PowerPoint Presentation

FeFaMaria Magdalena Campos-PonsProfessor,School of the Museum of Fine Arts

Neil LeonardArtistic Director, Interdisciplinary Arts InstituteBerklee College of MusicFeFa is an alterego constructed as a hybrid reminiscent of Cuban cultural complexities and Campos-Pons personal history. FeFa take on the figure of the pregonero as street crier voicing not products but the philosophical political and daily laments of the 54 years of entrapment of the Cuban families in and out of the Island Familia/ Exterior-Familia Afuera. Family Abroad-Family Extarnjero

FeFaInstallation at Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center (WLC)Performance at WLC and Projecto Detras Del Muro (Behind the Wall Project). The performance at WLC included for first time in Cuba an open competition of the street criers (pregoneros), giving this vernacular art a location within Cuban culture. A month later National Television broadcast for first time ever a pregoneros competition.Production: Collection and distribution of goods to the poorest Cubans. This was a direct response to an artist survey.

"Llego FeFa" is a collaboration of MMCP and NL premiered at the11th Havana Biennial structured in 3 parts:Street Criers / PregonerosIncreased liberalization of small businesses caused street criers to re-emerge for the first time in decades. These 'pregoneros' transformed the soundscape of Cuba, creating an ongoing musical theater in the street, using idiosyncratic ancient vocal marketing strategies that highlight a void of big-business control.Pregonero Research, Matanzas

February, 2012 Matanzas, Cuba: Pregonero collaborationCampos-Pons collaborated with local Pregoneros as part of MMCP Performance "Llego FeFa" at the homecoming exhibition "1478 MB" at Casa Las Americas. The criers are confused with delinquents and accosted by authorities. Pregoneros are not typically found in this neighborhood.

February, 2012 Casa Las Americas: Pregonero collaboration

February, 2012 Casa Las Americas: Pregonero collaboration

February, 2012 Casa Las Americas: Pregonero collaboration

February, 2012 Casa Las Americas: Pregonero collaboration

May, 2012 Havana, Cuba: FeFa at Biennial de HabanaPregoneros are hired as collaborators for the performance of FeFa at the 11 Havana Biennial. In response to Casa exhibit, a national pregonero competition is organized at the opening at the Wilfredo Lam Center. A jury of distinguished musicians and producers select winners in three categories: use of poetryuse of music, promotion of FeFa.

Jurors are Los Hermanos Arangos (leading folklore/jazz group), Enmanuel Blanco (Director, Laboratorio Nacional de Musica Electroacustica).

Havana Biennial: Pregonero competitionPHOTO: MCCP organizing competition with pregoneros before competition at WLC

PHOTO: Organizing competition with pregoneros before competition at WLC

Pregonero AudioExcerpt of onion/garlic vendors voiceExcerpt of honey sellers voice

PHOTO: NL introducing pregoneros and FeFa to public/press at WLC

PHOTO: NL introducing pregoneros and FeFa to public/press at WLC

PHOTO: NL introducing pregoneros and FeFa to public/press at WLC

PHOTO: NL introducing pregoneros and FeFa to public/press at WLC

May, 2012 Havana, Cuba: Pregoneros participating FeFa performance, "Projecto Detras del Muro" Malecon Cuba

Pregonero AudioFrom FeFaInstallationExcerpt with onion/garlic vendors voiceExcerpt with gold buyers voiceNational News, Cuba