Hello travelers of the @worldmappin community!
Today, I have the pleasure of inviting you to discover, study, and learn a bit about Cuban artistic culture. You will discover a spectacular treasure in collections of unique paintings and sculptures from the island, plus the fascinating design and architecture showcased by the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba 🇨🇺.
I hope you like the artworks and enjoy each of these artistic and architectural creations. Join me on this wonderful tour 😉
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The building has been a recurring place for me, as I enjoy wandering through halls and galleries all over the country in search of interesting gems that catch my attention.
The facility occupies an entire city block and has three floors. The main entrance is on Trocadero Street, between Agramonte Street and Bélgica Avenue, facing the Granma Memorial, in one of the most central areas of Havana, just a few blocks from the Capitol Building.
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As you can see in the images, the entrance features a small staircase with 6 steps, paved with cobblestones like the entire exterior of the museum. It has an aluminum handrail in the center of the short but wide staircase, with high walls and the entire center of the entrance—where the main door is located—clad in mirror-effect glass panels.
As we step inside, we find the museum's reception area. If you turn around, you can admire a large, highly colorful mural above the glass entrance, made of small mosaics—truly beautiful. It features a sculpture by the renowned Cuban visual artist Manuel Mendive, showcasing the exhibition "Pan con guayaba, una vida feliz" (Bread with Guava, A Happy Life) for an entire month.
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The rooms on the first floor gather pieces from Mendive's academic period as a student, the paintings on found wooden panels, and the planimetric works from the 1970s in which he explored Yoruba myths, popular traditions, and historical accounts.
The exhibition also features his most recent work, where he reflects, with a universal perspective, on humanity, nature, and religion. Additionally, there are prodigious creatures: birds, deities, women, and children; lush vegetation that seems to dance; and hundreds of shells and snails that evoke myths and legends—a religious heritage with its origins in Mother Africa, which found lyrical expression in these lands. This is the art of Mendive, rich and evocative.
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Mendive always leaves traces that connect all of his creations, which transcend the interpretations of Yoruba myths and their representational system, moving toward a mystical universe where he engages with humanity, nature, and spirituality.
His art has become a meeting point for multiple generations, bridging the identity-seeking endeavors of Cuban artistic development and the anthropological reflections of creators from the eighties.
---
The following rooms feature exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, divided into large adjoining halls based on the different artists. Most of the spaces have excellent lighting as well as climate control—a much-appreciated feature given the island's high temperatures during these months.
---
The contemporary sculpture by Osneldo García, titled "The Naked Corset," showcases the artist's incredible imagination, crafted from a sheet of iron. The creator leverages his knowledge of metalworking to fashion a female body from whose sex threatening nails emerge.
---
It is noteworthy, the special treatment this complex building has received. It has colonial origins, which were significantly modified for public enjoyment. Interestingly, this reflects the narrative being told here. It follows a chronological order in the history of our nation's creations, spanning from the Spanish colonial era to the present day.
With a thesaurus that amounts to a million-piece collection, the patrimonial fund of Cuban visual arts documents the symbolic production on our island from the 17th century to the present, through paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and installations. It is divided into core sections based on its creative stages: Art in the Colonial Era, Turn of the Century, Modern Art, and Contemporary Art.
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Another sculpture that completely captured my attention is the one by Juan Ricardo Amaya, titled "The Tamer," designed with wood, assembled from driftwood debris, and papier-mâché. The creator's rigorous craftsmanship has my utmost respect.
---
Continuing with my favorite sculptures is the one by José Bedia Valdés, titled "The Blow of Time," created with acrylic on canvas, photocopies on paper, plant fiber, wood, stone, metal, grass, and fabric.
It expresses the confrontation of opposites: male-female, life and death, incorporating pure cultural elements, such as objects from Afro-Cuban and indigenous cultures, along with technical resources in their own right.
---
From the contemporary period, there are historical and highly relevant paintings, such as the one of the first boxer, Teófilo Stevenson, to win Cuba's first Olympic medal in 1972. It is a gem for tourists visiting the museum.
Another sculptural and religious design that stands out in the current exhibitions room is the one blending Afro-Cuban and Christian cultures.
---
The second floor has a very beautiful lobby where transparent display cases are exhibited, filled with dried leaves from various native plants, and a national emblem made with dried tree branches. On both sides, there are large exhibition halls.
On this floor, there is also an Educational Room where we were told they hold workshops for children. Some of the children's drawings are displayed there, and I found the connection with the children to be very beautiful. There is also a hall dedicated to artists representing Cuban folklore.
---
As I was mentioning, the work "Cuban Landscape" by Alexis Leiva Machado captured attention for its imaginative take on the island's culture, expressing the national symbols of Cuba 🇨🇺.
Also on display is the national flag by Tania Bruguera, created with human hair, fabric, thread, and paper on wood. A piece that achieves a powerful impact.
---
The contrast is eloquently achieved, reflecting the deeply rooted Afro-Taíno charisma. It is mirrored in the African and indigenous contributions to the cultural representation of our island. This is why, when visiting and contemplating the museum, we must understand that Cuba is a rich "ajiaco" of global influences.
These influences led to the birth of our national culture, which permeates every corridor of this great place. Here lie the talent and imagination of everyday Cubans, who, in moments of exceptional brilliance, became geniuses and paradigms for a distinct generation of artists.
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#hivecuba
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#proofofbrain
#waivio
#spanish
#curie
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#chessbrothers
¡Hola viajeros de la comunidad @worldmappin! Hoy tengo el placer de invitarlos a conocer, estudiar y aprender un poco de la cultura artística cubana. Conocerán un tesoro espectacular en colecciones de pinturas y esculturas únicas de la isla, además del fascinante diseño y arquitectura que muestra el Museo Nacional de Bellas Arte de Cuba 🇨🇺. Espero les gusten las obras y disfruten cada uno de estas creaciones artísticos y arquitectónicas. ¡Acompáñame en este maravilloso recorrido 😉!---
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The building has been a recurring place for me, as I enjoy wandering through halls and galleries all over the country in search of interesting gems that catch my attention.
The facility occupies an entire city block and has three floors. The main entrance is on Trocadero Street, between Agramonte Street and Bélgica Avenue, facing the Granma Memorial, in one of the most central areas of Havana, just a few blocks from the Capitol Building.
La edificación ha sido un lugar recurrente para mí, ya que me gusta recorrer salas y galerías en todo el país, en busca de joyas interesantes que capten mi atención. La instalación ocupa toda una manzana y tiene tres plantas, la entrada principal está en la calle Trocado entre la calle Agramonte y la avenida Bélgica, frente al Memorial Granma, en una de las zonas más céntricas de La Habana, a pocas cuadras del Capitolio.---
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As you can see in the images, the entrance features a small staircase with 6 steps, paved with cobblestones like the entire exterior of the museum. It has an aluminum handrail in the center of the short but wide staircase, with high walls and the entire center of the entrance—where the main door is located—clad in mirror-effect glass panels.
As we step inside, we find the museum's reception area. If you turn around, you can admire a large, highly colorful mural above the glass entrance, made of small mosaics—truly beautiful. It features a sculpture by the renowned Cuban visual artist Manuel Mendive, showcasing the exhibition "Pan con guayaba, una vida feliz" (Bread with Guava, A Happy Life) for an entire month.
Como pueden observar en las imágenes la entrada cuenta con una pequeña escalinata de 6 peldaños revestida de adoquín como todo el exterior del museo. Contiene una barandilla de aluminio en el centro de la corta pero amplia escalera, con paredes altas y todo el centro de la entrada donde está la puerta principal revestido con paneles de vidrio efecto espejo. Al adentrarnos nos encontramos con la recepción del museo y si te volteas podrás apreciar de un gran mural sobre la entrada de cristal con gran colorido, hecho de pequeños mosaicos, siendo realmente muy hermoso. Presenta una escultura del reconocido artista cubano de la plástica Manuel Mendive, que proyecta durante todo un mes la exposición "Pan con guayaba, una vida feliz".---
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The rooms on the first floor gather pieces from Mendive's academic period as a student, the paintings on found wooden panels, and the planimetric works from the 1970s in which he explored Yoruba myths, popular traditions, and historical accounts.
The exhibition also features his most recent work, where he reflects, with a universal perspective, on humanity, nature, and religion. Additionally, there are prodigious creatures: birds, deities, women, and children; lush vegetation that seems to dance; and hundreds of shells and snails that evoke myths and legends—a religious heritage with its origins in Mother Africa, which found lyrical expression in these lands. This is the art of Mendive, rich and evocative.
En las salas del primer piso se recopilan piezas de la etapa académica de Mendive como estudiante, las pinturas sobre tablas encontradas, la planimetría de los años 70 en que abordó los mitos yorubas, tradiciones populares y relatos históricos. También en la exposición se podrá encontrar su trabajo más reciente donde indaga, con una mirada universal, sobre el hombre, la naturaleza y la religión. Además de criaturas prodigiosas: pájaros, deidades, mujeres y niños; vegetación pujante que parece danzar, y cientos de conchas y caracoles que remiten a mitos y leyendas, a un acervo religioso que tiene sus orígenes en la madre África y que encontró lírica concreción en estas tierras. Es el arte de Mendive, pleno y sugerente.---
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Mendive always leaves traces that connect all of his creations, which transcend the interpretations of Yoruba myths and their representational system, moving toward a mystical universe where he engages with humanity, nature, and spirituality.
His art has become a meeting point for multiple generations, bridging the identity-seeking endeavors of Cuban artistic development and the anthropological reflections of creators from the eighties.
Mendive siempre deja huellas que conectan toda su creación, la cual trasciende las interpretaciones de los mitos yorubas y su sistema de representación hacia un universo místico donde se compromete con el hombre, la naturaleza y lo espiritual. Su arte ha devenido punto de encuentro de varias generaciones, entre las búsquedas identitarias del desarrollo artístico cubano y las reflexiones antropológicas de los creadores de los ochenta.---
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The following rooms feature exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, divided into large adjoining halls based on the different artists. Most of the spaces have excellent lighting as well as climate control—a much-appreciated feature given the island's high temperatures during these months.
Las siguientes habitaciones muestran exposiciones de pinturas y esculturas que están divididas por grandes salas contiguas en función de los diferentes artistas, tienen muy buena iluminación en la mayoría de los locales, así como el sistema de climatización, algo que se agradece mucho por las altas temperaturas de estos meses de la isla.---
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The contemporary sculpture by Osneldo García, titled "The Naked Corset," showcases the artist's incredible imagination, crafted from a sheet of iron. The creator leverages his knowledge of metalworking to fashion a female body from whose sex threatening nails emerge.
La escultura contemporánea de Osneldo García titulada "El corset desnudo" demuestra la increíble imaginación del artista creada a través de una lámina de hierro. El creador explota sus conocimientos de chapistería y crea un cuerpo femenino de cuyo sexo asoman unos clavos amenazantes.---
---
It is noteworthy, the special treatment this complex building has received. It has colonial origins, which were significantly modified for public enjoyment. Interestingly, this reflects the narrative being told here. It follows a chronological order in the history of our nation's creations, spanning from the Spanish colonial era to the present day.
With a thesaurus that amounts to a million-piece collection, the patrimonial fund of Cuban visual arts documents the symbolic production on our island from the 17th century to the present, through paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and installations. It is divided into core sections based on its creative stages: Art in the Colonial Era, Turn of the Century, Modern Art, and Contemporary Art.
Es relevante, el manejo especial que ha recibido este complejo edificio. El cual posee un origen colonial, que fuertemente se retoco para el disfrute social. Curiosamente, es como el mensaje que se trata de contar acá. Es un orden cronológico, en la historia de las creaciones de nuestra patria. Que van, desde la colonia española hasta la actualidad. Con un tesauro que asciende a una millonaria colección de piezas, el fondo patrimonial de la plástica cubana testimonia la producción simbólica realizada en nuestra isla desde el siglo XVII hasta la actualidad, a través de pinturas, esculturas, dibujos, grabados e instalaciones. Es dividido por núcleos en sus etapas de creación: Arte en la Colonia, Cambio de Siglo, Arte Moderno y Arte Contemporáneo.---
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Another sculpture that completely captured my attention is the one by Juan Ricardo Amaya, titled "The Tamer," designed with wood, assembled from driftwood debris, and papier-mâché. The creator's rigorous craftsmanship has my utmost respect.
Otra escultura que captó toda mi atención es la de Juan Ricardo Amaya, nombrada "El Domador" diseñada con madera, ensamblaje de detritus de resaca y papier maché. Riguroso oficio del creador mis respetos.---
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Continuing with my favorite sculptures is the one by José Bedia Valdés, titled "The Blow of Time," created with acrylic on canvas, photocopies on paper, plant fiber, wood, stone, metal, grass, and fabric.
It expresses the confrontation of opposites: male-female, life and death, incorporating pure cultural elements, such as objects from Afro-Cuban and indigenous cultures, along with technical resources in their own right.
En continuación con mis favoritas esculturas está la de José Bedia Valdés, con título "El golpe del Tiempo", instalada con acrílico sobre lienzo, fotocopias sobre papel, fibra vegetal, madera, piedra, metal, hierba y tela. En ella se expresa la confrontación de los opuestos: macho-hembra, vida y muerte, apropiándome de elementos culturales puros, como objetuales de las culturas afrocubanas e indígenas, además de recursos técnicos propiamente dichos.---
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From the contemporary period, there are historical and highly relevant paintings, such as the one of the first boxer, Teófilo Stevenson, to win Cuba's first Olympic medal in 1972. It is a gem for tourists visiting the museum.
Another sculptural and religious design that stands out in the current exhibitions room is the one blending Afro-Cuban and Christian cultures.
De la etapa contemporánea, están cuadros históricos y de mucha relevancia como el del primer boxeador Teófilo Stevenson en ganar la primera medalla para Cuba en Juegos Olímpicos en 1972. Es joya para el turismo de visita al museo. Otro diseño escultórico y religioso que resalta en la sala de actualidad es la de la mezcla de culturas afrocubano y cristianas.---
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The second floor has a very beautiful lobby where transparent display cases are exhibited, filled with dried leaves from various native plants, and a national emblem made with dried tree branches. On both sides, there are large exhibition halls.
On this floor, there is also an Educational Room where we were told they hold workshops for children. Some of the children's drawings are displayed there, and I found the connection with the children to be very beautiful. There is also a hall dedicated to artists representing Cuban folklore.
La segunda planta tiene un vestíbulo muy bonito en el cual se exponen unos cuadrantes transparentes llenos de hojas de plantas secas de diferentes plantas autoctonas y un escudo nacional hecho con ramas de árboles secas y a ambos lados hay grandes salas de exposición. En esta planta tambien hay una Sala Didáctica donde nos explicaron que había talleres para niños, en la misma se exponen algunos de sus dibujos, me pareció muy bonita la conexión con los niños. También hay una sala de artistas exponentes del folclore cubano.---
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As I was mentioning, the work "Cuban Landscape" by Alexis Leiva Machado captured attention for its imaginative take on the island's culture, expressing the national symbols of Cuba 🇨🇺.
Also on display is the national flag by Tania Bruguera, created with human hair, fabric, thread, and paper on wood. A piece that achieves a powerful impact.
Como les mencionaba la obra "Paisaje Cubano" de Alexis Leiva Machado captó la atención por su imaginación en la cultura isleña, expresando los símbolos patrios de Cuba 🇨🇺. También se encuentra la bandera nacional, por Tania Bruguera creada con cabellos humanos, tela, hilo y papel sobre madera. Pieza que logra un fuerte impacto.---
---
The contrast is eloquently achieved, reflecting the deeply rooted Afro-Taíno charisma. It is mirrored in the African and indigenous contributions to the cultural representation of our island. This is why, when visiting and contemplating the museum, we must understand that Cuba is a rich "ajiaco" of global influences.
These influences led to the birth of our national culture, which permeates every corridor of this great place. Here lie the talent and imagination of everyday Cubans, who, in moments of exceptional brilliance, became geniuses and paradigms for a distinct generation of artists.
El contraste es de manera elocuente, con el arraigado carisma afro-taíno. Pues se refleja en las contribuciones africanas e indígenas, a la forma de representación cultural de nuestra isla. Es por eso, que a la hora de visitar y contemplar el museo, debemos entender que Cuba es un gran ajiaco de corrientes mundiales. Estas dieron al traste, con el nacimiento de nuestra cultura nacional. La cual, chorrea a cada pasillo de este gran lugar. Acá reposan los talentos y la imaginación, de cada cubano de a pie. Que en momentos de suma brillantez se volvieron genios y paradigmas de una generación distinta de artistas.---
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