WE HAD TO GO BACK!
Instead of breaking this out into segments, I think I'll just put it on one page in a timeline sort of order. Unfortunately as of today, almost a month after the trip, no one has shared pictures. So I'll make do with Dan's and my pictures that don't exactly cover everything.
Tuesday may 19 - miami
No, these pictures aren't from Miami, but it seems like a good time to introduce the group since many of us flew together and we all got together for a meetup and orientation at our hotel. Unfortunately, Dan & I failed to take pictures of people, so I'll fill you in verbally...
- Peggy and Stuart led the trip. They are the perfect combination for this!
- The lovely Viviana was again our Cuban guide.
- Rogelia was our bus driver for this trip.
- The wonderful Raquel arranged the visits to the artists and was a great help to us, as she was the last time.
- Eddie! What a great surprise to see him at the airport. A MOLAA curator who we met over a year ago and whose company we thoroughly enjoy.
- Burke & Susan were with us on our first trip and made a return appearance.
- Kim & Helen were also both with us the first time and came back again along with their friend Linda.
- Paul & Ashley - friends of Stuart's from Santa Fe.
- Marilyn & Sue are hard-core Los Angeleans. And between them, have the coolest jewelry collection ever.
- Ed & Wita - part of the 6 person San Diego contingent - major contemporary art collectors and Wita gives Marilyn & Sue a run for their money when it comes to jewelry.
- Sharon & Marc also in the San Diego gang.
- Hollis & Alan - the last of the San Diegans.
- Hillary - friend of MOLAA.
- Rose & Jeff and their kids Casey (she was an intern at MOLAA) and Evan - fun to have on the trip. They didn't seem to mind all the old people at all.
- Lee (sp?) & Patrick - friends of Rose & Jeff.
Wednesday may 20 - off to havana and a very busy day
5:00AM - The bus leaves the Miami hotel! A good hint that this won't exactly be a leisurely trip.
8:00 - We fly from a regular MIA terminal this time, not the charter terminal with its rather 3rd world feel. Still lots of people bringing lots of goods to Cuba, but none of that craziness from the first time.
9:00 - No issues getting into Cuba this time - except that one of the customs person's camera didn't work and she didn't bother shutting her line. So a bit of unnecessary standing around.
10:00 or 11:00ish - Doesn't get better than this - we start the trip by visiting Esterio Segura's studio. Hopefully everyone reading this has read or heard about our prior trip and the art at Troika and knows all about Esterio. If not, he's on the art page from the first trip. Here are new photos...
8:00 - We fly from a regular MIA terminal this time, not the charter terminal with its rather 3rd world feel. Still lots of people bringing lots of goods to Cuba, but none of that craziness from the first time.
9:00 - No issues getting into Cuba this time - except that one of the customs person's camera didn't work and she didn't bother shutting her line. So a bit of unnecessary standing around.
10:00 or 11:00ish - Doesn't get better than this - we start the trip by visiting Esterio Segura's studio. Hopefully everyone reading this has read or heard about our prior trip and the art at Troika and knows all about Esterio. If not, he's on the art page from the first trip. Here are new photos...
12:00ish - Swing past the Plaza de la Revolucion. Got to stop for a minute to take pictures.
12:30ish - Lunch at El Litoral - click on the logo to go to their website.
El Litoral is a new paladar (wasn't even there on our last trip). The have a "salad bar" that is really an amazing antipasto bar and the biggest surprise of all is that our fish was cooked correctly! Last trip, all the fish was very over-cooked. Funny thing happened though - Viviana (our Cuban guide) sent her fish back to be cooked more. So - it's obviously a Cuban thing, but they are learning what to do for the tourists. Note to self or anyone looking for Havana advice - the bar looked like a killer place to hang out at night.
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2:00ish - A little touring and a little free time in Old Havana before we can check into our hotel.
3:00ish - At the Hotel Parque Central.
3:00ish - At the Hotel Parque Central.
5:00 - Cocktail party at Juanito Delgado's. We were at his place last time (see The Art page for the original info on him) but it's full of all new art. He once again organized Detras del Muro - Behind The Wall. More on that later, but it's definitely THE big Biennial event for the locals (and everyone else). The picture of Eddie above was taken at Juanito's.
6:30 - Still going strong - off to RAM-ROM-RUN (run, save, and continue running).
The opening night of a Biennial exhibit in an historic building that is kind of a live work loft space. A project by Nina Menocal (Mexican gallerist) curated by Elvia Rosa Castro. Instead of posting our so-so pictures, check out this website (click on the logo) for really great pictures. We loved the measuring tape dress!
The best part is when we wandered into what we thought was performance art - an apartment with the TV on and music playing, pink walls, kitschy decor, a chicken spinning in the microwave. Wide open so you walk right in. Guess we were wrong! It's a guy's apartment. But he's trying to rent it and was happy to have people see it. |
8:00 - Dinner at Paladar San Cristobal. No website, but #2 on TripAdvisor! Really funky place, excellent food. The first of many lobster tails for dinner. Not sure what was up with that (it seems to definitely be reserved for tourists), but I can't complain. Here are a few of my lousy pictures from there (and just about the only food pictures of the trip).
thursday may 21 - havana
9:30AM - Walk the area around our hotel.
10:00 - Attend a dance performance by Compañia Irene Rodriguez.
10:00 - Attend a dance performance by Compañia Irene Rodriguez.
11:00 - Back to Old Havana including a visit to Taller de Grafica Experimental. We visited last time (and bought a couple things). It was a little quiet because most artists were involved in prep for the Biennial. We did get a few pictures, though.
2:30 - Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana.
The Museum of Fine Arts - Cuban Collection. The logo will take you to the website for a little more insight (not much - I can't seem to get past the main page). Raquel walked us through the exhibits which are arranged by era. Seems to be the way Cuban art is often organized. They do have a killer Wifredo Lam room. Unfortunately, as with the first time we went, time was limited, so we had more of an overview than an in-depth exposure.
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5:00ish - Wild Noise opening.
Artwork from The Bronx Museum of the Arts and El Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. The logo takes you to the website with a ton of information, images, video, etc. It was an interesting show, but what really blew us away was the crowd! People lined up to get in and galleries packed. Full of tourists and locals. Stuart and Peggy's son Sam works for the museum and was in Havana in an official capacity for this project.
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6:00 - Lecture/demonstration on the history of Cuban music.
Dan and I arrive late because we couldn't get our waitress in order to pay for our mojitos at the hotel. Silly. Anyhow, this was in a bar tucked in the back of the building that the Irene Rodriguez dance company rehearses in. Professor Alberto Faya lectured a bit - fairly interesting, but then he played with his son and two other young guys. Now that was some good music. Wish I had the keyboard player's name. That guy is going to be someone someday! |
7:30 - Dinner at Paladar Rio Mar - definitely check out the website (click on the logo) for pictures of the outdoor seating and view.
Another very new paladar where the Almendares River meets the Atlantic. We arrived in time to see the sunset from the beautiful patio hanging over the water. The view was back to Havana. The food was amazing! One of the nicest ceviches we've ever had. More lobster, but it was actually a mixed grill. Nice night.
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friday may 22 - havana
9:00AM - Off to ISA - Instituto Superior de Arte
We also went last time when it was significantly more active. Many of the instructors and students were out and about in Havana preparing their Bienal projects so it was pretty quite. There was an amazing portrait show and a few other amazing artists/pieces.
The logo will take you to The Art page from the first trip for a bit more info. Below are some new pictures. |