The art scene in Cuba is thriving and helping revitalize the island – WCVB Boston
The art scene in Cuba is thriving and helping revitalize the island
Over the past several years, the Cuban government has permitted private art galleries to open
Updated: 9:28 PM EST Mar 5, 2021
ERIKA: IT’S ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES ACCORDING TO TIME MAGAZINE. THE LINE TO GET IN SNAKES DOWN THE ROAD. ENTER TO FIND ART ALL OVER, HANGING ON THE WALLS AND INSTALLED IN THE HALLS. REVOLVING EXHIBITS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. TAKE A TURN AND A VIDEO INSTALLATION IS PLAYING AT ANOTHER AND A CONCERT IS UNDERWAY. THE CUBAN CIGAR BEING SMOKED AT THE PATIO BAR IS THE GIVEAWAY THAT WE ARE STILL IN HAVANA. IT’S THE HOTTEST AND HIPPEST LATE-NIGHT SPOT IN THE CITY. ON THIS NIGHT, THE MAIN STAGES ROCKING AS A GRAMMY NOMINATED GROUP HAS THE CROWD GOING WILD. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS HUNGER FOR THE CREATIVE HERE IN HAVANA. THE ART SCENE IS THRIVING. ON THE MAIN PROMENADE, SOUVENIR PIECES ARE SET UP AND FOR SALE. ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD A LOCAL PAINTER OPENS HIS HOME TO VISITORS, HIS ENTRYWAY FILLED FLOOR TO CEILING WITH A COLLECTION OF HIS FRIEND US WORKS — FRIEND’S WORKS. >> JUST BRINGING CULTURE AND ART TO THE PEOPLE. ERIKA: HE’S A GALA REST — GALLERIST. HIS FATHER, A FAMOUS CUBAN ACTOR, OPENED THE GALLERY INTO 2016. — IN 2016. >> IT HAD BEEN A BAKERY. THIS WAS ONE OF THE POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY. ERIKA: OVER SEVERAL YEARS THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED PRIVATE GALLERIES LIKE THIS TO OPEN. >> WHY DOES A GALLERY HAVE TO BE RUN BY THE STATE? HERE WE HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY AND IT’S EASIER TO WORK. ERIKA: SOME OF THE WORK IS PROVOCATIVE. THIS SHOW CELEBRATES THE WORK OF THE SO-CALLED KING OF THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT BEFORE BEING KILLED BY A RIVAL IN 1910. ALL OF THE WORKS IN THE EXHIBITION INSPIRED BY THIS QUOTATION, LOOSELY TRANSLATED SAYING THE MAN STILL WALKS IN THE STREETS OF THE CITY TODAY, THE OWNER OF A CROWN THAT NO OTHER CULO OR COULD EVER WEAR.” PIMP HE SAYS IT’S NOT AS CONSERVATIVE AS MANY THANK YOU, EXPLORING TOPICS LIKE WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND SEXUALITY WITHOUT GOVERNMENT REPERCUSSIONS. >> WE NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. WE PRESENT WHAT WE SHOW HERE TO THEM. THEY ALWAYS COLLABORATE WITH US. ERIKA: HE’S FOUND SUCCESS CULTIVATING EXPRESSION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. THE SAME GOES FOR FABRICA DE ARTE, CLASSIFIED NOT AS A PRIVATE BUSINESS BUT AS A COMMUNITY PROJECT, SO IT OPERATES ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY WITH CONSIDERABLE INDEPENDENCE. REPRESSION STILL HAPPENS. THE REVOLUTION IS STILL CELEBRATED. BUT THERE IS AN EMERGING CUBA, YOUNG ENERGY AND AN APPETITE FOR GROWTH CAUTIOUSLY CHALLENGING THE STATUS WELL. — STATUS QUO. ANTHONY: THAT IS “CHRONICLE” FOR TONI
Advertisement
The art scene in Cuba is thriving and helping revitalize the island
Over the past several years, the Cuban government has permitted private art galleries to open
Updated: 9:28 PM EST Mar 5, 2021
This was filmed prior to some COVID-19 restrictions. Please check out the websites of the attractions covered in the segment for visitor information.Fabrica De Arte, named one of the world’s greatest places to visit by Time magazine, is considered Havana’s hippest late-night spot. The former cooking-oil factory is home to galleries, performance spaces, bars and restaurants. Galeria Taller Gorria is a contemporary gallery in the San Isidro neighborhood of Havana. It was opened by famous Cuban actor and artist Jorge Perugorria as part of an effort to revitalize the area.
This was filmed prior to some COVID-19 restrictions. Please check out the websites of the attractions covered in the segment for visitor information.
Fabrica De Arte, named one of the world’s greatest places to visit by Time magazine, is considered Havana’s hippest late-night spot. The former cooking-oil factory is home to galleries, performance spaces, bars and restaurants.
Advertisement
Galeria Taller Gorria is a contemporary gallery in the San Isidro neighborhood of Havana. It was opened by famous Cuban actor and artist Jorge Perugorria as part of an effort to revitalize the area.