23.2.10
Material Expression
Img by Uliana Apatina and Francisco Gonzalez de Canales
"From 1959-1988, the building industries in Cuba, was based on a centralized production in large automated facilities operated by the ministry of construction. The collapse of the Soviet Union had a dramatic effect on this system, as they were the mane supplier of energy for the cuban building industries. The actual cuban government is looking for local material production, such as bricks. This last few year some small brick factories have open all over Cuba. The main one is located in Pinar del Rio Province, Las Tunas Camaguey and Holguin. This new process of producing decentralized and local building materials has allowed the country to face up urgent problems such as housing." Maud Sanciaume
22.2.10
Archaic Machines
Img by Gary Dupont
"Since 1961 Embargo froze most of technological progress in Cuba. As a result Havana showcases an incredible collection of machines manufactured before the 1960s: appliances, bicycles, cars or sewing machines aging more than fifty years but still working today." By Francisco Gonzalez de Canales
Rururbanity
Imgs by Max Hacke
"As a consequence of the political context of Cuba and the resulting economic independence (embargo), pleople have to produce all of theri food by themselves. The organoponicos are small urban farms where vegetables are planted for the whole community around them." By Max Hacke
21.2.10
Recycling
Imgs by Uliana Apatina
"Because of the country`s economic situation, people have invented ways to get along. By recycling, reusing and adjusting objects, materials and spaces, the city of Havanna has been reconfigured and shaped by its people. [...] Due to the political context of Cuba and the resulting lack of materials, the Cuban people became masters in reusing and recycling whatever is available." By Max Hacke
Biological Exuberance
"In Cuba nature demonstrates a powerful presence: If you plant one single tree, a whole forest will emerge. The Cuban earth fertility impregnates with its natural power all Havana environments. A fertility that goes beyond vegetation and continues in the human condition." Nuria Alvarez Lombardero
Commerce
"In Cuba the commerce is heavily controlled by the state, controlling the people´s mobility. The economy segregates the shopping spaces between tourist and Cubans." By Olivia Wright
Sharing
" The relationship between an individual and the collective is happenning in Cuba by means of sharing. [...] In dancing there is a rule behind improvisation: the particular improvisation never happens twice." By Liza Rudyk
Building Havana
"Vedado displays a good range of Havana’s modem architecture, with some remarkable examples of the so-called tropical modern: buildings which are never closed and performing as a system of filters where diffused light and air are continuously circulating." By Francisco Gonzalez de Canales
20.2.10
Decay
"Recycled in transformations ... Existential manifestation of our temporary,Once divided ... nothing left to subtract ... Immortality ..."By Kayvan Sarvi
Everyday
Img by Nuria Alvarez Lombardero
"The true political activity in Havana resides within its more densely populated neighbourhoods- mainly in Centre and Old Havana. The everyday activity within these parts are compromised of unnplanned bottom-up activities that take place amongst planned events. Within the totalitarian regime of Cuba, the Cubans carry on their daily lives by appropiating the system for their own use. This appropiation takes place both through events and spatially." By Merve Anil
Declamatory Art
"Art Practice in Havana is quite different from any other palce in the world as the specificity of artists' studios brings the very fragile and enigmatic atmosphere of the naked art sensations. In fact, artists create and exhibit and art at the same place which quite often can share the function of theit living space as well. Their studios are their homes when any, even occasional, passer-by is more than welcome. They are not disterbed by the colourful crowd behind their windows, but on the contrary feel very comfortable and happy to interact. Interestingly, as long as their studios carry the status of their homes they are free to express their artistic vision on any even the most complicated issue, and in any form - even it is a form of a protest and confrontation." By Uliana Apatina
Dialogues
Img by Merve Anil
"Both public and private dialogue is moderated by the government at the different layers of these realms in Havana. Dialogue is the fundamental way for individuals to relate to the public, whether this is informal discussion, formal negotiations, peaceful or aggressive demonstration; it is not only pleasant but is sometimes unpleasant and confrontational. The lack of free dialogue is the primary reason for the lack of individual freedom in Cuba. This dialogue must be open to all, and every opinion must be respected as one coming from an equal but different individual or group of individuals. At the same time the individuals or groups must not be forced to subscribe to a spectrum (left or right), or to the ideology of a larger supergroup (party) in order to be heard. Only with an open and unmoderated framework for dialogue can multitudes of people relate in an unpredictable and uncontrolled way so as to achieve something that is product of their collective friction." By Stavros Pappavassiliou
Transport
Img by Gary Dupont
"Cuba has been undergoing a revolution in the way its society lives, works and accesses mobility. Bus and train stations and especially bus stops are the place where people have the opportunity to gather and exchange without the control of the military which forbids public meetings, and political debates." By Gary Dupont
19.2.10
Production
Imgs by Karl Karam
"Cuba produces various products such as nickel, pharmaceuticals, sugar and mainly rum and cigars. Although machinery is present in some part of the production line manual work stays very important in that process.
Especially knowing that machines in Havana are a composition of mechanical pieces recycled again and again through the hands of the people.They are all customized to whatever is needed.They acquire identities and shed light on the Cuban reality."By Karl Karam
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