Finally, out of box!  (Photo by Matthew Barney) Big things are happening between the art scenes of Cuba and USA! It's called "Chelsea visits Havana" presented by Fundacion Amistad. It was organized by Alberto Magnan and Dara Metz (of Magnan Projects). This is the first U.S. based exhibition to travel directly from the United…
Chelsea Visits Havana
Campo Adentro / Susan Bank
Yet another beautiful book has been released on Cuba. You know how much I can't stand to see those generic Cuban images coming out of the country with 1950's pastel cars and ladies with cigars in her mouths. Obviously these images exist in Cuba, its just that I like it when photographers dig deeper, and…
Obama’s New Telecom Game with Cuba
April 13th, 2009- The Obama administration said today that it was changing some U.S. policies toward Cuba, hoping to, among other things, "promote the freer flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people." The news could create some major changes with regard to cellphones, computers and broadband in Cuba. The administration proposes to…
New US Rules for Cuba Travel
(Jose Marti Airport. Photographed by Estevan Oriol for East of Havana) Behold! President Barack Obama has eased travel restrictions to Cuba with a policy change signed into law this month. The few Florida travel agents that booked Cuban flights now have phones ringing off the hook. Some agents claim the demand is so big that…
The Death of a Bureaucrat
This past Christmas, I went home to Miami where one of my parents always schools me on an old Cuban flick. Here's one worth searching out. The Death of a Bureaucrat is directed by one of Cuba's most famous Directors called Tomas Gutierrez Alea, the same guy who directed Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberries & Chocolate)…
Beyond History
Beyond History is a new photo book on Cuba. The collection of portraits were taken in Havana from 1998 to 2006. It's Poetic Documentary vs Dirty Realism. The book is layed out in the spirit of a Cuban-Peter-Beard-style Journal, with snapshots and scribbles rubbed up against each other. The Photos, Artwork, Collages, and Texts are…
BENICIO as CHE
It's been almost a decade getting this puppy out the gates. I've had my eye on this project for some time -- back when there were 3 competing projects in Hollywood -- Terrence Malick, Brett Ratner, and Steven Soderbergh. Brett's project fell off. Then Terrence Malicks script was going to directed by Soderbergh. I dont…
Guantanamo + Obama
President-elect Obama has made a vow to close the US Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay. Tons of human-rights organizations and civil libertarians are cheering hard right now. It does however post some tough questions. Closing the prison is a "do-able" task. The problem is more about what to do with the prisoners? Some Obama advisors…
Cuban National Anthem
I'm always a fan of how art direction, propaganda, and music can be combined to heighten emotion. If you've never heard the Cuban National Anthem, here ya go! J
Soy Cuba + Boogie Nights
Remember Boogie Nights' long pool scene? The continuous "one-take" shot that patiently maneuvered through the poolside, through various characters? The last image being a hot babe getting up from her chair as the camera follows her diving into the water. Paul Thomas Anderson was inspired by a classic Cuban film called Soy Cuba. The film…