everywhere . It didn ’ t take long before a man and his CHAIR would soon become the center of attention .
Without any prompting , people started arriving at our table . Who is this chair ? Why do you have this chair with you ? Tell us about your chair . I started with how we met this morning .
Curiosity at a high . With each new person , CHAIR was making his first friends . CHAIR ’ s story began to grow . People wanted to pose with CHAIR . Next , I would be taking their portraits , documenting the beginning of what would become the adventures of CHAIR . It was a glorious first night out together . It became obvious to me , neither CHAIR nor I would alone anymore . Once , forgotten , we were found .
The following morning , unlike in days past when I would wonder the streets with only my camera bags , I decided to set out with CHAIR . It was his turn to discover his own city and country , meet its residents and guests , and begin a new life .
Like the day before , I brought the brass bellhop cart to our room . Placing CHAIR on the cart with dignity , I wheeled him to the elevator through the lobby and front desk . As we exited the hotel , the same young man , who was working at the taxi stand , now seated in his new chair , saw us . Recognizing , a customer in need of a ride , he asked if he could take us where we were going .
As I am a grass roots artist , who likes to walk , I politely declined . I explained I like to absorb the details of my surroundings and immerse myself in the new world I ’ m exploring . Yes , it would be a struggle with camera bags and a chair . Perhaps , a little unrealistic , I was determined to make it work .
Persistent , Jose , as he introduced himself , pled his case to drive me anywhere . Being bilingual would most certainly come in handy . However , I had my work boots on and felt a walk was in order . It was that moment , when Jose , decided to say something that would transform all our lives . “ May I carry your chair for you Sir ?” Who would have imagined , the man who sat on this humble chair for days if not years on end , never noticed his beauty , only his utility , would now offer to carry CHAIR on his shoulders ?
For the next week , Jose , CHAIR and I would pick a new direction each day heading out to explore the unknown . While introducing CHAIR to Havana , I would take his portrait juxtaposed against the architectural elements that make Cuba so fascinating . The bright colors and sunlight all added to the shoot . We saw public sculptures , the ruins of grandeur , public graffiti while making friends along the way . I will never forget the day we came upon the American Intersection , the former US Embassy . Surrounded in Black Cuban Flags , a clear protest freedom . To our delight , the Cuban Ballet was being photographed that same day . What ’ s a photographer and a CHAIR to do ? Of course , introduce yourselves and join in . It felt like a dream . Who would have imagined a simple unknown Cuban chair would soon become the icon for believing where endless possibilities exist .
As we walked the streets and alleys of avana , people would peer out their windows . Speaking Spanish , they would ask “ who is this chair ,” not who is this photographer .
One of the special moments came when a truck of potato farmers stopped to see what was happening . Without hesitation Jose told them , this is the famous Cuban chair being photographed by an American . In that second , they decided , they too wanted to be photographed with this famous Cuban chair . The influence of CHAIR and his message had begun to take hold .
As you could imagine , I was beginning to wonder how I was going to take CHAIR back to the United States . There was no option that he would be left behind in his country . He needed to see the world . CHAIR needed to be free .
The day arrived when it was time to depart . My nerves were at an all-time high as we approached customs . That critical moment when CHAIR would make his escape or would he be left behind . Wrapped in cardboard boxes with electrical tape , he looked like nothing anyone would ever want . CHAIR was
20 PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE