THE CUBAN ART SPACE INTERVIEW SERIES (WILLIAM PÉREZ)

What is this made from? Cuban ingenuity.

Did you figure out what this bracelet is made from?

Maybe now it is evident?

Remember how I described Cubans as innovative? Well, here is a perfect example. When you do not have art supplies, you look around for items capable of appropriation. This particular artist created jewelry from forks. Yes, that beautiful bracelet was once a fork. What can I learn from a Cuban artists?

This past week, I went to a thrift store and bought spoons. (They were sold out of forks) I showed my student's at Arthaus (arthaus.org) my fork bracelet. I then gave them a spoon, hammer, pliers and access to gems and adhesive. I told them that they could make whatever they wanted as long at it could no longer be identified as a spoon.  Some ideas included: jewelry, ornaments and a mini sculptures. It was a noisy project but once again my students amazed me with their problem solving skills and ingenuity.

Back in Cuba

What are these woven from?

Made by special needs students. 

Did you figure it out yet?

These innovative crafts were made from the plastic tape found in VHS tapes. Very clever, I must say.

After throwing away countless strands of broken Christmas lights, I am tempted to send them to Cuba. Without a doubt, the Cubans would would find an innovative use for our discarded lights. I am still trying to come up with an art project or another lofty use for broken Christmas lights. No luck yet. Let me know if you think of any. - Beth

Blending Colors in the National Art Education Association Publication

When I first joined the National Art Education Association, it was in attempt to obtain current information in the art education field. The magazine, as well as the national publication: Advancing Art Education,  have proven to fulfill these goals. Imagine my surprise this month when I noticed not only an article by NAEA President Bob Sabol describing our trip to Cuba along with photos, but also there was an invitation to learn more about our trip via the use of this blog.


If you are interested in the NAEA in the article, it can be retrieved from: Advancing Art Education, (vol. 53, No. 5 December 2011)  Thank you NAEA for enabling me to share this wonderful experience with art teachers around the nation.

There be will additional opportunities to share information in New York at the 2012 NAEA National Convention. There will be a booth featuring the delegates, who will be available for Q&A.  I am still working on the feasibility of attending. I would love to see the other delegates and disseminate information, however extenuating circumstance may prevent the trip.

January will allow for me to locally share my experiences as I continue to set up programs and visits to local schools and community organizations. There are a number of you who locally (Fl) follow this blog via Facebook.  Let me know if you are interested in a lesson on culture along with a Cuban inspired art project for your classroom or if your Spanish clubs would like a guest speaker. The purpose of my trip to Cuba was to bring back enlightening information to share. Beth
www.arteducators.org  - NAEA Website

Cuba, Art and Thankfulness

Only select individuals receive permits to USE a boat.

 Left over turkey, a pantry that needs to be organize, an oven that needs cleaning, a mortgage and car insurance to be paid. Am I to be thankful for all of this? At times, I find myself complaining. My trip to Cuba shed new light on my annoying job list. The average Cuban would give thanks for an overstocked pantry, or an overworked oven encrusted with burnt delicacies. The average Cuban would love to own their own car or home. I look at the gluttony permeating the United States and cannot help but see a nation who fails to see the bounty right before their eyes. Yes, times are tough for many of us, however, I am not sure the average Cuban would agree.

Ration Book. Each family receives food rations based on the amount of people in their family. The average family makes 20 pesos a month to use for over and above expenses.

Each person is allowed 11/2 lbs of rice per week. Each family receives 1 chicken per month.

Cubans very rarely get to own their own business. Thankfully this is starting to change.

Until recently, Cubans were not allowed to import cars and only a select few can own one.

Few Cubans are allowed to own their own home. Most live in apartments. This is also beginning to change.

Religious freedom? This church was built in 1665,  now a concert hall.

 

One of the few religious pieces of artwork seen on trip.

A combination of Christianity and Mythical legends.

Possibly Christian?

Less obscure?

Myth or saint?

Tryptic 

Amazing vaulted ceiling created without today's industrial equipment.

 

    

During a brief side trip, with two other delegates we explored this old church. On numerous occasions, our bus had passed by a very old churches. It was difficult to figure out if the churches were active or not. We saw activity around the churches, however, we were unsure whether it was worshiping or not. Another delegate ventured off to visit a synagogue. Interestingly, he can back with a haircut that he received there. 

Technology and consumerism is also different in Cuba. No Black Friday, waiting in line for a cell phone or tablet capable of WiFi. No need since internet and cell phone use is restricted to select Cubans and tourists. No need to get the flat screen TV. Only a few government owned stations are available. 

Cuba in all its beauty was ironically a blatant reminder for me to be thankful for all I have. 

Can art reflect and create thankfulness? The subject matter in many of the Cuban paintings reflected what they were thankful for, such as tropical fruits (food) and family. The political art painted in Cuban reminded me to be thankful for the privilege to vote. Art supplies are not a luxury item in the US. (some art teachers may disagree. :))  In Cuba, there is not a Michaels or  a NASCO.  Art supplies are limited and most often, provided by the government in exchange for a high tax on the artwork created. Something as simple as pencil and paper is cherished. So we can be thankful for art supplies. The lack of art supplies forces the Cuban artists to be innovative. When Cubans lack canvas, they paint murals on buildings, use recycled materials or broken pieces of tile to create beautiful mosaics. 

This artist's art supplies was a beautiful as her artwork. Supplies, most likely provided by government.

When you do not have art supplies, you use recycled material. Can you figure out what this artist used?

Can you figure out what these students used to create this purse?

 Art from Cuba makes me thankful!

Who can create art? Students with special needs.

Classroom in a special needs school. Notice the high ratio of teach to student.

Who can create art? As I have mentioned in previous post, Cuba supports and promotes the arts at the elementary level, the high school level and the college level. It is not surprising that students  with special needs would also have the opportunity to create art. We had the privilege to visit a  number of special needs schools. 

PE class

Men in front of school cutting grass with machetes. In Florida this would result in a "lockdown." 

The teachers showed a genuine love for their students.

This was a room set up like a kitchen in order to teach the students life skills.

Art (craft) created by students.

A visiting artist came in and taught the students for this particular project.

A student working hard. They know what to do even if their teacher is absent.

Painting plates. These are mass produced, however we could not buy any because of some sort of Government red tape.

Weaving hats.

I actually was allowed to keep this hat after winning it on the last day of our trip. Thanks Bob!

Not only do the student create art they also participate in drama. However the genre was rather surprising. The dance reflected "The fervor that a man feels for a woman when she tempts him." 

The girl on the left won a medal in the Special Olympics held in the US.

Next stop, we met with University professors in to discuss art education in Cuba and US. Interesting that they also have studied the writings of John Dewy and Victor Lowenfield among other influential scholars. They have a strong art educational program for the training of their art teachers.

Some of the faculty, in a on campus gallery, for the hearing impaired.  This special needs program takes place at the University.

Students and faculty. Notice the baby in the arms of one of the students. It could not have been more than a few days old.

Student work -Remind anyone of Duchamp?

All of this work has been created with a ball point pen. 

Creativity or Self Expression

Ballpoint pen 

Amazing! All created by special needs students!

As with most of the buildings in Cuba, many are in need of repair. This is the outside of the University. If you look closely, many of the windows are broken out as well chipped plaster. This building at one time, was headquarters during the Batista years.

I found it interesting how once again, when it came to providing art for students with special needs, Cuba seems to win.


On a side note the meeting with the Art Professors was unique. I felt a quiet bond to these individuals whose goals in life were comparable to my own. My goal to make art assessable to all, sometimes feels monumental in light of art education budget cuts here in the states. The Cuban people have financial burdens equivalent to what we faced during the great depression, yet art continues to be a valuable core subject in the Cuban curriculum. 


I cannot help but be reminded that there was a  time when the US did the same. Part of Roosevelt's Depression era New Deal - Federal Art Programs  resulted in 3,500 murals, 18,000 sculptures, 108,000 paintings, 250,000 prints and 500,000 photographs. Even with fiscal hardships, 12,000 artists were employed over a 10 year period. This monumental attention given to the arts would be unheard of today. 


Who can create art? If it were up to me, I think you already know the answer.