Photo by Stacey Edwards
What do Cuban cigars have to do with art? Interestingly, a lot. The cigar is to Cuba as the iconic alligator or palm tree is to Florida. In other words, when I say Cuba, many of you would respond cigars. In fact, one of the first questions asked to me was, "Did you bring back any cigars?" The answer is no. We are not allowed to bring Cuban cigars into the US. It has to do with the embargo -but that is a topic for another day.
The following web site has information on the process of cigar making, for those of you interested in learning what makes thee Cuban cigar legendary.
"Cuba is well-known as the land of the best tobacco all over the world. Historians affirm that the first plantations arose in the 18th century, by the East of the Island, and progressively extended to the West. For many years, tobacco was the second exportable production of the nation, after sugar."
The Cuban cigar plays many roles.
Economics
Although, the US is not allowed to import cigars however, Cuba does manage to export a large percentage to other countries, resulting in financial gain.
Job Security
Working in the cigar factory provides jobs, even if the wages are low. There is an interesting article in, Cigar Aficionado www.cigarafictionado.com
(The entire Dec. issue is dedicated to Havana) about a grandfather passing down the family cigar business to his grandson. This is common practice in Cuba, along with the passing down of their homes. The grandfather encouraged his grandson to work in the cigar factory even though it was less pay, so that the grandson would appreciate the time and effort that it took to create the perfect cigar.
If you are interested in how cigars are made you may want to stop at the Museum of Arts and Science Daytona Beach - moas.org They have an authentic Cuban cigar rolling table on display in the Cuba Gallery.
Art?
There is an art to making cigars but is a cigar a work of art? Most likely not. I think what I appreciate is the care that goes into the creation. The proper technique, the heritage, the quality even the sensory experience are all enticing and embody similar characteristics of art, yet what links these richly contrived assemblages to the art world, is the label on the cigar. merit and craftsmanship enters the picture not only in the making of the cigar itself but in the unique labels found carefully wrapped around each cigar. The process is quite elaborate. I have included a descriptive link below for you.
"The exquisite lithography, which during many years has accompanied the Cuban Cigar, is, undoubtedly, along with the quality and excellence of it, one of its identity hallmarks.
Opening a Habanos cigar pouch is a party in all senses, where the sight is the first to be delighted before the beauty of the drawing covering the lid in which the brand of the product is advertised. When taking the lid off, we see in the other side what is known as the vista, a multicolored lithography, sometimes embossed and with golden glitters, undoubtedly the most beautiful artistic message of the pouch.
Opposite to the vista, in one of the side of a sheet of paper that is stuck on the pouch and the other free for the smoker to lift up, the bofetón appears.
The Bofetón is an attractive and suggestive drawing, generally of an oval shape that directly covers the first layer of Habanos. The box or pouch is lined in its four sides with the papeleta, a paper ribbon that covers the smelling of the cedar.
To get an idea of the richness of the lithographic art in Cuba, it is enough to say that this has been developed since the first half of the 19 Century when the Island General of the Army, before the wide variety of manufacturers and their respective brands ordered that those were officially registered.
In this way, the numerous collections of lithographies were originated and nowadays, they are a treasure of the Cuban plastic arts where many events of the Cuban society have been represented. By 1829, the Second Lithographic Printer's was inaugurated and since 1839, two lithographies were established in the capital for making the labels of the export cigars. The golden polychromy adorning the boxes were started to be made in 1880.
These collections of marquillas cigarreras, bofetones and anillas can be seen in the Museum of the City, in the Habano Museum and in many private collections. The art of collecting such lithographic samples is known as Vitofilia"
Retrieved from: www.cubancigarhistory.com on2/2/2012.
Just as early Floridian artists included palm trees and the alligator in their artwork to symbolize the exotic and Romantic genre of Florida. The Cuban cigar with its beautiful labels, symbolizes social and economic struggles in Cuba as well as the Romanticism many associate with this exotic land.
For a glimpse of the iconic alligator in FL art visit: Museum of Arts and Science - Daytona beach moas.org currently is exhibit Reflections II, "Watercolors of Florida 1835 -2000."
I just want to mention that the very first photo of the man with the very large cigar was posing in old Havana for the price of 5 CUC. The Cuban government must give permission for him to do this as well as takes a portion (in the form of a high tax) of his profits.
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