No matter what your ethnic background may be, there is a quality in salsa music and dance that can make everyone want to move. The beats, the rhythm, and the way the music/dance can even sound seductive at times. However, appreciating the cultural history and role salsa music played is just as important as appreciating the art itself. As someone who is not of Hispanic or Latino heritage, I did not have much exposure to the art form, and I was not aware that salsa had its deep roots in the history of New York City. One thing that the museum effectively accomplishes is balancing the history of immigration in New York City, and teaching the cultural significance of salsa music and dance. Not only is the museum-goer informed about salsa itself, but about how immigration in our then developing city has evolved culturally.
One of the significant aspects of the salsa exhibit is the way it focuses on fashion’s role in salsa. I personally believe that fashion is one of the most important art-forms which reflects the ever-evolving nature and values of our modern role. The first sight the visitor is met with is a trio of outfits worn by salsa moguls, including Cuban-born singer, Celia Cruz. Cruz, a household name in the music industry, had a strong impact on the Latin music industry as a woman of a darker complexion. She was, and is still, loved by families generations later. To have her costume displayed is to emphasize the iconic role she played in furthering the Latin music movement. The display of these concert outfits is interesting in that they are so representative of the energy of Latin salsa music; the sparkling sequins, bright colors and disorienting patterns reflect the liveliness this music brought into the New Yorker lives that were burdened by immigration challenges. The music, the artists, and the costumes brought a light into the lives of immigrants that had problems living in less developed areas in New York City such as East Harlem and the west side.
Even singer Tito Puente, who lived just blocks away from the Museum of the City of New York, highlighted the role that fashion played in his music and performance. He considered his costume to be “almost as important as his instruments” because his “suave appearance” was essential to the way the music was absorbed by the public. Music works with visual imagery, and just as dance is important in communicating the ideas of the music, appearance and fashion matter a lot. The visual aspect of the music was highlighted by the museum by displaying a variety of album cover art, most of which was used by the artist to depict a certain image. For example, there was an album cover which had the artist’s fake FBI wanted poster. Not only did this add to the “badass” and “fearless” image he wanted to portray during the time of the Black Panthers, but it calls out a specific social issue concerning Latinos and the authority during the time period.
The salsa exhibit was a very interesting one, and I was captivated by the way music worked with visual imagery, most importantly fashion and album art/posters. The two are codependent and share an important relationship in communicating the ideas the Latin musicians wanted to portray.
