ARCANE TENDER - Irene Rogan

Arcane Tender funded travel research for an art exchange between Cuban and UK artists

Irene Rogan - January 2018

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1 Arcane Tender

1

CUBA 2 Havana

2

3 Cienfuegos

4

4 Trinidad

5

5 Caiberian

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6 Collaborations

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7 Cultural Events

8 Arcane Tender final event

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10

UK 8 Finding Cuba

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9 Exhibiting Artists

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10 Artworks

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11 Exhibition Open snd comments

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12 Summary, Media, Links and Credits

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1

1 CUBA - INTRODUCTION ARCANE TENDER

Havana from Pablo Massip’s home

ARCANE TENDER IN CUBA British artist Irene Rogan was provided with a grant for

Curator José Manuel Noceda Fernández of

Arcane Tender, a proposal to travel to Cuba to meet

Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo

artists, network and experience Cuban culture, and to

Lam agreed to a meeting to discuss the project,

explore ideas about an art exchange between Cuban

attending events at Museo Nacional de Bellas

and UK artists. The travel research included visiting

Artes and Fabrica, Havana or at the Maqueta

Havana and rural towns in Central Cuba; Cienfuegos,

de Trinidad for poetry readings, visual art and mu-

Trinidad, Remedios and Caibarien over a period of one

sical performances. There were traditional events

month during October 2017.

which took place outdoors.

The visit took place just after Hurricane Irma had

Meeting Cuba’s creative talent included painters,

passed over Cuba, the experience of being in Cuba at

film makers, photographers, installation artists, so-

this time was both difficult and inspiring in observing

cially engaged graffiti artists, poets, writers and musi-

the resilient Cubans getting on with their lives whilst

cians. Later on, a series of collaborative activities

clearing up. Many resources were very low: petrol,

took place in Havana resulting in the production of

electricity outages, water reserves, fresh vegetables

new work ; photography, painting, poetry, drawing

and eggs to name a few.

and film. A final event took place at Irusla Gallery to

Numerous cultural events were taking place because of ‘Dias de Arte Cubano’ a week-long celebration of art and culture presenting excellent opportunities for sampling Cuban culture and networking. For example

discuss an international exchange. Cuban art is currently highly collectible around the globe, it was both trusting and generous of the collaborating artists to submit their work for a micro-exhibition in the UK Finding Cuba.

2 2 CUBA - HAVANA - STUDIO VISTIS Arcane Tender is a project aimed at meeting Cuban artists, experiencing Cuban culture primarily to discuss the possibilities for an artist’s exchange between Cuban and UK artists. On arrival in Havana a series of visits to artists studios was set up by Claudia Laguna, a parttime lecturer based at the Ludwig Foundation (The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba is a nongovernmental, non-profit institution with the mission of protecting and promoting Cuban artists and the work of Cuba’s emerging artists). Claudia was well placed for introductions to numerous artists at their studios in Havana, scheduling travel arrangements to Central Cuba (a solo journey) and assisting with locating accommodation. The following images and details are a small taste from a broad selection of the artists and art from Havana and Central Cuba as well as cultural events that were happening at the time. (further information can be found on a dedicated at Facebook Arcane Tender Page).

‘Lenguaje’ (Language) C-Print

ADONIS FLORES BETANCOURT

3 2 CUBA - HAVANA STUDIO VISITS

Ricardo Miguel Hernández

Ricardo uses various media that have a common denominator: an ongoing investigation of sociopolitical contexts based on his own experiences. This allows him to approach that which is “unlimited” in a way where the result can have multiple meanings. His work creates a subtle flow of information born of lo narratives and metaphors, be they photographs or audio-visual works.

Studio and Gallery Vedado, Havana

Adonis Flores

Adonis Flores (pictured outside his home) is known for his 'Camouflages' series of cheeky self-portrait photographs and videos. Language is almost literally a tongue-incheek example of the artist's humorous/tragic commentary on military service.

Frank Goonzalez

Architecture-inspired paintings taken from images on postcards or digital images from the internet. ‘These works depict well-known familiar landmark architecture from around the world and they are imbued with a sense of nostalgia, partially hidden images behind cloud or faded scratched surfaces. They are concerned with the sense of longing’.

Lives and works in Havana

Reinaldo Cid

Reinaldo Cid (pictured with Claudia Laguna) is an up coming international installation artist, based in Havana. ‘I am interested in proposing a point of contact between two parallel zones of racial discourse— the black person as object of desire and the black person assumed to be a work engine. The images point to the subtle relationships that emerge between sexual power and brute force’. Studio Instituto Superior de Arte

Marianela Ozorco

Marienala Ozorco pictured at her home surrounded by her own and her partner’s artworks. ‘My work is a personal inquiry into the states of rupture and equilibrium present in nature as in society.

Lives and works in Havana

The ceramic studio at the Instituto Sperior de Arte is open to visitors and there is a huge collection of ceramic products from plates to artefacts created by numerous ceramicists over the years and are for sale.

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3 CENTRAL CUBA - CIENFUEGOS

CIENFUEGOS Plaza Jose Marti

Jose Antonio Montes ‘Tooth Fairy’

An artist’s collective known as the ‘Poco Bonito Project’, is seen as an alternative cultural space, with street art and other forms of political art and activism run by a group of young artists who are passionate about their work It includes a socially engaged graffiti artist the ‘Tooth Fairy’ Jose Antonio Montes.

The community projects are carried out in the very poorest outlying areas of Cienfuegos. Jose works primarily with children and encourages them to join in creating his graffiti wall paintings. Unlike in the UK he needs to seek permissions from the local authority and police to ‘honour the buildings and only

Luis Alberto (Centre)

use unwanted walls. This work is offering the children hope and something for their imaginations’, and of course enabling him to keep producing his art. He hopes to work with anyone who can help him and with a supply the paint.

Luis Alberto trained as a professional engineer and like many of the Cubans from the artistic community in Cuba employs professional skills in producing artwork and was equally passionate about drawing and painting and successfully sells his work, currently developing a more conceptual approach to work.

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4 CENTRAL CUBA - TRINIDAD

Central Cuba Landscape around Trinidad during a day trip

Musician at the Maqueta de Trinidad

(not uncommon throughout Cuba).

Fredaslinda Gonzalez Portieles Freda is a well known Cuban poet and owns a restaurant bar and casa particular (bed and breakfast) in Trinidad. Freda also hosted the visit by providing introductions to many artists who in the main were producing artisan craftworks. A number of these artists had previously worked as fully qualified architects or engineers

A special evening took place at the Maqueta de Trinidad (a public building where a permanent model of Trinidad streets can be viewed). The event was part of ‘Dias de Arte Cubano’.

El Fantasma Pena Azul (the blue shadow) was a celebration of local artist, poets (including Freda), musicians and writers.

It was notable that the evening was not publicised on mainstream tourist itineraries.

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5 CUBA - CAIBARIEN

THE UNEAC BUILDING CAIBARIEN (with hired bicycle and bag on the right )

Caiberian is described as a city is situated on the North coast of Las Villas Province. Sadly there was evidence of the very severe hit from Hurricane Irma.

An accidental meeting with Josef who is an artist and wife Diane whilst asking directions to an art house decorated solely with found materials from the beach (no longer open), led to visiting the UNEAC building (La Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba). UNEAC is a public place for showcasing local artists and writers and there was an exhibition being installed.

The President Julio Cesar Alonso happened to be in the gallery and Frank Rodríguez Viamonte, director of the channel Centro Norte Televisión de Caibarién, who recently won the Grand Prize with his documentary. Both were very interested in Arcane Tender project and provided contact details for future opportunities at their gallery Each year the Caibarrense join the cultural institutions with their initiatives to make the ‘Dias de Arte Cubano’, ‘one of the most important events of the year with distinctive displays but which needed to be done differently because of the effects left by the passage of the hurricane.’

The sculpture of the iconic Moro Crab by artist Florencio Gelabert (1904-1995) at the entrance to the town represents crab providing a key industry for Caibarien, none was available at this time.

l to r: Josef artist, Julio Alonso. Frank Rodriguez

l to r: Julio Alonso and Diane

The Moro Crab

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6 CUBA - COLLABORATIONS HAVANA

‘Finding Cuba’ Photograph: Irene Rogan collaborative project with Ricardo Hernandez pictured

FINDING CUBA During the previous visits to artists studios, I met artist Ricardo Hernandez and saw examples of his photography and dramatic videos. This led to inviting him to work with me on a site in Miramar, a residential district of Havana and with many embassy buildings, one or two hotels and close-by shores.

I had visited the site as soon as I arrived, it was close to where I was staying. There are a number of disused swimming pools and natural swimming pools and abandoned buildings that had once housed the National Swimming Centre, now derelict. Using this site as a starting point for a collaborative work made within a very short time, gave a refreshing spontaneity and need for quick decisions.

We created a performance video with the help of Howar a casual security worker on site (this is to be shown in the next exhibition) and a number of photographic works.

Top Mal Tiempo Ricardo Hernandez, middle Broken Lines Irene Rogan, bottomCollaborators: Ricardo Hernandez and Howar

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7 CUBA - CULTURE HAVANA - FABRICA INTERNATIONAL OPEN

FABRICA, HAVANA OPENING NIGHT

FABRICA FAC Building towers above Vedado, Havana FABRICA, Opening night for international and local art and international artists event. This is a huge space recently added to by architect Ernesto JimĂŠnez with recycled cargo containers.

Fabrica is dedicated to the exhibition and development of contemporary photography, video art and installations. The space works as a studio-gallery, welcoming the youngest talents together with recognized artists of the visual arts. An intellectual nexus for art performance, video, live music, art expos, fashion shows and invigorating debate in this converted cooking-oil factory in Vedado.

Most of Havana culture society attend these events offering a perfect opportunity to meet artists and cultural leaders. The directors X - Alfonso, Enrique Rottenberg, Christina Ricardo discussed a possible future inclusion of the Arcane Tender at Fabrica venue for local artists during the visit.

From top: Enrique Rottenberg, Ludmila and Nelson and Rio

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7 CUBA - CULTURE HAVANA - POST IT 4 AT THREE GALLERIES

COLLAGE HABANA One of the three galleries participating in POST IT 4 2017

Selection of artworks from the three galleries in POST IT 4 TOP l to r: , Yangtse Clemente installation ‘De la series fragmentos’, Andy Leon painting ‘Beef’, Bottom l to r Roger Toledo Pico ‘Pasije sin horizonte ‘, Luis Enrique Milan - ceramic ‘Tarde para no creerseolo’.

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8 CUBA - ARCANE TENDER FINAL EVENT

Main Irsula Studio and Gallery, Havana Inset :Arian Irsula Irsula Gallery is a very smart artist-run contemporary gallery and studio space in Havana. Arian Irsula, Andrey Quintana, Josuhe Pagliery and Adislen Reyes coowners, worked together in a collaborative effort, with other Havana artists and Irene Rogan to put on a final event for Arcane Tender on the last day of the visit. This was to provide an opportunity for artists to meet other participating artists and to discuss ideas about an international art exchange between Cuban and UK artists. This was followed with a presentation and talk about Irene Rogan’s art practice, having seen Cuban artists artworks and spaces.

Afterwards, artists, during the previous two weeks, had been invited to submit their artwork in response to the Arcane Tender theme of exchange and brought their work for collection This was I an experimental approach to an idea for a micro-exhibition

by Cuban artists and the collaborative work, to be transported to the UK in a suitcase. This collection of work forms the Finding Cuba micro-exhibition.

Top and Bottom some of the Arcane Tender collaborators meeting with Irene Rogan as she opens the discussion about international art exchange on the last day of the project.

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3 UK FINDING CUBA - UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

Not long after returning from Cuba with a suitcase full of Cuban art for a microart exhibition which came out of Arcane Tender collaborative activities, a search began for an available venue at very short notice to exhibit the work.

Unexpectedly the University of Nottingham were able to help. Working with the Head of Department Tony Kapcia and Dr Isobel Story, the building manager and many of the staff associated with the Hennessy Collection

at the Centre for Research on Cuba, where the work was located, an exhibition was mounted. The University Graphics Department produced a poster, invitations, social media and website links were sent to relevant networks including the Cuban Embassy in London.

Finding Cuba was a surprising success, given the how long the show lasted and an artwork was sold. A number of Nottingham artists helped.

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION ARTISTS Pablo Massip

Laura Carralero

Marianela Ozorco

Darwin Estacio

Fredaslinda Portieles

Adonis Flores

Ricardo Hernandez

Irene Rogan

Enrique Rottenberg

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION ARTWORKS 1 Laura Carralero Untitled - Oil painting on canvas Carrelero is a painter whose theme is inspired by architecture. Currently she is focussing on the work of the great masters from the Middle Ages and the strength of their images and their use of religious iconography. In observing the great power of these works ideas and space, they are as objects that have immense symbolic content, influences which are reflected in her work.

Darwin Estacio, Unititled - Oil paint on Canvas This painting follows Estacio’s work as a pictorial investigation, to represent people and the human passions or drama. The imagery is often taken from mainstream films, a specific micro -moment were something is going to happen or has happened.

Adonis Flores Betancourt Interferencia - Original Photographic Print Flores exhibits his work internationally in Europe and USA. He draws from his own experience of military service in Angola, where many Cubans were sent to fight for communism. The tradition of the dual nature of artist is at play, simultaneously seeing him as a prophet and jester, inspiring laughter and tears through the tragically comedic images and circumstances.

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION ARTWORKS 2 Ricardo Miguel Hernández Hernandez studied under the prominent and controversial Cuban artist and activist Tania Bruguera, who now lives in exile. Hernandez produces photographic and video work characterized by the use of diverse media and the persistent exploration of the socio-political context and personal experience.

Mal Tiempo 2017 (Bad Weather) Pablo Massip Director, cinematographer has numerous awards and distinctions for his work worldwide. Máscaras 2017( masks ).

'Throughout history and in every country we express ourselves through masks. Everyone, from wakStill from Máscaras by Pablo Massip work-in-progress

ing up until we go to bed uses masks but children do not use masks they have no power because in the child's world masks don't fit, this will last only for a moment'.

Marianela Ozorco ‘A journey of a thousand miles’ mixed media earth and graphite on paper 2017. A celebration of having quite recently given birth.

Orozco completed a Licentiate in Philology from the Universidad Central de Las Villas, Cuba. Her usual work is noted for the challenging performances, conceptual interventions that are no less profound, but are serene and quietly contemplative. Over the past four years her performances and exhibitions have taken place nationally and internationally, the National Salon, Havana, Mexico, the Ludwig Forum Germany and Miami USA.

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION ARTWORKS 3

Enrique Rottenberg, Photograph er filmmaker (image Fabrica exhibitionprinted onto coasters) Rottenberg has exhibited internationally in Berlin and with shows in Australia, Argentina and Amsterdam, the U.S. and Canada. “The photographic work of Enrique Rottenberg may be considered controversial, satirical, manic-melancholic, lewd, empathic, alarming...The reasons behind the attraction that it causes, seem to be gathered in a certain way by a disturbing oddness, that the hidden, has come to light."

A J Twist Rottenberg has a Wikipedia The Poetry of Fredeslinda González Portieles

Lluvia de sombras

Shadow rain

Esa lluvia es una sombra que me despierta, aún espero en aquel despeñadero si alguien lejano te nombra.

Intenta lanzar la alfombra que la madrugada siente su ofredad. Es una fuente tu mirada en el camino y has de llenar peregrino, con sudor toda tu frente.

This rain is a shadow That wakes me up, still I wait on that precipice If someone far away mentions you.

I try to throw off the rug That the early morning Feels its offering. It’s a source Your look in the road That you, pilgrim, have filled All your forehead with sweat.

He sufrido: Cuánta pena al borde del precipicio, tu voz fue solo el inicio de mi tortura y condena.

Trepida la noche, llena de esta fuerte desmesmesura todo su cansancio augura en soledad, desenfreno su vestigio, y en mi seno cruje el alba en mi locura.

I have suffered: how much pain At the edge of the precipice Your voice was only the beginning Of my torture and condemnation.

The night is hesitant, full In this strong disgust All of your exhaustion augurs

Fredaslinda Gonzalez Portieles

Translated by Dr Isabel Story

In solitude, abandon Your trace, and in my chest The soul creaks in my madness.

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION COLLABORATIONS

Still: ‘Cuba Libre ‘ Video performance Director Irene Rogan, Camera Ricardo Hernandez and Howar Acosta

In Miramar, a district in Havana, there are a number of disused and broken swimming pools and buildings further ruined by Hurricane Irma and it became the site for a short video.

Howar Acosta was working on site as a casual security and good for a walk on part. Photgraphic documentary work accompanies the video and will be shown in the next venue.

Below Left: Ricardo Hernandez Mal Tiempo (Bad Weather ) series Right: Irene Rogan ’ Finding Cuba ‘

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION COLLABORATIONS CTD

‘All the Yesterdays’ the red boxes selected from the archive containing the Cuban Granma publication

ALL THE YESTERDAYS installation by Irene Rogan and Dr Isobel Story - Hennessy Collection at the Centre for Cuban Research

The situating of ‘Finding Cuba’ exhibition in the Hennessey Collection housed at the University of Nottingham inspired a further spontaneous contribution to the project through a collaboration between Irene Rogan and Dr Isabel Story, who curates the archive.

In an installation entitled ‘All The Yesterdays’, three red boxes (selected from the collection’s extensive archive of Cuban periodicals) contain ‘Granma’ newspapers collected by the Foreign Office attaché. The newspapers contain an account of recent Cuban history and, in this particular selection, moments from a period of cultural change in Cuba are juxtaposed with the contemporary artworks by Cuban artists. These artists, whilst being inextricably influenced by their history, attempt to move on into an era of dramatic change, where cultural identity is both referenced and re-examined. The installation brings historic fact and artistic endeavour into a close dialogical interface, reflecting past and present.

Each sheet of paper protruding from beneath the box summarises the key cultural moments recorded in the newspapers in that box and available on Arcane Tender page for the project.

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3 UK - FINDING CUBA EXHIBITION EVENT AND COMMENTS FROM THE VISITORS BOOK ‘Marvellous exhibition, please do it again!’

Fernie Dewshurst

An interesting place that I knew nothing of exciting to discover;) Listening to Irene talkng about her experiences.

Monica Stoppleman Professor Kapcia and Dr Isabel Story key collaborators

‘Very glad to catch this thank you and good to know about the archive too!’

Anna Dixon

Very interesting display great for Nottingham!

Prof Terry Shave

Fantastic , wonderful to see this

S. Bredon

Great work Irene such interesting project and exhibition Really well done and fascinating collection of the archive!

Denise Weston

CREDITS Photo credits Front Cover: Ricardo Hernandez | Contents: Irene Rogan | p1 Introduction: Irene Rogan | p2: Havana Studio Visits Adonis Flores Betancourt |Irene Rogan | p3: Havana Studio Visits Caludia Laguna, Irene Rogan | p4: Central Cuba Cienfugos Irene Rogan, | p5: Central Cuba Tinidad Irene Rogan and poster by Freda Portieles| p6: Central Cuba Caiberian Irene Rogan and Google image| p7: Cuba Collaborations Irene Rogan and Ricardo Henandez| p8: Cuba Culture Havana Fabrica Irene Rogan images of venue and photographs of exhibited works, Fabrica in-house, | p9: Cuba Culture Havana POST IT 4 Irene Rogan | p10: Arcane Tender final event in Cuba Arian Irsula of Irsula Gallery | p11 UK Finding Cuba Nottingham University Graphics department| p12 UK Finding Cuba artists Each artist produced their own profile image |13 UK Finding Cuba Artworks photographs of artwork Denise Weston |UK Finding Cuba Artworks Ricardo Henandez, Irene Rogan, Denise Weston | UK Finding Cuba Artworks Irene Rogan, Dr Isobel Story poetry trans| UK Finding Cuba Collaborations Ricardo Hernandez, Irene Rogan | UK Finding Cuba Collaborations Irene Rogan | UK Finding Cuba Open Event and commentary Irene Rogan, Monica Stoppleman

With very special thanks to the University of Nottingham, the Centre for Research on Cuban Culture, the artists that helped with the exhibition in the UK: Paul Wilson, Anna Dixon, Denise Weston, Stephen Craighill, Toby Jennings, Monica Stoppleman, all the artists in Cuba and Central Cuba I had the privilege to meet and work with and those who trusted me with their artworks listed in this document and Peter and Helen for all the transport.

Wing of a Dodge owned by the landlord in Remedios,

copyrightŠirenerogan2018