The Cuban Heritage Collection will be featuring highlights from Goizueta Fellows’ research investigations conducted during their fellowships. Maria de Lourdes Mariño Fernández shares the following about her research on Cuban-Cuban American-Latinx artistic connections and exchanges:
“The CHC is a wonderful resource for scholars interested in the multilayered histories of the Cuban, Cuban American, and Latinx experience in the U.S. During my fellowship at CHC, I accessed numerous collections that address this particular issue, or what I call “the knot”. The political nuance of art exhibitions and exchange programs after the 1980s between Cuba and the U.S. was of special attention to me. The Leandro Soto Papers, and Luis Camnitzer and Rachel Weiss Papers were crucial on this topic.
On the other hand, my research needs to clarify how Cuban migration has impacted the Latinx experience in places like New Jersey and New York. In this regard, The INTAR Theatre records, Pedro Monge Rafuls papers, and Juan Boza papers helped me to get a better understanding of the vibrant artistic dynamic that involved many recent Cuban migrants in this area.
Political activism and awareness about the violations of human rights in Cuba have been a long and outspoken concern of many waves of artistic migration. Access to Roberto Estopiñán drawings and sculptures was a definite find on this issue.
Lastly, being in Miami, Florida was a huge opportunity to visit artists’ studios and private collections. I’m thankful to Hortensia Soriano at the Rafael Soriano Foundation, Jose Bedia, and Glexis Novoa for allowing me to enter their private spaces and ask many questions.”
Cuban Heritage Collection Blog 