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The work of Cuban visual artist and photographer Laura Capote Mercadal travels for the first time beyond the borders of the Caribbean island to form the exhibition Tramas, on display at the Salón Gallos in Mérida until December 31.
In a series of ten snapshots, Capote Mercadal (Havana 1991) revisits the image of braided hair as a distinctive element of his artistic vision and a symbol to recreate a narrative surrounding the female body.
In statements to CiberCuba, she shared that she used the first braid she cut since moving to Mexico and photographed it on various parts of her own body to "create fragmented narratives with the female body and the braid as central elements."
"I have kept the braids that I have cut throughout my life. I have two braids saved at my home in Cuba, including my first childhood braid; another one I sold. This is the first braid I have cut here in Mexico after almost ten years," Capote Mercadal explained in statements to the magazine El Estornudo.
During the opening of the exhibit on December 6, curator Michel Mendoza emphasized that in the artist's works, "what matters more are the stitches, the punctum, the tear, the details, rather than the morals or conclusions."
The braids in her photographs go beyond a symbol of oppression or erotism, transforming into enigmatic elements that, according to Mendoza, can appear "like a mask, the symbol of a monstrous becoming, or, at times, as a piece of flesh or a strange, unknown animal."
The Gallos Hall of Mérida, an important exhibition space that has an invitation-only program for artists, curators, galleries, and institutions, will host Tramas – the photographer's first solo exhibition outside of Cuba – from December 7 to 31.
Capote Mercadal, who holds master's degrees in Management and Preservation of Cultural Heritage from the Colegio de San Gerónimo in Havana (2019) and in History from El Colegio de San Luis, Mexico (2022), has lived in Mexico for 10 years.
The young artist has participated in several group exhibitions and has presented personal projects in Cuba, such as Infrastructure (2012; Provincial Center of Plastic Arts and Design, Havana); Fever of You (2012; “Concha Ferrant” Gallery, Havana); Proposal (2013; Open Doors Gallery, Belén Community Cultural Center, Havana); Dual (2015; “Servando Cabrera Moreno” Gallery, Havana; Monte Salon, Ambos Mundos Hotel, Havana); Retrospective (2015; Historical Phototheque of the OHC); Inside (2016; Cuban Art Factory, Havana); and Between Struggle and Lima (2019; duo exhibition with Enzzo Hernández, at the Villalobos Studio-Workshop, Havana).
Frequently Asked Questions about Laura Capote's Exhibition in Mexico
Who is Laura Capote and what is the theme of her exhibition in Mexico?
Laura Capote is a Cuban photographer and visual artist who has opened her first exhibition outside of Cuba at the Salón Gallos in Mérida, Mexico. The exhibition, titled "Tramas," features a series of ten photographs focused on the image of braided hair, a recurring element in her visual narrative.
What significance do braids have in Laura Capote's work?
In Laura Capote's work, braids go beyond being just a simple aesthetic object. According to curator Michel Mendoza, the braids in her photographs are enigmatic elements that can appear as a mask, a symbol of a monstrous transformation, or even as a piece of flesh or a strange animal. They become a symbol of the fragmented narrative of the female body and its personal evolution.
Where and until when can you visit the "Tramas" exhibition by Laura Capote in Mexico?
The exhibition "Tramas" can be visited at the Salón Gallos, located in the Parque de la Mejorada in Mérida, Mexico, until December 31, 2024. This venue is known for its exhibition program, which invites artists and curators to showcase their projects.
How has Laura Capote's experience in Mexico influenced her artistic work?
Laura Capote has explained that her experience living in Mexico has been significant for her work, as the first braid she cut in this country after nearly ten years became a central element of her exhibition. This personal experience has allowed the artist to create fragmented narratives that explore the relationship between her body and the braids, symbolizing her evolution and change outside of Cuba.
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