"Repression"
The Cuban situation right now is only news for a few people. A year ago, on July 11th my people got tired of the dictatorship they were living in for 62 years now and went out to the streets to protest for their rights and overall freedom of speech. I lived that success from here but I'm extremely proud of what my island did, even though things are exactly going the same way it was before that protest. At least there's peace in my heart that Cubans are waking up and don't take any crap from the government.
I did this poster based on the current situation and my inspiration was Jaunee and Wendy Red Star. I found their artwork very historic and informative and also a source to let people know what was happening related to their backgrounds.
In this artwork, I included the Cuban map and flag to instantly take the viewer to the area I'll be working with. I added to my eyes crying to represent the pain my island has been going through till today. The flag is melted at the bottom because, behind the beauty of it, there is a country fighting and protesting for their rights. The handcuff represents repression. I included a picture of Fidel Castro, the biggest dictator Cuba had, with a look of "look at the disaster I have left". And also, the Cuban shield represents a few historical things and idealizations that have nothing to do with the sad situation Cuba is in right now.
Mirzoeff, How to See the World, Chapter 5
Quote 1:
"Nineteenth-century Paris was a city world in which the urban observer claimed a certain cultural power by seeing without being seen. There were distinct limits to this power. Not many tourists today probably realize that the broad avenues they stroll down were widened by the city prefect Baron Haussmann in the 1860s in order to provide a clear line of fire against potential revolutionaries." (page 119)
The statement reflects a complex dynamic in Nineteenth-century Paris where the act of observation carried cultural significance and power. The notion of an urban observer being able to see without being seen suggests a certain level of detachment and authority. This might imply that the observer, whether a resident or visitor, could navigate the cityscape with a sense of cultural privilege or control. And I feel related to this because when tourists go to Cuba, they think my country is only the beautiful beaches, the cigars, vintage cars, or those ladies with fruit baskets on their heads. And it's quite the opposite because there are other details really relevant that make the country the nation it is. But I also get why, what results peculiar to them hides a different reality. This duality suggests that the act of seeing and being seen in the city is not solely a cultural or aesthetic experience but is deeply intertwined with historical, political, and social factors. It provides a lens through which to understand the layered nature of urban spaces and how they can be shaped by both cultural and political considerations.
Quote 2:
"In 1963, President John F. Kennedy spoke at the wall and famously said: “Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’ . . . All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’” (I am a Berliner). His meaning was clear: that Berlin was a symbol of the freedom claimed by the United States in the Cold War, and the United States was willing to defend the city as if it were its own sovereign territory." (page 129)
In response to East Germany's physical construction of the Berlin Wall, which divided families and impeded travel between the two areas of the city, Kennedy said what he said. Kennedy's declaration, "Ich bin ein Berliner," showed his support for the West Berlin residents while also associating the US with the values of democracy and freedom. In Cold War history, Kennedy's speech was a pivotal event that demonstrated American determination to protect the liberties of those living under communist rule. Taking a stand against oppression and serving as a symbol of the ongoing fight for freedom, the phrase has since gained notoriety.
John Berger, Ch 7
Quote 1:
"Publicity is effective precisely because it feeds upon the real" (page 136)
Connecting with the target audience's real needs, feelings, and goals is what makes advertising most persuasive. Commercials with real elements are more likely to be memorable and persuasive, whether they are addressing a social issue, capturing a cultural moment, or reflecting relatable human experiences. Publicity can create an authentic atmosphere by recognizing the truth of people's lives, worries, and goals. Thus, a stronger bond between the brand or product and the customer is formed, and the message becomes more credible.
Quote 2:
"Publicity turns consumption into a substitute for democracy" reflects a perspective on the societal impact of advertising and publicity." (page 157)
People who place too much emphasis on consumer culture may become disengaged from their wider civic duties. People may get distracted by materialistic goals and stop actively engaging in the democratic process, limiting their political participation to decisions they make in the marketplace. The overemphasis on consumption as a way of achieving self-fulfillment, according to critics of consumer culture, can result in a society that is passive and individualistic and may weaken the active and collective participation necessary for a strong democracy.
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