Now comes the hour of the Corals. Within a few days the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema will grant its awards, which since its founding in 1979 were extracted from the great coral reefs that inhabit the Caribbean Sea
These awards were real corals till only three years that they began to be made by hand, while maintaining their essence they turned into unique, valuable and manufactured pieces.
Because of the importance of preserving our species and environmental care, some time ago a regulation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Cuba (CITMA) was passed that prevents, for black coral protection, harvesting it from the sea bottom and marketing it. Because of this the festival organizers decided, after so many years, to change its design.
The founder of the contest, Alfredo Guevara, on the 34th Festival, called on goldsmiths and sculptors to present him a prototype of what could be the new Coral Prize. Although away from his essence who so distinguished from other film festivals in the world, this new “coral” should be made of some material emulating in beauty and value with the striking polyp.
The black coral is unique in the seabed, and replace it was a challenge and the challenge was assumed various artists. Guevara, after evaluating several prototypes presented, chose Jorge Gil, as was the one who was closer to the original in form and texture treatment. Also the simplicity of its design and aesthetics moved him toward his election.
Jorge Gil is one of our most distinguished jewelers and sculptors. In Germany, where there is a long tradition in jewelry design, he was recently selected among the 32 artists in the world to compete for their annual design award.
Similarly, his rings have been referenced in 500 Rings Showcase: New Directions in Art Jewelry (500 Series), American publication on the best rings of the world. Since 2012 he is responsible for making the Coral Prize of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema and has been the only artist from Cuba included in I Love You Design Jewelry and Accessories, first jewelry catalog published in China.
These existing corals are made of cast bronze and have a unique texture, performed manually. They are mounted on a black marble base, and the plate that identifies the award is also engraved in silver by hand.
Delivered in various categories and awarded by a prestigious jury they will be announced on December 14 at the Karl Marx Theater. For now we can only anticipate that the Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro producer will receive one of these statues: The Coral of Honor.
