Get A Glimpse Of Modern Cuban Art At The Havana Biennial

For ArtWalk Ventura 2015, one of the many highlights is the Havana To Ventura series which centers around Pedro Pulido, an illustrious sculptor and painter, and Victor Pina, a distinguished former aeronautical engineer.  Both are two Cuban creatives who, over the years, built a close relationship with some prominent artists in Ventura.  We've grown to endearingly call them "the Cubans"around here, and can't wait for everything to unfold as ArtWalk weekend quickly approaches. 

All the preparation for the event has peaked our interest about the Cuban art scene overall, especially since diplomatic relations were just recently normalized.  And we can's say that we are alone, as PBS News just ran a feature on the Havana Biennial art event which took place last month.  

The seven minute exposé by reporter Jeffery Brown interviews art collectors, event organizers, and Cuban artists, and ponders if the modern landscape has been "inhibited by censorship."  Brown leads the report by saying "There is art all along Havana's famous Malecon and throughout the city right now.  Art, in fact, is one of the ways this isolated island has chosen to show itself to the world, and the world is paying attention."  

During ArtWalk, there will be several events and projects about the journey from Havana to Ventura (and back!).  Here are a few directly related to this year's event.  There will be a mural project between local muralist MB Hanrahan and Pedro Pulido, who have been sending sketches over to one another to develop the final design for a building on Main Street.                                                                                                                                             

Also, do not miss "Conversations on Cuba", a breakfast and lecture held at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, July 18th from 10 AM - 12 PM. The event will include discussions on:

• "Mr. Way and Cuba" Victor Pina’s visual presentation on Ernest Hemingway; 
  
• The "20 Years of Cuba" photography exhibit by William Hendricks and his new book called Proof - a collaboration with Cuban writer Orlando Hernandez
  
• Lorenzo DeStefano and Pina and their experiences in Cuba, as well as film clips from the documentary about "The Sapphires", a Cuban close harmony vocal group.  
  

You can purchase tickets here. The ArtWalk Ventura event takes place July 18th and 19th, 2015. It is free and open to the public.