Press release

Photo Zine on Cuba by U.S. and Cuban Photographers Premieres. Opens Visual Dialogue Between Cultures, Is Sent to U.S. Congress and Biden Administration

For Immediate Release

Acton, MA and Santa Fe, NM (CubaSeen.com) – A quarterly, bilingual photo zine on Cuba featuring photography by U.S. and Cuban photographers is now out. CubaSeen gives voice to the truths which emerge when visual artists from different cultures interact in meaningful ways. The zine showcases stunning photography and short-form written essays in response to a theme that changes with each issue.

CubaSeen Cover, Print Edition

The theme for CubaSeen’s premiere issue is LAYERS. The theme acknowledges the long history of street photography and conceptually layered work that is so important to the photographic traditions of the island. The issue features in-depth photo essays by Cubans Nelson Ramirez De Arellano and Arien Chang Castán paired with U.S. photographers Susan S. Bank and Pulitzer Prize recipient Deanne Fitzmaurice.

Arien Chang Castán Photo Essay Spread, Print Edition

Close to a hundred photographers submitted images responding to an open call-for-art on the theme of LAYERS. Several dozen of these images have been curated into a visual dialogue which is interspersed between photo essays. The zine also includes original written-word essays by Yani Monzón and Kate Oberdorfer.

“There are countless photos of Cuba sitting idle on the hard drives of talented photographers who have visited the country through people-to-people and support of the Cuban people programs,” says co-publisher Jennifer Spelman. “We provide a unique platform to share those photos and pair them with the work of Cuban photographers in a way that is thoughtful, creative, and exposes truths about both our cultures.”

Showcased Photography Spread, Print Edition

CubaSeen exists at the intersection of both U.S. and Cuban governments recognizing the value of artists connecting across national boundaries. Distribution includes key members of the U.S. Congress and Biden Administration foreign policy officials. As co-publisher Andrew Child notes, “We’re not political but we do want decision makers in Washington to understand the value of people-to-people interactions between artists during this time of strained relations between the U.S. and Cuba. CubaSeen is not just about beautiful photography, it’s about people forming friendships, the cross pollination of creative ideas, and debunking the myths we hold about each other in both countries.”

Those interested in CubaSeen are encouraged to visit the zine’s website, CubaSeen.com, where they can subscribe to print and digital editions, submit photography to open calls-for-entry, and purchase merchandise.

CubaSeen is co-published by Jennifer Spelman and Andrew Child with translation and copy editing by Erin Goodman. It is designed by Jorge Gustavo Gavilondo and Jorge Ferret Vincench.

Contacts:

Andrew Child
achild@cubaseen.com
978-621-1857 (cell)

Jennifer Spelman
jennifer@jenniferspelman.com
303-587-7253 (cell)

Media Assets:

For images, right-click and save images from the print and digital galleries below. High resolution files available upon request.

Text-only version of this press release is available online.

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