Friday, November 21, 2008

Desiree Dolron: Cuba Captured


DOLRON’S THIRD PROJECT,TE DI TODOS MIS SUENOS MEANING ‘I GAVE YOU ALL MY DREAMS’, TITLED FROM CASTRO’S LINE FROM HIS SPEECHES, WAS EXECUTED DURING TWO TRIPS TO HAVANA IN 2002-2003. ALTHOUGH GOING WITH THE INTENTION TO PHOTOGRAPH FIDEL CASTRO, ONCE THERE, DOLRON REALISED THAT, AS WELL AS THIS GREAT COMMUNIST LEADER, THE ESSENCE OF CUBA THAT WAS OF INTEREST TO HER LAY WITHIN ITS PEOPLE. WITH THIS VISION SHE CREATED A BODY OF WORK WHICH FOCUSED ON THE COMMUNITY WHERE SHE WAS LIVING. THE HOMES, KITCHENS, LOCAL SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, BEDROOMS AND STREETS; SOMETIMES INCLUDING A FIGURATIVE ELEMENT, SOMETIMES ABSENT. UNLIKE HER ACCLAIMED PROJECT, XTERRIORS (EXECUTED AFTER HER RETURN FROM CUBA) ALTHOUGH HAVING A DIALOGUE, EACH PORTRAIT OR SCENE STANDS ALONE WITHIN THIS PROJECT. SHE PRESENTS US WITH JOSE MARTI, THE FREEDOM FIGHTER AND POET, STANDING CROSS ARMED ABOVE THE LIBRARY; TALL, DEFIANT AND PROUD OF THE SHABBY, OLD, DOG EARED BOOKS WHICH LIE BENEATH HIM.

 

AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I HAD ANOTHER AUNT ARRIVE FROM CUBA JUST LAST WEEK. THE SITUATION ON THE ISLAND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND DAILY LIFE IS BECOMING MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME THE REAL VICTIMS OF THIS IDEOLOGICAL struggle. HOPEFULLY, WE CAN SOON BRING CUBA INTO THE FOLD OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY AND ENGAGE THE PEOPLE AND THEIR GOVERNMENT IS TALKS THAT WILL PRODUCE REAL CHANGES.

 

THAT BEING SAID, I THINK DOLRON REALLY CAPTURES THE SENSE OF GLOOM THAT HANGS OVER HAVANA IN THESE AMAZING PICTURES THAT WILL BE UP FOR AUCTION AT PHILIPS DE PURY IN LONDON NEXT WEEK. SADLY, THESE PICTURES ARE ESTIMATED TO GO FOR 15,000- 20,000 POUNDS EACH AND I DOUBT ANY OF THE MONEY WILL SEE ITSELF BACK TO HAVANA

P.S. SORRY FOR THE CAPS. SOMETHING IS OFF WITH THIS DAMN BLOGGER!



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