Cuba Libre

The Kunsthalle Rostock presents, under the auspices of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the group exhibition “Cuba Libre” curated by Tereza de Arruda.

Cuba Libre, a group exhibition, which was conceived for the Kunsthalle Rostock, new museum of the GDR, shows more than 30 current positions and works from the last 20 years by artists who live in Cuba. The aim is the art that is produced today in Cuba the example of its historical and cultural development to show. Given the speculation comes regarding their future with reference to the current political development: the end of the 54-year diplomatic dispute between the US and Cuba. At present, Cuba is changing.

For this exhibition, the political and cultural relationship between Cuba and the GDR plays a role, since Cuba in 1960 became the first Latin American country to the GDR recognized under international law. In 1961 a first agreement between the two countries was signed. Not only the variety of contractual bonds demonstrated the intensity of the relationship between two subjects of international law, but also the subjects were hardly any area of the economy and society. The selection of works was made ​​mainly in artists’ studios in Havana.

This exhibition linked artistic positions that range from local tradition, critical positions, official and unofficial art. They presented the current reality of Cuba the example of dissidents and officials from the local culture. Exactly in this period of change is clear opportunism or a critical look to play a role for the country’s future in extent. Often provide insights artistic positions as the population will move and what new contexts they will conquer. Therefore, the Cuban artists are now as strong representatives of their own country and its population. This includes paintings, installations, objects, photography, video and performance of over 20 living in Cuba contemporary artists like Lidzie Alvisa, Glauber Ballestero, Abel Barroso, Roberto Diago, Humberto Diaz, Roberto Fabelo, Aimée Garcia, Glenda León, Kelvin Lopez, Susana PD Matienzo, Reinier Nande, Jorge Otero, René Peña, Carlos Quintana, Sandra Ramos, Esterio Segura, Liudmila & Nelson and Rachel Valdés.

The contemporary works are works extended from the collection of Fototeca de Cuba and Taller de Grabado. Fototeca, Cuban center of Photography, presents a selection of about 30 works of their collection, the documentary reflects the evolution of life and urban representations of Cuba. In this context, we show works from the collection of Fototeca of the following artists: Pedro Abascal, Jose Agraz, Felix Antiquesa, Alfredo Betancourt Ivan Cañas, Raul Canibaño, arias Chang, Rolando Cordoba, Marion Diaz, Ricardo G. Elias, Jose Alberto Figueroa , Critobal Herrera, Mario Garcia Joya, Ramón González Martinez, Humberto Mayol, Leysis Quesada, Departamento Fotografico, Tercer Distrito Militar, Ejército Rebelde. from the part of Taller de Grabado we have selected 40 works by 25 artists, the development of common technology explain in Cuba. The exhibiting artists are: Max Delgado Corteguera, Tommy Ortiz, Alexis Leyva Machado (KCHO) Pollyana Fernández, Vicente Bonachea, Agustín Bejarano Caballero, Norberto Marrero PIREZ / Ángel Ramírez Roque, Pirosmani, Yillian Marie Torres, Pedro Pablo Oliva, Carlos Torres, Roger Aguilar, Zenén Vizcaíno, Rigoberto Mena, Carlos del Toro Orihuela, Ángel Ramírez Roque (colaboración con Riuzo, artista japonés) Aissar Abdala Jalil, Guillermo Ramírez Malberti, Rafael Zarza, Yamilys Brito Jorge, Zenén Vizcaíno, Octavio Irving Hernández Jiménez, Julio César Peña Peralta, Eduardo Roca Salazar (Choco).