Denise Zubizarreta is a neurodivergent mixed media interdisciplinary artist and Cultural Operations Specialist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, with decades of experience in various creative fields. She is currently an arts and culture writer for multiple leading publications that offer curated and critical perspectives on contemporary art, film, television, and culture.
Zubizarreta holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and is completing her Master’s in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management (M.A.L.C.M.) at Colorado State University. Her passion for arts and culture drives her to explore and challenge the intersections of post-colonial theory, identity, technology and traditions in her writing and mixed media works.
Company culture is a critical component of any organization’s success, but in arts organizations,... more Company culture is a critical component of any organization’s success, but in arts organizations, its importance becomes even more pronounced. As entities that exist at the intersection of creativity and administration, arts organizations face unique challenges in balancing artistic vision with operational needs. In recent years, a resistance to modernizing infrastructure has emerged as a critical issue in many arts organizations, leading to a concentration of responsibilities at the executive director (ED) level and a breakdown in the delegation of tasks across staff members. This imbalance often creates structural issues, impacting both the organization’s mission and its staff’s morale and efficiency. In response, the role of cultural operations specialists has become increasingly pivotal in restructuring these environments and ensuring that arts organizations remain mission-driven by fostering a healthy and dynamic company culture.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a compli... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén Census Data Speaks to the Puerto Rican Ethnogenesis Diplomatic Relations Spanish and American Propaganda White man's burden influence on propaganda.
Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revoluti... more Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revolution, emerged. With a combination of works commissioned by the government as well as the Cuban cinema, Cuban poster art proves to be a visual tour of Cuban life and perspective which bounces from propaganda to cultural snapshot.
Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened po... more Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened political fears on the island, postmodern art becomes a relief and much needed visual language for the struggling island of the Borikén. In order to understand the complexities of the modern Puerto Rican statehood movement we must connect to the propaganda of the past, the loss of connection to cultural identity, meticulously hidden beneath American idealism and Americanization efforts which would change the islands future for generations to come. The paper argues that the loss of identity through colonization is directly responsible for the postmodernist movement in Puerto Rican art which continues today.
Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revoluti... more Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revolution, emerged. With a combination of works commissioned by the government as well as the Cuban cinema, Cuban poster art proves to be a visual tour of Cuban life and perspective which bounces from propaganda to cultural snapshot.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a compli... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén Census Data Speaks to the Puerto Rican Ethnogenesis Diplomatic Relations Spanish and American Propaganda White man's burden influence on propaganda.
The paper analyzes the levels of poverty in all of America’s territories versus the poverty rates... more The paper analyzes the levels of poverty in all of America’s territories versus the poverty rates of the states individually and the impact of statehood.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a compl... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén faces monumental roadblocks when attempting to grasp a concrete independence plan after centuries of subjugation. The argument is that this hesitancy is built on a complex foundation of generational trauma and desensitization. With cultural reclamation is at the forefront of American political discourse, the goal is to examine if it is responsible to pursue an anti-colonial movement without quantifiable accountability from the American government. Furthermore, should this reckoning be under the guide of an independent Puerto Rico, focused on reclaiming its cultural and political identities, or under the eye of a government that has fostered their subjugation for centuries.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a compl... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and
Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened po... more Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened political fears on the island, postmodern art becomes a relief and much needed visual language for the struggling island of the Borikén. In order to understand the complexities of the modern Puerto Rican statehood movement we must connect to the propaganda of the past, the loss of connection to cultural identity, meticulously hidden beneath American idealism and Americanization efforts which would change the islands future for generations to come. The paper argues that the loss of identity through colonization is directly responsible for the postmodernist movement in Puerto Rican art which continues today.
Company culture is a critical component of any organization’s success, but in arts organizations,... more Company culture is a critical component of any organization’s success, but in arts organizations, its importance becomes even more pronounced. As entities that exist at the intersection of creativity and administration, arts organizations face unique challenges in balancing artistic vision with operational needs. In recent years, a resistance to modernizing infrastructure has emerged as a critical issue in many arts organizations, leading to a concentration of responsibilities at the executive director (ED) level and a breakdown in the delegation of tasks across staff members. This imbalance often creates structural issues, impacting both the organization’s mission and its staff’s morale and efficiency. In response, the role of cultural operations specialists has become increasingly pivotal in restructuring these environments and ensuring that arts organizations remain mission-driven by fostering a healthy and dynamic company culture.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a compli... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén Census Data Speaks to the Puerto Rican Ethnogenesis Diplomatic Relations Spanish and American Propaganda White man's burden influence on propaganda.
Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revoluti... more Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revolution, emerged. With a combination of works commissioned by the government as well as the Cuban cinema, Cuban poster art proves to be a visual tour of Cuban life and perspective which bounces from propaganda to cultural snapshot.
Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened po... more Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened political fears on the island, postmodern art becomes a relief and much needed visual language for the struggling island of the Borikén. In order to understand the complexities of the modern Puerto Rican statehood movement we must connect to the propaganda of the past, the loss of connection to cultural identity, meticulously hidden beneath American idealism and Americanization efforts which would change the islands future for generations to come. The paper argues that the loss of identity through colonization is directly responsible for the postmodernist movement in Puerto Rican art which continues today.
Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revoluti... more Cuban poster art took off in the late 1950’s as Fidel Castro’s Cuba, through the lens of revolution, emerged. With a combination of works commissioned by the government as well as the Cuban cinema, Cuban poster art proves to be a visual tour of Cuban life and perspective which bounces from propaganda to cultural snapshot.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a compli... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén Census Data Speaks to the Puerto Rican Ethnogenesis Diplomatic Relations Spanish and American Propaganda White man's burden influence on propaganda.
The paper analyzes the levels of poverty in all of America’s territories versus the poverty rates... more The paper analyzes the levels of poverty in all of America’s territories versus the poverty rates of the states individually and the impact of statehood.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a compl... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and political independence after centuries of cultural appropriation and indoctrination through political imagery and actions. The modern Borikén faces monumental roadblocks when attempting to grasp a concrete independence plan after centuries of subjugation. The argument is that this hesitancy is built on a complex foundation of generational trauma and desensitization. With cultural reclamation is at the forefront of American political discourse, the goal is to examine if it is responsible to pursue an anti-colonial movement without quantifiable accountability from the American government. Furthermore, should this reckoning be under the guide of an independent Puerto Rico, focused on reclaiming its cultural and political identities, or under the eye of a government that has fostered their subjugation for centuries.
To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a compl... more To truly comprehend the Statehood Movement in Puerto Rico (1967-present), we must examine a complicated timeline from Spanish colonization (1493-1898) through American occupation (1898-present) and modern Puerto Rican Nationalist/ Socialist Party (1922-present) ideologies. This analysis includes focusing on the difficulties of cultural reclamation and
Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened po... more Puerto Rico is often left out of American political and artistic discourse. Through heightened political fears on the island, postmodern art becomes a relief and much needed visual language for the struggling island of the Borikén. In order to understand the complexities of the modern Puerto Rican statehood movement we must connect to the propaganda of the past, the loss of connection to cultural identity, meticulously hidden beneath American idealism and Americanization efforts which would change the islands future for generations to come. The paper argues that the loss of identity through colonization is directly responsible for the postmodernist movement in Puerto Rican art which continues today.
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