Work created for MICA’s Mulit Media Event 2019, You Are Here and for my senior thesis
Photographs in Collaboration with MICA’s photography department: Taken by Mac Kauffman and Rhegan King
Statement: Since my mother immigrated to northern New Jersey from Havana when she was very young, my understanding of her time in Cuba is fragmented, fraught with inaccessibility and lack of understanding of my family history. Similarities between suburban Montclair, New Jersey and metropolitan Havana, Cuba may appear limited, however, since the 1950s, both of these places have drawn vacationers in search of a very specific brand of beach getaway. Both local cultures are defined by ad hoc creations made in response to the tourist market. In Cuba, United States embargo necessitates inventive solutions to immediate, everyday problems. Repurposed motors from washing machines are used to shred coconut for street desserts. Northern New Jersey’s immigrant population also strives to improve their quality of life with limited means. In Montclair, the Watchung Deli’s simple, tin foil-wrapped subs are the only sandwiches that retain just enough warmth during the drive to Ocean Grove Beach.
Manipulating digitally printed and silk-screened fabric to construct beachwear-influenced garments has served as means for me to construct a reality that I only half know. My line Familia del Patio embodies the ad hoc philosophy, collaging photographs and silhouettes from both my past and my mother’s, to redefine my place within both narratives.
Agua Blouse, Digitally Printed Silk Organza, Shrirred with Elastic Thread, 2019
Vinyl and Small Weavings made from Cotton Yarn, 2019
Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra, 2019
Leno Weaving Sandals, Urethane foam, Digitally prined Nylon Lyrca backed with Neoprene
Shirt: Silkscreened China Silk using MX Dye Paste, 2019
Pants: Silkscreened Ripstop Nylon using Acid Dye Paste, 2019
Sun Hat, Dyed Vinyl and Mesh, 2019
Dyed Cotton Yarn using MX Dyes, Woven on an Eight Harness Floor loom, 2019
Dyed Vinyl, Digitally printed Silk Organza, Urethane foam
Digitally Printed and Silkscreened Nylon Lycra backed with Neoprene, 2019
Bag: Leno Woven with dyed Cotton yarn with MX Dyes, incased in Disperse dyed Vinyl, 2019
Shoes: Urethane Foam, Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra backed with Neoprene
Top: Digitally printed Nylon Lycra
Pants: Netting made from cotton yarn incased in Vinyl
Belt: Disperse dyed Vinyl
2019
Net made from Cotton Yarn dyed with MX dyes incased in Disperse dyed Vinyl, 2019
Digtially Printed Nylon Lycra backed with Neoprene, Disperse dyed Vinyl, 2019
Que? Hat, Digitally printed Nylon Lycra backed with Neoprene
Top: Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra
Bottoms: Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra
2019
Vinyl, Mesh, Jacquaed Weaving, Terrycloth
2019
Dress: Digitally Printed Silk Organza Shirred with Elastic Thread
Braided Sandals: Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra, Urethane Foam
Silkscreened Spandex using Acid dye paste and Contact paper as a Resist
2019
Chair: Dyed Cotton Yarn, Dyed Canvas, Vinyl, Frommets, Metal Chair Structure
Open Weave Guayabera and Swim Trunks, Digitally Printed Linen and Digitally Printed Nylon Lycra
2019
