Miami Living Magazine features the best Miami has to offer. Click on any magazine below and enjoy. You can download our free app on iTunes. Ideal for iPad and iPhone users.
Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/1436805
Vanishing Cuba is a curated visual storytelling book by American documentary travel photographer, designer, and author, Michael Chinnici. The collection depicts the changes Cuba faces as it emerges from more than 60 years of isolation and decay. Michael’s 24 trips to Cuba have yielded tens of thousands of photographs, thought-provoking and emotional stories, and created lifelong friendships. Vanishing Cuba is about capturing the past, present, and future of Cuba, and even more so, about capturing the “Soul of Cuba.” Michael’s love affair with Cuba and the Cuban people comes through in this compelling and beautifully produced book. “Cuba as we know it will vanish. It’s not a matter of whether or not it will change; it’s more a question of when it will change. And trying to imagine what a new Cuba will look like is anyone’s guess,” says Chinnici. “It was my goal to capture the magic of Cuba before it changes.” For the Cuban people, change has become one of the most important goals for the success and survival of this island nation of 11 million people. “Cuba can no longer exist on ration cards and subsidized government salaries. The people know it, and the government knows it.” Chinnici goes on to say, “As Cuba emerges from 60 years of repression and decay, it will undoubtedly feel its growing pains. But like all cultures that go through transition, a part of their soul goes with it. This unique experiment of isolation called “Cuba” has captured the minds and souls of everyone around the world. And as appealing as that may be to tourists and photographers like myself, Cuba must find a way to evolve, grow, and escape its misery without giving up the very soul that makes it such a special place.” The book itself is a work of art—produced to the highest standards. Chinnici is known for his vibrant color photography as well as his emotional black and white renditions. For this reason, he chose to print the book using the Spectra7 and Triton printing techniques offered by Longo AG in Bolzano, Italy. “We printed in 10 colors, including a 7-color process, plus 2-blacks and a PMS grey for the B&W. It’s truly revolutionary what we did—especially using stochastic printing across 10 colors. It’s available in three editions, including a Silver Edition, Deluxe Edition and Reserve edition, and each is printed in both English and Spanish.” says Chinnici.