Forbidden Pages... In Flight

By Rosa Naday Garmendia

Forbidden Pages... In Flight invites you to explore banned books through a variety of compositions that offer clues and insights, inviting viewers to reflect on the significance of the suppressed works. The project empowers communities to engage with and challenge the suppression of ideas, keeping the conversation around free expression and education alive.

As book bans surge across the country—exceeding 10,000 during the 2023-2024 school year—Forbidden Pages…In Flight emerges as a compelling art and social engagement project that began in early 2023. Rooted in the centuries-old tradition of broadsides and letterpress printing—a medium that has shaped public discourse for over 500 years—this initiative leverages the power of art to educate, raise awareness, and inspire action.

Running from January 10th to April 3rd, 2025, the exhibit features a dynamic blend of art forms, including letterpress prints, zines, and site-specific installations. The work focuses on banned titles such as The Bluest Eye, Gender Queer, Before She Was Harriet, All Boys Aren’t Blue, and Fry Bread, part of a collection of over 2,500 children’s books challenged or banned in Florida public schools.

Through a vibrant fusion of colors, text, abstract patterns, ISBNs, matching barcodes, and selected excerpts from these banned texts, these compositions weave together powerful visual elements. Each component offers clues and insights, inviting viewers to reflect on the significance of these suppressed works.

By drawing on the historical and social significance of these printed forms, Forbidden Pages…In Flight is both a creative act of protest and a platform for ongoing dialogue on censorship. The project empowers communities to engage with and challenge the suppression of ideas, keeping the conversation around free expression and education alive.

Rosa Naday Garmendia is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work combines contemporary art and activism, drawing inspiration from her personal journey as a Cuban migrant. Her work revolves around exploring humanity amidst the impact of cultural assimilation.Through her creative practice, Garmendia aims to uncover concealed narratives, shedding light on untold stories that deserve understanding and recognition. Themes of identity, racism, and social justice are at the core of her art and drive her mission to create meaningful change.

She currently is a teaching artist at the Perez Art Museum Miami and is dedicated to creating a sense of community belonging beyond artificial geographic and ethnic boundaries. For more information on Garmendia’s work and scheduled public activations for Forbidden Pages, visit www.rosanadaygarmendia.com

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