Context:
November 27, 2021 marks a turning point in over six decades of political oppression in Cuba. 300+ intellectuals, artists and journalists convened that day at the Ministry of Culture in Havana to demand the recognition of their rights and freedoms as citizens'; and to reject State violence, which has been carried out for years and has increased in recent months. 27N arose out of the need to advocate for demands that were expressed that day, and their desire to participate in the present and future of Cuba. The Cuban government institutions promised a dialogue that never happened but instead resulted in more retaliation towards the opposition. Cuba’s much needed change depends on a more participatory citizenry with greater degree of awareness that the political and economic future of this country depends on everyone.
Cuba is avid for visual stimuli that contribute to the awakening of consciousness and critical thinking at a social level, in a forced coma for decades. Unfortunately, producing a graphic work focused on communicating alternative ways of understanding, assuming, and rebuilding the country in the midst of the current system of government is an almost utopian task, especially from within the island. However, the growing openness to the virtual universe and specifically the impact of social networks on a growing number of Cubans on the Island opens the door to an alternative way for that civic awareness to germinate without which no political change is possible.
Goal:
Inspired by my home-country situation, I decided to create a series of posters with the theme of "freedom" that could initially be socialized digitally on social media, and at some point printed out and posted on the walls of all major cities in Cuba, as a fair counterpoint to more than six decades of political propaganda and demagogy to provide a visual "voice" to the frustration of the Cuban people.
