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| Cuban Artist Contributes to Jazz Legacy On Monday, May 5, Cuban artist Uldis Lopez Paredes will unveil his most ambitious piece of work since being granted asylum in the U.S. last year. He created the sculpture in celebration of jazz and the freedom of expression it represents. The unveiling will take place at Nature Scapes Garden Center, Landscaping, Florist and Gift Shoppe in Bunnell, FL and will kick off a week of jazz and art related activities associated with the 3rd annual Legacy Jazz Festival presented by the North East Florida Jazz Association (NEFJA), a volunteer non-profit organization that, for more than two decades, has been dedicated to preserving, promoting and perpetuating Jazz, by making live jazz performances available to the residents of northeast Florida and by providing scholarships to talented music students enrolled in jazz studies programs at Florida colleges and universities. "It's how I can give back to my new community," Lopez Paredes said via Terri Juchs, a volunteer interpreter since he doesn't speak English yet. The artist fled Cuba last year to be reunited with his daughter Sheyla, who lives in Palm Coast, FL with other members of his family. In his native Pinar del Rio Lopez Paredes was an important figure in the Cuban art world and a prominent artist in his own right. As President of the Consejo Provincial de las Artes Plastics (Fine Arts Council) and the Association of Cuban Artists and Artisans, he directed the work of hundreds of artists. His own art is displayed in museums, public spaces and private collections throughout the world. Since arriving in Palm Coast, Lopez Paredes works as a dishwasher and has little time to create his art. He has no regrets, however, and is happy to be a part of the community. So far, it's been a mutual love affair. Lopez Paredes arrived in June of 2007 and has already conducted free workshops, made presentations to local artists, and participated in the Flagler County Art League's recent Art in the Park exhibition. Members of the community, in return, have donated temporary studio space and given him equipment, supplies, and other services. “Now I have all the basics that I need to create my art, the only thing I need is the time," Lopez Paredes explained. Working a full time job with irregular hours makes it difficult. "It's frustrating," he agrees, “but it's the beginning of the process of rebuilding my life in this country. It's necessary." In Cuba, artists are held in high regard by the government. Because of his talent and position within the government-run arts programs, Lopez Paredes was able to enjoy luxuries like owning his own home and earning a comparatively high salary. But, there are clear limits to the messages that he and other Cuban artists can communicate through their work; artists are not allowed to criticize the government or make overtly negative statements about the social conditions in that country. Additionally, there is a tremendous scarcity of raw materials forcing artists to make the paints and other materials they use. Lopez Paredes is thrilled with the huge supply of materials that are available here and highly appreciative of the freedom to create without governmental constraints. “The only limits an artist in the U.S. faces are within himself," he commented. His latest contribution, the Legacy Jazz Festival commemorative sculpture is one more way Lopez Paredes is giving back to his new community. He agreed to create the commemorative sculpture to help NEFJA raise money and awareness of their 3rd annual jazz festival. “The music of jazz is the music of freedom," Lopez Paredes explained. His grandfather, uncle and cousin are musicians and he was introduced to jazz early in his life. His piece reflects that freedom and he compares it with his own life since coming to Palm Coast. “Life is a process," he said. “Even when obstacles are encountered, it continues. You have to improvise and jazz is about improvisation. Jazz musicians are artists who go where the music takes them--working together to create a singular work of art." Lopez Paredes' immediate goals are to learn English and then find a way to focus on his art. He also has a long-term vision for the community based on his history of working with other artists to create art in public spaces. Having participated in joint projects to create enormous sculptures and murals in parks and government buildings, he sees tremendous potential here. “It's virgin territory," he explained. “There are so many pretty (retention) ponds and new modern public buildings that are begging for art. There are plenty of talented artists who live here that there's no reason that we can't have the same caliber of public art that you can find in New York or other cities that value art. Artists working together make a community come alive." The public is invited to attend the Legacy Jazz Festival '08 kick off reception, which begins at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 5 and is free. There will be music, refreshments, an exhibition of the work of other local artists, and a silent auction. At 5:30 p.m. Lopez Paredes will formerly introduce the piece and will unveil the commemorative sculpture. Following the unveiling, the piece will remain on display at Nature Scapes until Saturday May 10 where it will be displayed prominently at Pirates Auditorium at Mantanzas High School, the site of the Legacy Jazz Festival's headlined events. After that, Lopez Parades and NEFJA would like to see it purchased locally and placed where the public can enjoy it. The sculpture, which Lopez Paredes calls “Legacy," will not be sold until after the jazz festival. Visit website write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |