Glories of a Forgotten Future
(2015)
Filmed in Cuba
Three channel video installation
Video HD h.264, colour stereo,
loop playback
watch video on Vimeo
‘Glories of a Forgotten Future’ is a
requiem for the futures of young women
who grew up during the affluent times of
Cuba and lived through the tumultuous
transition period in the ‘50s and eventually
the triumph of the revolution. These
women grew up in middle-class families,
often visited Havana’s ballrooms, gathered
at ‘tertulias’ - arts and literary salons, and
generally led a privileged life. Despit the risk of losing all their private wealth,
these women and their families chose to
remain in Cuba. Indeed, the Communist
government repossessed their wealth and
radically reshaped their lives.
Sixty years later, within the confines of their homes, the artist asks these women, now between the ages of 70 and 90, through song or dance to mentally place themselves back in time in a moment when they thought their future seemed bright and beautiful. Their journeys back in time are accompanied by popular boleros of the time, as they sing under their breath and sway gently to songs such as ‘Aunque me cueste la vida’ by Alberto Beltrán.
Sixty years later, within the confines of their homes, the artist asks these women, now between the ages of 70 and 90, through song or dance to mentally place themselves back in time in a moment when they thought their future seemed bright and beautiful. Their journeys back in time are accompanied by popular boleros of the time, as they sing under their breath and sway gently to songs such as ‘Aunque me cueste la vida’ by Alberto Beltrán.
