Golden Classic Car Against Blue Trinidad Facade Wall Art

Chrome and Tail Fins Beneath Tall Arched Windows

The blue facade caught my attention as strongly as the car parked in front of it. In this Trinidad, Cuba photograph, a golden classic car sits beneath tall arched windows framed in white. Its rounded hood and long tail fins bring a different set of lines to the building’s more formal arrangement.

I made the photograph in 2017, keeping enough of the facade above the car to show how the two subjects work together. White trim outlines the windows and divides the wall into broad blue panels. Small balconies add finer lines near the upper left, while a dark red strip runs along the building’s base.

The car carries its own smaller details: round headlights, a wide grille, a bright chrome bumper, and the distinctive shape of the rear fins. Its front wheel turns toward the camera, giving the parked vehicle a slightly more open stance. Strong daylight picks out the metallic surfaces and casts a dark shadow onto the pale street.

There is an appealing balance between the bold colour overhead and the warmer car below. I did not need a busy street around them; their shapes and colours were enough to hold the frame.

For someone who enjoys classic cars or remembers travelling in Cuba, this print offers both interests in one scene. It has the recognisable character of a vintage automobile photograph, with the blue-and-white architecture giving it a setting that feels specific to this moment in Trinidad.

© Dan Kosmayer, 2017