As apart of an artist exchange program, Rafael Gonzalez aka
Tufawon flew to Cuba with Mariesa Ryan(founder of US Cuba Artist Exchange), community organizer and emcee Chaka Mkali aka
I Self Devine, and two videographers Paul Irmater and Dane Whitehead. The purpose of this trip wasn't to vacate. In fact, American tourism is restricted in Cuba. The true purpose was to work on collaborative and artistic projects with five Cuban artists through the
US Cuba Artist Exchange, and to film half of the documentary
"Closer Than You Think | The Cuban Artist Project" directed by Paul Irmater. Throughout their trip, the crew filmed interviews with all of the artists, recorded music, filmed a music video, played gigs, and painted a mural in Cienfuegos Cuba. The project made it into publications and even the national Cuban morning news. Although they were presented with challenges, the crew overcame them through strategy and a passion for artistic expression. The crew built long lasting relationships with their new Cuban friends who will be flying to Minnesota in June to work on more collaborative art projects, and to finish shooting the second half of the documentary. In the meantime, they are promoting their Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the documentary. Please visit the page, and become a contributor!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mariesaryan/closer-than-you-think-the-cuban-artist-project
Check out the music video Tufawon is featured in
"Quiero Volar". It was shot in Havana Cuba and it also features Yrak Saenz(Cuba), I Self Devine
, and Mo aka the Magician(Cuba)
.
Yrak Saenz(Havana Cuba), Tufawon, I Self Devine at Jose Fuster's house in
Fusterlandia hanging out.
In the hood after a successful day of studio recording and shooting the music video.
Working on a mural in Cienfuegos Cuba
The Minnesota/Cuba crew putting finishing touches on the Cienfuegos Mural.
Strategic planning with the Minnesota/Cuba crew.
I Self Devine and Tufawon in Cuba
