A Woman's Body is Her Nation (Feminist Hero) 2021—multidisciplinary performance, 45 min
Video Performance documentation
HD, 16:9, MP4, Color, Stereo, 30:32 min
Edition of 3/ 1AP
This multidisciplinary performance project delves deeply into themes of isolation and the mechanisms for survival, merging conceptual costumes, video, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and choreography. At the heart of the work is Romagoza's alter ego, Cuquita, The Cuban Doll, who embodies the notion that the body is a nation. Inspired by Romagoza's experiences growing up in Cuba and her journey as an immigrant to the U.S., “A Woman’s Body is Her Nation (Feminist Hero)” unfolds over three acts, blending live performances with a performance/documentary film and featuring multiple costume changes. The first act honors those who have lost their lives crossing the sea from Cuba to the United States, highlighting the collective path toward healing from trauma. The second act centers on the Latin diaspora's experience in New York, especially in Queens, where Romagoza has lived since emigrating from Cuba in 2011. The third act contemplates the complexities of existing between cultures and explores the meaning of being Latinx through the artist's lens. The performance’s garments are dynamic and behavioral, offering various options for the wearer. They include pockets that hold intimate objects—memories Cuquita The Cuban Doll carries everywhere. The costumes transform throughout the piece, symbolizing the body as a space of refuge, survival, resistance, and feminine power.
Produced by the Franklin Furnace Fund, Jerome Foundation, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Grace Exhibition Space, NY, 09.03.2021