Go see the stunning visual art that pushes boundaries. Stroll along the sea boulevard to view installations, explore exhibitions in the rooms of an old fortress or visit an emerging art gallery. You will sweat under the burning sun and Caribbean sky, but you have a sombrero and can sip lemonade or mojitos. Hop in a vintage ’56 Chevy to the next venue on your list to discover talented Cuban artists. This is the Havana Biennial!
The Havana Biennial was established in 1984. Its first edition was dedicated to artists of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2019, the 13th Havana Bienal takes place April 12-May 19. There will be exhibitions, workshops, conferences and always outdoor performance art.
“Detras del Muro” – Behind the Malecon, the one kilometer stretch from Maceo Park to Prado Boulevard, will house over fifty artists and galleries. The Pabellon Cuba cultural center in central Vedado will have ten artists exhibiting architecture. Old Havana will have secret pop-up galleries and outdoor installations along El Prado. El Taller Chullima, close to Fabrica del Arte, will be curated by Wilfredo Prieto and merge various mediums including acclaimed cuisine. El Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) will also participate.
“Mascara de Sabio” – $11,000 
From Kcho’s migration series $80,000 
2012 Biennial art installation of giant ants on the facade of the Fausto Theater in Havana, Cuba 
Havana Biennial 2012 
Painter Eduardo Roca “Choco” in his studio in Old Havana.
My noteworthy artist discoveries in the 2015 Havana Biennial:
Ariamna Contino Mendoza – paper cutouts “Camino al Eden” (border landscapes) with partner Alex Hernandez – installation of statistics and tables on issues of global economy, very graphical
Ernesto Rancano – “Sombras de Ayer” (2014) – note: go to his studio space on the rooftop above Las Minas Rest. at Plaza de Armas, Havana Vieja
Lescay (Alberto)
Angel Ramirez – see “Taller de la Sexta Puerta”
Gilberto Frometa Fernandez – “A Volar!” – a paper airplane montage on painting, The Embargo Has Not Ended Yet
Michel Mirabal – “Carrera de Relevo” – U.S.- Cuba flags and newspaper cutouts
Arles del Rio – “Resaca” (Undertow) on the Malecon in “Detras del Muro/Behind the Wall”, “La Necesidad de Otros Aires” (The Need For Other Airs) – Installations
Donis Llago – montage, eating cut-up cable pieces
Carlos Ernesto Escalona Marti (from Matanzas) – photography portrait series “Gente de Cocodrilos”
Glexis Novoa (Cuba-USA) – miniature drawings using a horizon on columns in an abandoned bldg. on the Malecon
Los Carpinteros – “La Cosa Esta de Pinga” installation in advertising format (this is Cuban slang)
Neils Reyes – orange and yellow abstract portrait of woman’s face – $10,000
Studio: Calle 7 y 18, Miramar
Douglas Arguelles – “Pintura Sin Fe” (gusanos in a sea) – $15,000
Alexis Leyva Machado “Kcho” (Kacho) – series – Migration at sea w/ shark attack and skull – $80,000 (most expensive piece in the 2015 Biennial)
Hilary's Tracks 