TWO CUBANS IN LOCKDOWN

lynette m.f. bosch, ph.d.

SUNY Distinguished Professor, SUNY Geneseo

In 412 B.C., Hippocrates, the founder of scientific medicine descripted a plague that afflicted the city of Perinthus … the flu-like disease was thought to have originated with ducks...

And, suddenly, there they were Geandy and Imara locked down in Buffalo, with limited forays into “normalcy” to acquire the most necessary of things only. They and the world suddenly plunged into historical events that had turned their world into a mirror-image, upside-down reality. On Day 1 (Untitled), we see Imara, with a leopard-print bathing suit, a pair of high heels and a bottle of Tequila Espolón, looking out at the viewer right-side up, while Geandy in pants, socks and shoes does a headstand, with his legs in a V. A clock marks the time … By Day 2 (Untitled), Geandy was reading about photography, while Imara retreated from view, leaving only her high heels to mark her presence – simultaneously, transgressive, feminine and provocative and satirical – traditional female icons given multiple meanings. While he planned, she rested, as much would be required of her contribution to their collaboration. For each, this pause was inspiration for humor, satire, provocation, transformation, social commentary, kitsch and a moment to gather global knowledge of art and culture, joined to the serious purpose of making the lockdown count - the determined goal of this preparative moment. 

day 1, untitled

Two very specific Cubans in lockdown, released from the island of Cuba, by exile from their place of birth. Incorporated in their DNA, Geandy and Imara brought to her apartment in Buffalo their histories of the world that was brought to and came to the Americas. Into the island of Cuba, Geandy and Imara’s ancestors carried their corresponding associations to a plurality of religious practices, European Catholicism, African Santería and Asian spirituality. His family from Spain, the Canary Islands and Italy. Together they carried their European, African and Chinese ancestors to lockdown. Hers from three worlds, linked through conquest, slavery, emigration and immigration - Europe, Africa and China. Theirs, a cultural complexity reflective of Cuba and Latin America’s mixed histories of race and ethnicity, paralleled in the United States, the country they chose, when they left Cuba. And this world of mixtures populated one apartment in Buffalo, New York, for “Quarantine: 40 Days and 40 Nights.”

Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 Days and 40 Nights. God flooded the world for 40 Days and 40 Nights before Noah could emerge from the Ark. Lent, the Season of sacrifice and anticipated mourning for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ takes 40 Days and 40 Nights before reaching Easter Sunday and the Resurrection and as preparation for his time, Jesus fasted for 40 Days and 40 Nights in the desert near Jerusalem. In Numerology, the number 40 is the number of personal destiny, destiny marked by Dignity, Focus, Pragmatism, a Sense of Inner Security in troubled times and Dedication. For Geandy and Imara in Lockdown … add Humor. 

By Day 8 (Doméstico) Imara was dancing on a tabletop with a lamp near her head, while Geandy, cut fruit sitting nearby. 

day 2 - untitled

Day 8 - Doméstico

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