Design of the Latin-Caribbean Islands
It is more often than not that we as a society are exposed to Eurocentric design styles, European figures in art and design, and study European art history from its beginnings to present. There is nothing wrong with learning about the vital importance of European design, as it truly has influenced the world, but what lies beyond? Across the Atlantic ocean, where the Spanish colonized, how did these design styles influence the islands of the Caribbean?
What posters would they design? Why would they make them? Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico are Latin-Caribbean islands with their own design tastes, highly influenced by Spanish design, but have their voices that are often quiet underneath the voice of European design. There are very few designs archived from these countries, adding to their mystique and hushed nature.
With what was uncovered from these archives, this exhibition will allow a peek into the most common poster designs of the Latin-Caribbean during the 1900s.
It would go without saying that the Latin-Caribbean isles faced much turmoil in the twentieth century, largely due to rampant dictatorships, US intervention, and corruption within the governments. Notably, beginning in 1930, Rafael Trujillo had near absolute control over the Dominican Republic, using his “secret police” to slaughter Haitians and overpower civilians. This caused massive distress and retaliation, leading to the many posters created by revolutionaries. “Las Mariposas”, also known as the Mirabal sisters, were the main credit of the beginning of the overthrowing of Trujillo. They were a trio of sisters that began the resistance through pamphlets and leaflets organizing meetings and inciting passion in the citizens of the country. The sisters were assassinated by secret police, which was the last straw for the Dominican people, leading to the assassination of Rafael Trujillo shortly after.
“Dominican Activists Challenge Rafael Trujillo’s Dictatorship (Fourteenth of June Movement), 1959–1960.” Dominican Activists Challenge Rafael Trujillo’s Dictatorship (Fourteenth of June Movement), 1959–1960 | Global Nonviolent Action Database, nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/dominican-activists-challenge-rafael-trujillo-s-dictatorship-fourteenth-june-movement-1959-1. Accessed 3 May 2024.
