Don’t forget to remember me: Little Havana (2010 - 2018)
I vividly recall my arrival in Miami in 1995. Driving along Calle Ocho, the bustling heart of Little Havana, I was struck by a moment of what felt like magical realism: street life so vibrant and familiar that it evoked scenes from Cuba, yet distinctly shaped by its new context in the United States. That experience left an indelible mark, shaping my ongoing engagement with the city’s urban and cultural fabric.
Don’t Forget to Remember Me! was produced over eight years, from 2010 to 2018, as an exploration of Little Havana’s evolving Latinx identity. The series engages the neighborhood’s streets, public spaces, and cultural markers, revealing how community, memory, and cultural presence negotiate visibility within a city undergoing rapid gentrification and urban transformation. Iconic small businesses, historic buildings, and longtime residents confront the pressures of tourism and development, yet their stories, gestures, and rituals persist as markers of resilience.
Through portraits, street scenes, and architectural fragments, the work emphasizes the enduring spirit of the neighborhood’s inhabitants—the everyday heroes whose presence sustains cultural memory. By attending to composition, light, and spatial context, the images create a dialogue about urban change, identity, and the Latinx experience in Miami.
This series invites viewers to reflect on the layered histories and lived experiences of Little Havana, honoring the lives and legacies that continue to shape the city’s cultural landscape.
