Gregors Room

 

Weekday Blues

A visual response to the short story The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Materials: White copy paper, Ink (no adhesives)

Dimensions in inches: Largest sculpture measures 6 x 6.25 x 7.5

Statement: The sculpture collection reflects my perception of the short story The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. When I was reading the story, it came across as very dull and gloomy. I saw a lot of blues and greys and a plain, boring bedroom. This is why I chose to have blues and greys in the bed, rug, and Gregor, and then a plain wood for the bed frame and nightstands. 

In-process photos: 

Figurative Bust Sculptures

 

Longing for Home

Materials: Air-dry clay, wood, ink, sharpie, and paint

Dimensions in inches: left sculpture including base: 4.75 x 8.75 x 6 

                                    right sculpture including base: 8.25 x 7 x 2.5

Statement: The sculptures go together and represent injustices occurring in Cuba due to the communist government. Last summer there were many protests in Cuba promoting freedom. The government arrested, tortured, and killed many of the protesters. The chants being shouted and the words on posters were "Patria y Vida" meaning "homeland and life". It means that Cubans want to stay in their homeland, but they also want to live. It also has a deeper meaning because when Fidel Castro took over and the communist regime started, the popular chant was "Patria o Muerte" meaning homeland or death. The sculpture on the left represents a Cuban citizen. They are wearing a Cuban flag on their back and have the words, Patria y Vida, on their chest. The base represents a wooden raft. Many Cubans fled the country on rafts and lifeboats when Castro took over. The mix of the raft base, flag, and words is representing Cubans' love and longing to be able to stay in their homeland, but knowing if they want to survive and have a better life they will have to leave. The sculpture on the right represents the Cuban government and the communist regime. I chose to have the sculpture on top of a beautiful Havana-style building. In the touristy areas of Cuba, buildings are kept to the best of their abilities and the government officials get to live lavishly. The rest of Cuba, where the citizens are, is crumbling and in horrible conditions due to decades of lack of resources. The height difference shows that the government has power over the citizens and the beautifully painted buildings represent the facade that the government shows the world. It also represents that the government keeps most of the money for themselves and tourists, while its own citizens are dying. I selected this topic and this piece is important to me because my grandfather was born in Cuba and had to flee the country when Castro took over. I have also been able to go to Cuba and witness firsthand the injustices that really happen in the country. 

Research: 

This article gives information and history about how Patria y Vida became the chant for Cuban protests. It explains how the group pictured above released a song about Patria y Vida a few months prior to the heat of the protests.  https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/patria-y-vida-cuba-protests-1196712/

This website goes into great depth about the Cubans who fled the country on rafts. http://balseros.miami.edu

This article discusses how the Cuban government fought back against its own people during the protests. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/world/americas/cuba-protests-crackdown-arrests.html

In process images: