Castro never being shy to take a handout and always willing to put out the red carpet to show off his country ’ s talents in all forms of the arts , became a portal for a select group of US citizens to enter Cuba legally . Under the auspices of “ Bridges to Culture and Network for Humanitarian Aid ” programs , a small group of New York artists , philanthropists , and a Cuban art dealer , were invited to participate in the Bi-Annual , visit the American Intersection , no longer called an Embassy , and explore the country whose borders were closed to most American citizens .
At the time , I had no real understanding of how rare it was to travel freely in Cuba as an American . It was a time of excitement . I was excited to try and make a difference to those who had been impacted by the hurricane Wilma of 2004 while also having the opportunity to document my lifelong vision of “ Forgotten Beauty Found .”
From the moment I arrived until the final departure , I never dreamed that a whole country would become the palate for my photographic canvas . The entire nation of Cuba , spoke to my lifelong sensibilities of “ Forgotten Beauty Found .”
The colors were brighter than I ’ d ever imagined . The worn textures of the architectural surfaces more extreme than I ’ d seen before . The patinas of a country that had aged and survived both internal struggle and the sheer forces ofcenturies of natural devastation were abundant . It was as if I ’ d been transported to an entire world that was forgotten and soon to be found by my lens and heart .
There was so much to visually process . Where to begin ? I couldn ’ t wait to get started . After what was a brief check in , it didn ’ t take me long to load up my cameras with film , put on my camera bags , and venture out into the streets .
Unlike my normal adventures , when I search out abandonment , looking for the beauty in what ’ s lost and unseen in daily life , I was walking in an entire country that appeared to be abandoned by its government . I could see the history . I could touch broken and falling
walls . I didn ’ t have to walk a step before something would catch my eye .
I thought to myself , if this is Havana , the most affluent and prosperous part of Cuba , the showcase of Castro , what could be found if I wondered outside of this captive environment established for outsiders .
Fearless , with a smile on my face , always an open hand ready to say hello , and eyes wide open to possibility , I set out to discover the Forgotten Beauty of Cuba .
After my first day of exploration , tired from the long walk , yet energized by the thrill of what I ’ d uncovered , still processing each and every moment , I ventured back to the hotel . Not expecting anything other than to make my way to my room , put my camera bags down while I absorbed the day in all its magnificence , I had no idea my life was about to change forever .
As walked slowly down the promenade , hotel nearly a few steps away , a young man stood up from his chair . Working under a red and white umbrella , a comfort from the Havana heat , a young taxi stand driver , looking for customers , began his solicitation for hotel guests .
As the taxi stand driver stood up , he revealed his humble chair . In an instant , I felt a deep connection with the chair . What could possibly be described as the most worn out , tattered , unrecognizable chair , stood out to me as the most beautiful creation on earth . The chair became not only the personification of myself and anyone who works hard , never gives up and believes . CHAIR was forgotten , now soon to be found .
Looking back to my own life and travels , in every city , country and continent I visited , I ’ d been searching out the unseen or forgotten beauty . Since a boy I can remember looking at things differently . Where others saw loss . I saw hope .
Where others easily discarded materials and objects , I saw possibility . Even as a young man , when I once saw myself as an aspiring art dealer , I was in search of talent , young and old , who had yet to be given a chance .
Like objects or even countries that have been tossed aside , people , including myself , often feel overlooked or misunderstood . It is through my own exploration of “ Forgotten Beauty Found ,” I found myself . Not only was I able find the beauty with in me , but I was also able to rescue myself while the greater meaning of my purpose as an artist came forth .
All my subject matter took on a new life . Whether the discovery , rescue , and repurposing of the content of American golf art history , dumpster diving in the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn or finding treasured objects in salvage yards , each object had a common thread ; what was once useful and meaningful had lost
CHAIR seated with Winston ChurchIll ’ s Chippendale Dining Chairs
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 17