Coco Fusco walks fast and she talks fast. But maybe that’s because she has a lot to do and a lot to say. There’s a “showdown” coming, she says, between the Cuban government and the independent artist communities of the island nation, with a new decree set to become law in December. “It basically criminalizes independent art activity,” Fusco says. And as a Cuban-American artist who has spent more than 30 years putting Cuba’s politics and the Castro regime under the microscope with critical writings and subversive performance, she’ll have something to say about that. But first, she visits Sarasota and the Ringling Museum for Coco Fusco: Twilight, a new video exhibition in the Monda Gallery opening this Sunday (including a world premiere), and the unveiling of a new sculpture on the museum grounds.

With Ezra Masch’s Volumes vacating the Monda, the black paint job remains, the light columns replaced by a sparse selection of black-cushioned benches. On the far wall, a great projector screen loops four of Fusco’s video projects. One is a 2011 collaboration with Cuban writer Yoani Sanchez, reflecting on the lack of Cuban activity in a time of protest that became known as the Arab Spring. Another explores the Cuban poet Herberto Padilla, imprisoned for criticizing the Castro regime, and yet another takes a closer look at a poet from the 1980s who dared question the Cuban constitution. These have all been seen before. The fourth, however, funded by the 2016 Hermitage Artist Retreat’s Greenfield Prize, makes its world premiere in the Ringling Museum.

A but of guerrilla filmmaking, Fusco herself was actually denied entry to Cuba in order to make Vivir en junio con la lengua afuera ("To Live in June with Your Tongue Hanging Out"), instead relying on her “gringos”—two blue-eyed norteamericanos—to execute her vision in her absence. Armed with video cameras and pairing up with a trio of local independent poets and actors, the filmmakers head to Cuba’s Lenin Park with an illegal poem from Reinaldo Arenas, celebrated everywhere but his home country, where his homosexuality made him an enemy of the state and his work remains forbidden. What follows is a restrained but surprisingly emotional journey, as the participants come to terms with the words for the first time on camera.

Stepping out of the darkness of the Monda Mini-Cinema, Fusco has one more piece to show Sarasota—one that speaks for itself. Entitled Tin Man of the Twenty-First Century, and made in collaboration with Chico MacMurtrie, the towering statue sees the artist placing President Donald Trump’s visage atop those metal shoulders, his hand in the signature ‘OK’ pointer and thumb pose. And though it may speak for itself, Fusco doesn’t mind putting a point on it. “The problem with the tin man is that he had no heart and needed oil,” she says.

Museum guests are encouraged to take pictures of and with the sculpture, and share their thoughts with the #TinManatTheRingling hashtag. For a special memory, inquire with museum staff about opportunities to pose with a special Russian oil can as well.

Coco Fusco: Twilight opens this Sunday and runs through February 17. 

Pictured: "Tin Man of the Twenty-First Century" by Coco Fusco. Photo by Phil Lederer.

Food for thought—take a break from searching Pinterest recipes online and feast your eyes on the glossy publication full of key ingredients to a wholesome, sustainable SRQ lifestyle. Deserving of a home on your kitchen counter or coffee table, this newly published foodie manual by the Junior League of Sarasota is the epitome of locals doing local right. Inside its pages, you’ll find more than 200 tasty recipes inspired by Sarasota and our surrounding islands. Simply Sarasota: From Fresh to Fabulous heats up with a celebration of content, transforming fresh ingredients into fabulous dishes. Releasing its fourth cookbook in its collection, the organization this year emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, features many of our area’s killer farms and focuses on lighter fare with nutritional information included with each recipe. The coveted manifesto packs a punch with artful appetizers, soulful soups, savory seafood and delectable desserts—all whilst incorporating the best of the community’s crops and creativity—specially sourced and contributed by members, residents and award winning local chefs from faved Sarasota restaurants.  

The flavorful hardbound also highlights images of local destinations and recommendations on healthy activities to do in the area, which are the perfect complements to clean eating. Beyond that, are insights into how the Junior League of Sarasota has impacted the community since 1957—from building wheelchair-accessible parks to teaching families how to make easy, affordable, nutritious meals. “The Junior League of Sarasota is ecstatic to announce the launch of its new and improved cookbook that includes helpful serving tips and features spreads of Sarasota destinations and beautiful photography,” says President Amy Sankes.

Simply Sarasota: From Fresh to Fabulous can be pre-ordered now online for a discounted price before it switches over to regular order sales on October 25, when you’ll also be able to purchase the book at a name-drop-worthy list of local establishments: Blase Cafe, Bookstore 1 Sarasota, Clever Cup Coffee Shop, Doctor's Hospital Gift Shop, Garden Argosy, Hana Sushi Lounge, Marie Selby Garden Shop, Morton's Gourmet Market, The Reserve, The Sarasota Collection Home Store, Molly's! A Chic & Unique Boutique.

And in true Sarasota spirit, a launch party will take place to kick off the release of the 2018 cookbook—held at Michael’s on East Ballroom on Thursday, October 25, from 6pm to 9pm. The $50 ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, music and chance raffle. Proceeds will ultimately allow the Junior League of Sarasota to support community efforts throughout the rest of the year. Purchase your Launch Party tickets here. 

Junior League of Sarasota estore

Competing against 219 teams from 49 schools (that's 1095 students) representing nine countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, USA, Thailand, Czech Republic, Germany and the UK), Ringling College of Art and Design students took the top three places in the 24 Hours International Animation Challenge. Now in its 16th year, the contest for students challenges its participants to create a 30-second film based on a given theme in a designated 24-hour period. This year, the films had to depict a strong point of view educating an audience about the need to have empathy and to animate an experience that will help convey to the audience what it is really like to speak their truth. Teams work from their home school and submit a YouTube link of their films before the deadline. They are then are judged by industry artists. First place went to Haeri Cho, Jerry Jaimes, Beatriz Correia Lima, Ioana Oprescu and Jingyun Zhou for their film, Hibaji, second place went to Zac Miller, Doug Alberts, Noah Selbitschka, Lauren Cash and Zach Hartman for their film, Bring the Glue, and third place went to Livia Lenhoff, Zoë Miolla, Paul Detling, Andrés Guerrero (CA) and Mitchell Blass for The Ani-Mates. 

See the winning films.

The Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) and Ringling College of Art and Design are partnering up this weekend for the first annual World Lemur Festival, a collaboration to raise awareness of the worsening plight of lemurs in Madagascar. Held from 11am to 3pm this Saturday in the Arthur R. Goldstein Library, there will be fun and educational games for families, a costume contest, a juried exhibition of lemur-inspired art from students at Ringling College, New College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota and more, a film screening of the documentary Madagascar: The Land Where Evolution Ran Wild. Dr. Alison Grand, executive director of the Lemur Conservation Foundation, and Dr. Erik Patel, LCF conservation and research director, will deliver a talk called “The Art and Science of Saving Lemurs.” This event is free and open to the public. 

Lemur Conservation Foundation

Tatum Ridge Elementary School has announced that Rachel Chappell has received a Teacher Leader Training Scholarship from the Reading Recovery Council of North America (RRCNA). Chappell will be attending National Louis University for a year of full-time studies focusing on how best to help first graders who are struggling with beginning reading and writing. The studies are part of a training program that will qualify Chappell to be a Reading Recovery teacher leader. Teacher Leader Training Scholarships are awarded to school districts that have demonstrated a commitment to Reading Recovery and have selected a suitable teacher leader candidate for the program. The scholarships provide support for the initial training of teacher leaders, which consists of full-time study at Reading Recovery training centers in the United States and Canada. Six $15,000 scholarships were awarded to train teacher leaders during the 2018-19 training year. Sarasota County Schools has been a Reading Recovery site for four years and has 34 Reading Recovery teachers in 23 elementary schools. 

Reading Recovery Council of North America

Sarasota law firm Fergeson Skipper has announced Declan P. Mahoney as its newest litigation associate attorney. Mahoney comes to Fergeson Skipper from a South Florida law firm where he served as an associate specializing in commercial litigation, real estate disputes and commercial transactions. He graduated magna cum laude from University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL. Mahoney is an active member of The Florida Bar and the Sarasota County Bar Association. In addition to being a seasoned litigator who has represented businesses, banks and individuals, he brings extensive experience in real estate law including mortgages, construction agreements, leases and closing arrangements. 

Fergeson Skipper

All Faiths Food Bank’s Chief of Operations, John Livingston was recently selected to participate in Feeding America’s Disaster Task Force, a new initiative involving food bank experts, FEMA, USDA and other federal partners. The task force will serve to recommend consistent expectations and improve disaster efforts and support for the 200 food banks that are part of Feeding America’s network. All Faiths Food Bank is one of the lead emergency response organizations in Sarasota and the State of Florida and supports disaster relief efforts through membership in Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Sarasota County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center and Feeding Florida Disaster Strike Team. Last year, Livingston played a key role in local and state relief efforts for Hurricane Irma. Last month, he was deployed to North Carolina for two weeks to lead operations following Hurricane Florence. Currently, he is supporting response activities following Hurricane Michael. 

All Faiths Food Bank

SRQ Magazine is proud to present the 2018-19 Season Culture Primer, the premier index of community arts and culture for the coming year! Culture Primer is tucked into your October 2018 edition and designed as a gorgeous removable guide to the cultural must-do’s in the area. 

Full edition online here!

Participate in this year’s 25 Days of Christmas digital holiday shopping program featuring 25 featured gifts this holiday season through SRQ’s digital and SRQ DAILY platforms. Contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or growmybusiness@srqme.com to secure your spot today. 

Click for more info!