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Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul

September 12, 2009 through February 21, 2010
This exhibition is sponsored by the Hispanic Alliance.
Guest Curator Gail Gelburd, Ph.D., Professor of Art History at Eastern Connecticut State University

In 1939, the anthropologist Fernando Ortiz characterized Cuban culture as an ajiaco: a rich stew consisting of an array of ingredients cooked until a thick broth is formed. It is this synthesis that is the essence of Cuban art and the subject of the exhibition Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul.

Ajiaco seeks to interpret the diverse social dimensions of Cuban art in a global context through the exploration of its relationship with African, Asian, European, and Indigenous influences and belief systems. The art incorporates the tales of the Orisha of Africa, the calligraphy of Chinese Tao Te Ching, and the rituals of indigenous peoples. The formats change, the materials vary, but the mix remains constant in both Cuban and Cuban American art. Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul is not necessarily about one group however; it explores diaspora, embracing those aspects of Latin American culture that are sympathetic to all. In broader terms, this project addresses both the immigrant experience and the expression of cultural identity in a new place.

The curator, Dr. Gail Gelburd, writes, “Isolated and yet educated, restricted and yet heralded, the Cuban artist embodies the angst of their situation and yet embraces the loftiest of goals. Their syncretist tradition and heritage allows them to go beyond the monotheistic traditions in order to find the origins of their soul, the geist or inner spirit of their art.” Gelburd has been conducting research on Cuban art and artists for over fifteen years. She has regularly traveled to Cuba and has lectured there for the Havana Biennale, Havana University, and Casa Africa. Gelburd’s article “Cuba: The Art of Trading with the Enemy” appears in Art Journal in the Spring 2009 issue.

This exhibition consists of more than fifty objects, including paintings, works on paper, photographs, sculpture, installations, and audio works by 22 artists. Ajiaco: Stirrings of the Cuban Soul will feature such major figures in Cuban art as Wifredo Lam, Manuel Mendive, Jose Bedia and Sandra Ramos. The exhibition is tentatively scheduled to travel to two additional venues: the Chelsea Art Museum in New York City and the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Also on view, and coordinating with Ajiaco, is an exhibition of work by Imna Arroyo, titled Ancestors of the Passage, which will explore the socio-cultural beliefs of Caribbean culture. Raised in Puerto Rico but educated in the United States, Arroyo has been on a quest to visualize her heritage. Like so many other Puerto Ricans, she is of African and Taino descent. Knowing little of those cultures, she journeyed to Cuba where she found a strong acceptance and recognition of that heritage. Arroyo’s work visualizes the Diaspora, the African Orishas, and the spirits of her marginalized ancestors. Her work serves as the catalyst for others of Latin American heritage to find the connections to their heritage in Cuba, which has preserved that culture and visualizes it in Ajiaco.

Manuel Mendive Se Alimenta mi Espiritu, 2007,  Acrylic on canvas 64 ¾” x 95”
Manuel Mendive
Se Alimenta mi Espiritu, 2007,
Acrylic on canvas 64 ¾” x 95”
Tomas Sanchez (b. 1948) Paisaje con Orilla, 1986  Oil on canvas, 70 ½ x 89 1/2” Manuel Mendive Se Alimenta mi Espiritu, 2007,  Acrylic on canvas 64 ¾” x 95”
Tomas Sanchez (b. 1948)
Paisaje con Orilla, 1986
Oil on canvas, 70 ½ x 89 1/2”
Manuel Mendive
Se Alimenta mi Espiritu, 2007,
Acrylic on canvas 64 ¾” x 95”
Flora Fong (b. 1949) Syncretism Oil on canvas, 44 x 36 x 3”
Flora Fong (b. 1949)
Syncretism
Oil on canvas, 44 x 36 x 3”

Filed Under: Exhibitions, Past Exhibitions Tagged With: Ajiaco

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6:00 PM - Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Wednesday, January 4, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
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Registration after 12/29: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
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Free First Saturday
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Lyman Allyn Museum
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Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own Print of an Egyptian Symbol! While you're here, explore [...]
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Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Tuesday, January 10, 2023    
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Join the Lyman Allyn Art Museum at the Mystic Noank Library for a lecture on the new exhibition, The Circle Game, on display at the [...]
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Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Wednesday, January 18, 2023    
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
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Color is all around us, but what do we really know about it? Join Director of Exhibitions Jane LeGrow for an engaging look at how [...]
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Science Saturday
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11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lyman Allyn Museum
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This fun drop-in program, designed for children ages 7-11, encourages participants to explore the intersections between art and science. January 21: Beautiful Banjos TWANG! Learn about [...]
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Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Wednesday, January 25, 2023    
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
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Registration after 1/19: $15 Members / $20 Non-members The Lyman Allyn Art Museum will host Thames River Heritage Park’s winter lecture series, “Stories from the [...]
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Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
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Join us in celebrating the opening of Alexandra Stoddard: A Colorful Life. See this pop-up exhibition, meet Alexandra Stoddard, and enjoy coffee, tea, and light [...]
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Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
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Grab your friends and join us for drinks and art-making on the first Thursday of every month! Tickets include two drinks, light bites, and creative [...]
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Free First Saturday
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Join us in the art studio from 11 am - 1 pm and create your own portrait of our "Heroes in History"! Celebrate Black History [...]
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Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Saturday, February 4, 2023    
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Presented by Adwoa Bandele-Asante Join us for an interesting and interactive afternoon of learning with a live performance of Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad [...]
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Events on Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- The Plant Family: Gilded Age Gossip, Gifting and the (Income) Gap
4 Jan 23
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Events on Saturday, January 7, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
7 Jan 23
New London
Events on Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
Exhibition Discussion: The Circle Game at the Mystic Noank Library
10 Jan 23
Events on Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
Chromatopia Gallery Talk
18 Jan 23
New London
Events on Saturday, January 21, 2023
Science Saturday
Science Saturday
21 Jan 23
New London
Events on Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
Thames River Heritage Park Lecture- Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road
25 Jan 23
New London
Events on Friday, January 27, 2023
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
Alexandra Stoddard Exhibition Opening
27 Jan 23
Events on Thursday, February 2, 2023
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
Night at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum - February
2 Feb 23
New London
Events on Saturday, February 4, 2023
Free First Saturday
Free First Saturday
4 Feb 23
New London
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
Harriet Tubman: A Woman with a Railroad
4 Feb 23
New London

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