May 2005
Maria Lau
INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LEKAY
John LeKay: Please tell me about the superimposed multidimensional imagery of the blurred figures, as if levitating or floating across the street in this picture.
Maria Lau: The image Capitolio is a black and white, in- camera double exposure. Its part of a series I started when I was experimenting and exploring self-identity and the multi-layers of my heritage. Cuba’s Capitolio is architecturally similar to our White House and I find that interesting and ironic.
The movement and shadowy people in the image is an example of how I integrate within the crowds to truly experience Cuba. And in most of my documentary work on Cuba I like to illustrate both a historical and visual narrative.
JL: What do the Yin and Yang and dragon symbols, superimposed on the Chinese car photograph represent and what were you thinking about at the time ?
ML: This series of photos was inspired by walking around Havana’s Chinatown and seeing the Cuban and Chinese culture intermix. From the vintage cars parked on the street, to Chinese plaques and signs, everything has been layered as I saw it on the streets of Havana. This yin/yang symbol is part of a sign for the Wushu Association in Havana that teaches martial arts and helps keep that Chinese tradition flourishing.
JL: Can you translate Say Jo and tell me more about this photograph.
ML: I believe this sign translates as a memorial hall in honor of someone named Lam Say Jo. There were many Chinese societies at one time in Cuba and various structures and plaques still remain.
This photo is of a Cuban man walking through Chinatown and passing by this memorial hall. I like the way the layers worked out in this photo because he is unaware of the memorial hall, yet it’s a part of the history of the streets he walks through daily.
JL: What about the superimposed strips of wood with red paint or bloodied tips across this mans face.
ML: This photo is specifically what started the “71” series. While at the Lung Kong (the designated home of the Lau’s in Havana’s Chinatown) I was directed to the prayer room and asked to pull a divination stick. When I asked for a sign that I was on the right path, I pulled out the stick marked 71. It’s a very significant number for me, so I named the series “71.” I made this photo using an image of my dad as a younger man with the divination sticks superimposed on his face. He is the direct link to my Chinese ancestry and to the number 71. (The sticks themselves are made of bamboo and are commonly sold as oracle sticks or fortune sticks)
To read the full interview go to: http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.1-FOTOS-MARIA%20LAU.htm
May 2005
Maria Lau
INTERVIEW WITH JOHN LEKAY
John LeKay: Please tell me about the superimposed multidimensional imagery of the blurred figures, as if levitating or floating across the street in this picture.
Maria Lau: The image Capitolio is a black and white, in- camera double exposure. Its part of a series I started when I was experimenting and exploring self-identity and the multi-layers of my heritage. Cuba’s Capitolio is architecturally similar to our White House and I find that interesting and ironic.
The movement and shadowy people in the image is an example of how I integrate within the crowds to truly experience Cuba. And in most of my documentary work on Cuba I like to illustrate both a historical and visual narrative.
JL: What do the Yin and Yang and dragon symbols, superimposed on the Chinese car photograph represent and what were you thinking about at the time ?
ML: This series of photos was inspired by walking around Havana’s Chinatown and seeing the Cuban and Chinese culture intermix. From the vintage cars parked on the street, to Chinese plaques and signs, everything has been layered as I saw it on the streets of Havana. This yin/yang symbol is part of a sign for the Wushu Association in Havana that teaches martial arts and helps keep that Chinese tradition flourishing.
JL: Can you translate Say Jo and tell me more about this photograph.
ML: I believe this sign translates as a memorial hall in honor of someone named Lam Say Jo. There were many Chinese societies at one time in Cuba and various structures and plaques still remain.
This photo is of a Cuban man walking through Chinatown and passing by this memorial hall. I like the way the layers worked out in this photo because he is unaware of the memorial hall, yet it’s a part of the history of the streets he walks through daily.
JL: What about the superimposed strips of wood with red paint or bloodied tips across this mans face.
ML: This photo is specifically what started the “71” series. While at the Lung Kong (the designated home of the Lau’s in Havana’s Chinatown) I was directed to the prayer room and asked to pull a divination stick. When I asked for a sign that I was on the right path, I pulled out the stick marked 71. It’s a very significant number for me, so I named the series “71.” I made this photo using an image of my dad as a younger man with the divination sticks superimposed on his face. He is the direct link to my Chinese ancestry and to the number 71. (The sticks themselves are made of bamboo and are commonly sold as oracle sticks or fortune sticks)
To read the full interview go to: http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.1-FOTOS-MARIA%20LAU.htm