuba Project: Cleveland Institute of Art will remain on display at MOCA till Dec. 31, 2011. In the Arooj Ashraf photo are: Alejandro de la Fuente, Alejandro Aguilera, Dr. Mar\u00eda Pujana of Cleveland, Osmeiva Ortega, and David Hart. <\/em><\/p>\n

ON THE INTERNET: https:\/\/www.cia.edu\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/saltfineart.com\/osmeivy-ortega\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.cubanartresources.org\/alejandroaguilera<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/aaas.fas.harvard.edu\/people\/alejandro-de-la-fuente<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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