Legacy in Stone
Project Statement
"Apostle of the independence of Cuba, guide of the American peoples and champion of human dignity, he was born in Havana on January 28, 1853." This is how the text in homage to José Martí is inscribed on the New York marble, on top of the pedestal, his equestrian sculpture, his figure in an eternal fall, reminds all Cubans of his sacrifice and our sins. A Cuban, like those who in the New York of 1964 plunged into exile demanded the local government to deposit on its pedestal the sculpture sculpted by Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington, which was finally placed in 1965, turning this site south of Central Park, place of worship and pilgrimage of the Cuban community in the country, this being one of the main ones along with other monuments in memory of Martí in the United States.
Monuments have always been conceived to represent utopian ideals, a dominant ideology, or to legitimize power. This is one of the reasons why many monuments are outraged, due to ideological discrepancies and their changing contexts. In the case of Martí, it has been different within the Cuban community, despite having huge discrepancies between both sides of the political spectrum: José Martí, his thoughts and his legacy have never been in question. After his death, his figure and thought were cemented within the spiritual and cultural memory of our roots, Martí is Cuba itself.
Legacy in Stone is a personal depiction of the Cuban exiles through the monuments of José Martí captures the enduring spirit of a community displaced yet steadfast in upholding its cultural heritage and revolutionary ideals. These monuments stand not just as tributes to a revered figure but as symbols of resilience, unity, and unwavering commitment to the pursuit of freedom and justice. Each statue, each plaza tells a story of sacrifice, of longing, of the relentless pursuit of a homeland that exists both in memory and aspiration. Through these monuments, the Cuban exile experience is etched in stone, a timeless reminder of a people's unwavering determination amidst adversity and displacement.
