Final Project

Suania Duenas

Final Project

            For the Grand Finale of this artistic course, I wanted to capture my cubanismo and my Cuban roots.  It was important to create something that symbolizes who I am but at the same time I wanted to do something different, something that I have never done before.

           

            I wanted to represent Cuba, and I thought that the best way to do so in this project was by actually creating a silhouette. I used candles and still life objects such as plants. I also used a few plants inside the silhouette to add more elements. Finally, I added flowers and leaves, which are just taken from the garden. I did this in order to enrich the project a little more.

            The decision to wear white was because I wanted to use other colors for the background. it is very common to wear white in the Yoruba religion. Also, white represents peace, purity, safety and that is something I wish Cuba and my people finally get.

            I also wanted to add a Cuban cigar since it is something very common for the cuban culture and also because of what it means to me. My maternal grandparents played an important role in my life. My grandfather smoked cuban cigars so I wanted to dedicate this part of the project to him. Every time I smoke a cuban cigar I think of him and how he contributed to shape me into the person I am today.

            I was inspired by Ana Mendieta to create this piece, we both come from the same background and the love for our island. Frida Kahlo also contributed to my inspiration, you can observe how I have added a lot of flowers and nature. Both artist Mendieta and Kahlo shared that passion for nature but from my perspective Kahlo added more.

            When you see my self-portrait, I hope that you receive and perceive my love for Cuba and nature. This project is very different from the midterm because I am adding more to this one in a more realistic and less abstract way. The artists that we have studied in class influenced the changes I have made from the midterm to the final.

           

            The media impacts identity and self-presentation in many ways.  Many times, people feel forced to imitate others in order to fit in with the society or what is popular at the moment. That was something that I wanted to avoid in this image. I tried to be as creative as possible. I didn't imitate images taken by other Cubans who are currently famous. I wanted to create something of my own, and present myself in my own way without thinking/worrying  about the spectacle. Although, those of us who have emigrated can relate to the feeling of missing our homeland.