Antonio Perez Bornot

"Havana now" exhibitions

Cuba - Habana Now
"Remember, remember always, that all of us are descended from immigrants."
- F.D.R. 1936
First and foremost, it is necessary to understand that images in this exhibit are by absolutely NO MEANS meant as a favorable reflection on Fidel Castro, his rise to power, or his chosen means of government and control. Those responsible for this production hold, in the highest regard and utmost respect, the courageous acts of so many that desire a life that provides more than the tyranny of one man.
HABANA NOW serves as an educational exploration into the recent state of the arts in Cuban culture. To appreciate the works within the past decade, one should have some understanding of the history of the island country; therefore, a time line is provided in this schedule accompanied with brief explanations of each artist's importance in the pale of Cuba's recent history. For our dear friends in the United States who personally understand the meaning of life under Fidel Castro, and for the loved ones still there, we dedicate this exhibition, with the shared hope that soon a dawn will rise over a new Cuba.
This exhibit is best viewed in chronological order, starting with select photos from the Alberto Korda collection at Elysium and concluding with the collaborative film installation of Anabel Bouza Cabrera and Clayton Howze Haskell at Opus Gallery.
ELYSIUM GALLERY
We begin with the images of Alberto Korda; Castro's chosen documentary photographer through the revolution in 1959 and on through most of the politically turbulent decade of the 60's. What is interesting to note is that in six photographs (in the six years between 1959-1965) we witness an aspiring leader's rise to power, the escape of many educated, the life of those remained and the same leader living the "bourgeois" lifestyle he fought to defeat. And, with the slightest bit of irony that only history can create, we see a fallen Fidel in Russian snow. Click here to view the entire Korda collection.
[01] - [06] Alberto Korda. Select photographs from private collection.

In the main room we start with Roberto Fabelo. One of Cuba's most famous living artists and seemingly possessed by the nature of the hybrid. Fabelo, along with others such as Pedro Pablo Oliva (also on display in this room) and Nelson Dominguez (Opus Gallery) are responsible for the shift in technique and theory during the 70's that began to indentify Cuban art. Until these artists, the largess of Cuban work reflected a strong French and Italian traditionally figurative influence. Notice the selection of media with Fabelo and Oliva, using whatever they can to place their images, since supplies in Cuba are so short.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[7] Roberto Fabelo. Limited edition print of 100. Ink on encyclopedia page. 2003. $1,600
[8] Roberto Fabelo. Serie Conquistadores. (Conquistador Series). Pastel and color pencil on paper. 1998. $16,800
[9] Roberto Fabelo. Limited edition print of 100. Ink on encyclopedia page. 2003. $1,600
[10] Pedro Pablo Oliva. Mixed media on paper. $1,600
In the same room hangs a work by Arturo Montoto. A photographer by trade, he studied in Russia for six years. His use of light and attention to detail have made him famous in Cuba, winning him Premium in Cuba award. His chosen technique is reminiscent of a more conservative traditional style, while his subject matter is reflective of contemporary Cuban life. More works by this artist are available for viewing at Opus Gallery.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[11] Arturo Montoto. Memoria de Larraz. (Memory of Larraz). Limited engraving; 24/30. $3,200
The next group of artists begin to represent a younger Cuba. Like with most generational differences in art, the subject matter changes but is still derived from a familiar source. We begin in this room with, Sandra Ramos, born in Havana in 1969. Seen recently in Art Basel and New York's MoMA. A printmaker, Ramos is seen here losing her identity to the overall identity that is all things Cuba.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[12] Sandra Ramos. Mi Diaria Vocacion de Suicida. (My Daily Suicidal Vocation). Colography on paper. $4,000
Following Ramos is, Tomas Esson. Born in Havana in 1963. This artist explores the unifaction of man and woman and how we create one with each other. In this series we see his confliction with the actions of both the United States and Cuba toward each other. Bandera gained his fame when he was banned from Cuba for a controverial exhibition during the mid 80's. To enter the space, one had to walk across a large photo of Che Guevara. Once inside, the public viewed a display of Fidel Castro in a famous stance during the Bay of Pigs invasion when he was pointing to a direction on the beach he wanted his men to protect. His pointing finger was a severed male sexual organ as well as was the cigar hanging out of his mouth. Bandera now resides in France.

No. Title: Price: Pic:
[13] - [18] Tomas Esson. Bandera. (Flag). American flags and Cuban flags. Original numbered drawings. 2002. $250
Then we are left with, Consuelo Castañeda. Born in Havana in 1958, shortly before the capital fell to Castro. Her work in this series serves as a strong visual definition of our goal in this exhibt to educate through the use of history and images.

No. Title: Price: Pic:
[19] Consuelo Castañeda. La Imagen y su Historia. (Image and it's history). Limited edition; 27/75. 1987. $1,200
[20] Consuelo Castañeda. La Historia Reconstruye la Imagen / La Imagen Reconstruye la Historia. (History Reconstructs the Image / The Image Reconstructs History). Silkscreen on paper. Limited edition; 67/75. 1987. $1,200
In the final room of Elysium, we have what would be considered in America, two "outside" artists(A.P.Bornot,Juan Carlos Anzardo), meaning they are self-taught.. It is important to keep in mind the exemplary natural talent of these artists for two reasons. One reason being they haven't any formidable education in the arts. And, they are from a country that has strictly limited any influence from the world outside of their borders, however we see both artists reflect very similar styles that we have seen in the past through the postmodern era.

No. Title: Price: Pic:
[21] Juan Carlos Anzardo. Arbol de la Vida. (Tree of Life). Oil on canvas. 2003. $1,100
[22] Juan Carlos Anzardo. Figurative No. 1. (Figure No.1). Oil on canvas. 2003. $1,100
[23] A.P. Bornot. Pajaro Azul. (Blue Bird). Oil on canvas. 2000. $1,400
[24] A.P. Bornot. Oil on canvas. $1,400
OPUS GALLERY
We continue on at Opus Gallery with more works in the first exhibit hall by Arturo Montoto. Once again, winner of the Premium in Cuba award last year.

No. Title: Price: Pic:
[25] Arturo Montoto. La Intimidad Descubierta / Para Ernesto. (The Discovery of Intimacy: For Ernesto). One of a kind engraving. 2002. $1,900 view

[26] Arturo Montoto. La Utilidad de Medio. Limited engraving; Limited engraving; 13/20. 2003. Received last year's Premium in Cuba award. $3,950 view


We then resume with more work from the artist, Nelson Dominguez. Amongst the most famous of Cuban artists, he has proven his talent in Cuba and remains the only artist with his own storefront gallery. As mentioned before, he was and continues to be an instrument in the defining moments of Cuban contemporary art. His works have sold in Christie's and Sotheby's and he remains a favorite, for obvious reasons, of Asian-Pacific collectors.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[27] Nelson Dominguez. Muyen con Abanico. (Woman with Fan). Charcoal and oil on canvas. 2001. $24,000 view

[28] Nelson Dominguez. Mascaras. (Masks). Limited Serigraph; 8/27. 2002. Received last year's Premium in Cuba award. $2,100 view

In the second exhibit hall, we begin with work by a now famous young artist known as, Kcho. His real name is Alexis Leyva. Born in Isla de Pinos in 1969. During the now infamous visit of the Pope to Cuba, he [the Pope] was presented with a selection of works, Kcho's work was part of that selection. Since then, his noteriety has grown on international levels. Spoken by some to be Cuba's answer to Damien Hurst, Kcho has occupied a very priveledged position in the landscape of contemporary art today.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[29] Kcho (Alexis Leyva). Untitled (Endless Column). Limited lithograph on paper; 34 of 50. 1999. $1,200 view

[30] Kcho (Alexis Leyva). Untitled (Winged Boat). Limited lithograph on paper; 32 of 50. 1999. $1,200 view


Following Kcho is one of Savannah's most ligitimate rising artists, Julio Garcia. Born in Cuba, he arrived in the United States during the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 at the age of seven. Five years later at the age of twelve, he began studying traditional painting under artist Antonita Dorta and continued under her tuteledge until the age of 18. He then went on to study printmaking and sculpture at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He has been selected for and particiapted in numerous residencies and a very impressive and growing list of exhibitions.
Note the unique differences in the process of a Cuban-American artist that has benefitted from the influence of the international community. However different the process, the theory, once again, seems to derive from a familiar source. Notice the lines that are essentially cut into the paper, significant of scaring, either physical or emotional, and the blue sections of synthetic vinyl, that attempt to cover that which is impossible to conceal.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[31] Julio Garcia. Untitled I. (Study for the Hidden Project). Mixed media on synthetic paper. 2004. $1,750 view

[32] Julio Garcia. Untitled II. (Study for the Hidden Project). Mixed media on synthetic paper. 2004. $1,750 view


In the third exhibit hall, we find the works of Ibrahim Miranda. Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1969. The foundation of his work concerns maps. At one time maps were works of fine art, through time they became more commercialized. Miranda not only makes a return to creating fine art from maps, but through his work explores direction of one's own self.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[33] - [37] Ibrahim Miranda. Untitled. (From the Noche Insular, Jardines Invisibles series). Ink and woodcuts on maps. 2001. $2500 each view


Back in the second exhibit hall, we conclude with the collaborative film installation of Anabel Bouza Cabrera and Clayton Howze Haskell, titled, Habana Now. In an exchange program, Mr. Haskell received the opportunity to study briefly in Cuba's University of Havana. Using his education in film, he spent much of his time capturing scenes of everyday life in Cuba through the eyes of young native artist, Anabel Bouza Cabrera. Both should be recognized for their courage in bringing these scenes back to the United States, as filming is usually prohibitted in Cuba, often by harsh penalty.
Note the juxtaposition of means by which the young female revolutionary from the Mariana Grajales Platoon (an all female group of fighters during the Revolution in 1959) sought change and the generation of young women (represented here by Anabel) that still hope and work for change in today's Cuba.
Also note the rest of the mantle, which is indicative of so many mantles and walls in the homes of those generations that lived through the last revolution. With its picture of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the most reproduced image in photographic history and the relics of time that are all that is left for the people of Habana now. Click here to view the entire Korda collection.
No. Title: Price: Pic:
[38] Alberto Korda. Photographer's private collection. His famous iconic photograph of Che Guevara. Korda did not release this photo to the public until after Che's death in 1967. This image became an icon during protests throughout the late 60's in Europe and the Americas, and has witnessed a strange resurgence in the past few years, making it the most reproduced image in photographic history. NFS view

[39] Alberto Korda. Private collection. Young 17 year old female revolutionary. NFS view

[40] Anabel Bouza Cabrera. Selection of photo series of Cuba from the film Habana Now. 2004. $30 per print or $400 for entire collection view

[41] Clayton Howze Haskell and Anabel Bouza Cabrera. HABANA NOW. Film installation. Not currently for available for purchase.

Click here to view the video installation. For better performance you may right-click on the link and choose "Save As..." or "Save Target As..." and save the video to your hard drive. The video is about 32 megabytes in size.
NFS
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