“Wet Dreams” by Nadia Porras

Del Caimán “Backstories” delve into the experiences that inspire the artworks of Del Caimán

Inspired by a public bath in Cuba

It was my first time at the Cine Pobre Film Festival in Gibara [in 2007] and I decided to go with a group of artist friends. When we walked through the doors of the bathhouse, we were met by a pop-up amusement park assembled in a tightly packed courtyard. I felt I had been transported into a Gabriel García Márquez' book and was at a party in Macondo. But more interesting than that, was the surrounding space, the public bath: that was the inspiration that birthed Sueños Húmedos (“Wet Dreams”).

Public baths in Cuba were once considered a meeting place for certain members of society, similar to the Roman bath houses. In them, people would romance each other and even make love, surrounded by color. They were the meeting place for many socially marginalized people, particularly the LGBTQ community, who did not have many real spaces to express their love.

In the work, the metamorphosis of the character is the focus — she unfolds, becoming a mermaid, a mythological being.

I use the color blue on the figure, an element that highlights the godly character in many cultures (such as God Shiva in India and Pharaohs in Egypt), to represent their divinity. The elements and symbols, the adornments and embroideries, are details that uphold femininity. The beauty and strength of women is implicit in most of my works — but, be careful, within this world of colors and adornments that dazzle, strong messages are contained that criticize many aspects of our society. Just like the sirens, whose beautiful songs hypnotize sailors, beauty can drag one into the depths.