Exploring Cuba in New Jersey and in New York

Newark, NJ.- The Newark Museum is proud to present "Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul", survey of modern and contemporary Cuban artists that explores the rich cultural roots of Cuban art. This exhibition consists of more than fifty objects, including paintings, works on paper, photographs, sculpture, installations, and audio works by 22 artists. "Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul" features such major figures in Cuban art as Wifredo Lam, Manuel Mendive, Jose Bedia and Sandra Ramos -I believe we were in this artist's home. "Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul" is on view at the museum until August 14th. After Newark, the exhibition is tentatively scheduled to travel to two additional venues: the Chelsea Art Museum in New York City and the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Ajiaco seeks to interpret the diverse social dimensions of Cuban art in a global context through the exploration of its relationship with African, Asian, European, and Indigenous influences and belief systems. The art incorporates the tales of the Orisha of Africa, the calligraphy of Chinese Tao Te Ching, and the rituals of indigenous peoples. The formats change, the materials vary, but the mix remains constant in both Cuban and Cuban American art. Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul is not necessarily about one group however; it explores diaspora, embracing those aspects of Latin American culture that are sympathetic to all. In broader terms, this project addresses both the immigrant experience and the expression of cultural identity in a new place. The curator, Dr. Gail Gelburd, writes, “Isolated and yet educated, restricted and yet heralded, the Cuban artist embodies the angst of their situation and yet embraces the loftiest of goals. Their syncretist tradition and heritage allows them to go beyond the monotheistic traditions in order to find the origins of their soul, the geist or inner spirit of their art.”In 1939, anthropologist Fernando Ortiz characterized Cuban culture as ajiaco, a rich stew consisting of a large variety of ingredients. The ingredients of the “stew” include Catholicism brought in by the Spaniards; the spirituality of the Yoruba slaves and their cultural traditions from Africa; and the Chinese indentured servants who brought Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The base of the stew is the indigenous people, such as Tainos, who were almost wiped out by the Spaniards. This exhibition is a survey of modern and contemporary Cuban artists that explores these rich cultural roots of Cuban art. In contemporary society, the “stew” has become thicker and richer as the influences become more complex and intermixed: the artist now borrows not only from the traditional cultures that populated the island, but also appropriates from contemporary everyday life. The exhibition includes works by leading artists in a variety of media, from paintings, works on paper and photography to mixed-media sculpture and installations. 

Retrived on 2/13/12 Art News Knowledge News -Keeping you in touch with the World of art. (I posted link to this Yahoo group in an earlier post.)

Not only will Cuba be depicted in an art museum, Cuba will also be revisited through the stories told during the National Art Education Association (NAEA) convention in New York on  March 2, 2012. Some of 25 US delegates will have the opportunity to share their experiences with other art teachers/professors. They will also share the unique ways each has utilized their findings in the classroom, local communities and publishings throughout the US. By the way, New York has the second largest concentration of Cuban - Americans. (Miami is first of course.) 

As I am sharing with you various artwork created by Cuban artists, I am diligently constructing my own work of art representing my translation of the Cuba experience. I look forward to sharing this with you in the future. 

Tomorrow, I will be visiting a high school art room, sharing with them images of art work created by teens very much like themselves. My objective is to bridge the ocean between Florida and Cuba using supplies found in knowledge and commonalities.