13th Havana Biennial
13ma Bienal de La Habana, Cuba
Kcho Foundation, Havana Foto: M.Mirecki
The Havana Biennial was established in 1984 dedicated to artists of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since the second Biennial of 1986, artists from Africa, Asia and the Middle East have also participated. This tradition, which has remained during each of the subsequent editions, turned Havana into an important venue for the gathering and exhibition of ‘non-Western’ art.
The Curatorial Team of the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art has announced the dates for the long-delayed 13th Havana Biennial (Bienal de La Habana) which will now be held from April 12 to May 12, 2019. The theme will be “The Construction of the Possible” which seems to be recalling that the event was delayed indefinitely citing damage from Hurricane Irma. One can be grateful to the Cuban artists and art lovers who revived the Havana Biennial four years after its last presentation in May 2015.
For those wishing to visit the 13th Havana Biennial, Cuba Welcome has created a comprehensive programme which includes studio and gallery visits, lectures with Curators and other interactive experiences.
Kcho Foundation, Havana Foto: M.Mirecki
Cubawelcome Art Tours
For planning trips for art lovers, art specialists and arts organizations, Cuba Welcome offers private art tours, tour groups, or just you or your family and friends. For the Biennial, we are offering a group trip which anyone may join (maximum 12 people). This trip is legal for US travellers and our US office will organize the OFAC licence which permits US visitors to travel to Cuba, the visas to enter Cuba and all accommodation, transport, guides and most meals and entrances to Art studios and events during the Biennial. Our extensive accommodation network allows you to choose from charming Cuban guest houses (casas particulares), 4/5-Star hotels, private mansions, sea-view penthouses, and more. Transportation is via private chauffeured cars and vans or luxury coaches tour buses and we can also book restaurants, entertainment and nightlife.
Cuba Welcome’s curators and specialists will oversee every detail. We begin with a privately curated tour of the Cuban collection of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Then we spend the afternoon visiting artists in their private studios. If you are interested in purchasing Cuban art, our curators will help you choose the right works from the right artists, and we can take care of the packaging, export licences and shipping of artworks to your country or you can take them with you.
Now is the time to experience Cuba’s dynamic art scene. Contact us: mike@cubawelcome.com
We will show you the best Art in Cuba!
This year’s Biennial is special as it is the first to hold exhibitions outside of Havana. The capital will host over thirty spaces dedicated solely to the art in the Biennial including a three kilometre stretch of Linea avenue in Vedado which will have pop-up expositions throughout. Linea is a bustling thoroughfare connecting the neighbourhoods of Miramar and Vedado, ending at the Malecon (sea front). It is home to many theatres including Carlos Acosta’s dance company, jazz spots and a variety of restaurants and bars. These cultural spots will open their doors to Biennial visitors focusing on painting, books, arts and theatre. The street will be painted in colours and new benches will be put in for visitors to chill out and appreciate art.
“Behind the Wall” – Behind the Malecon, the one kilometer stretch from Maceo Park to Prado Boulevard will house over fifty artists and galleries.
Pabellon Cuba, the cultural centre in the middle of Vedado, will have ten artists exhibiting architectural shows. The City’s Historic center, Old Havana (La
Habana Vieja), will have secret pop up galleries throughout. “El Taller Chullima” – a space close to the famous Fabrica del Arte will be curated by Wilfredo Prieto and merge together various mediums for an artistic space for the ages. The Museum of Fine Arts will have new galleries in the central lobby part of the museum. Pinar del Rio town, 2 hours plus west of Havana, will showcase a children’s art centre. Matanzas city, which is located between Havana and the Varadero beaches, will have a café designed by American artist Magdalena Campos Cienfuegos, a charming neo classical style city, will have a platform on the water called “Mar Adentro”. 4 visual artists and 2 architects will create an artistic space on the old dock where boats used to come in to the port. Camaguey, the city gateway to the eastern part of Cuba (Oriente), will have a video-focused gallery. Un lugar en el campo (‘a place in the countryside’, near the national highway) will have a kilometre stretch of pavement in the form of a figure 8 for visitors to walk, talk, sit, recreate and appreciate art. There will be benches and trees.
HOW TO ATTEND THE HAVANA BIENNALE
In order to navigate the large festival and gain access to behind-the-scenes cocktails, dinner parties and exhibits, Cuba Welcome agency offers personal encounters and workshops with artists and musicians, along with other special experiences.
Contact mike@cubawelcome.com to start planning your trip.
HAVANA BIENNAL, APRIL 22-27, 2019 PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
This travel program provides a unique opportunity for Art lovers, Art Galleries and Institutions, students to learn about Cuban architecture, visual arts, dance, and music. Each day there are guided tours that include visits to restored architectural sites (or those in the process of restoration); or to studios and exhibits in public spaces and private galleries to talk with contemporary artists. The Biennial also features artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas and encourages not only traditional artists to show art, but also the most exciting and experimental artistic projects in alternative places all around the city. According to poet, critic, and architect, Nelson Herrera Ysla, a member of the Wifredo Lam Centre of Contemporary Art curatorial team, “the purpose is to occupy public spaces in the city, where the presence of the work of visual artists join dancers, actors, musicians, and architects, all integrated to make moving through the city look like one constant cultural event.”
ITINERARY
DAY 1
For US visitors, the flight from Tampa to Havana will take an hour. For UK visitors we recommend the direct Virgin flight from Gatwick airport. Other European destinations can fly with Air France, Iberia or KLM. Meet and Greet at Havana Jose Marti Airport with our bilingual tour guide who will be with us every day throughout our stay. Our first tour includes a panoramic tour of Havana, followed by lunch at the hotel Nacional, the iconic 1930’s building (now part of Cuba’s Patrimony) which was built by the architects of the Breakers Hotel in Florida. You will have free time to relax before we gather for a cocktail on the roof terrace of a hotel in old Havana in the company of some invited people from Cuba’s Art world followed by a welcome dinner.
DAY 2
Breakfast followed by a presentation of Contemporary Art in Cuba and the 13th Havana Biennial by a Cuban art expert. Afterwards, we go to Old Havana to learn about restoration results during the last 30 years. Founded in 1519, UNESCO declared Old Havana a “Universal Patrimony of Humanity.” We will have a walking tour of the old quarter accompanied by our guide and visit two of the five plazas in Old Havana as well as walking along the typical narrow streets of colonial Havana. After lunch we participate in the Biennial activities. You will have free time to relax before we will gather for dinner this evening at a paladar, a Cuban private restaurant.
DAY 3
We spend the morning at The National Museum of Fine Arts. The museum features the Cuban Art Collection (and Biennial exhibits), the most comprehensive display of artwork spanning nearly three centuries. After lunch, we will attend Biennial activities. This evening, you may wish to join the group for dinner or search out one of Havana’s fine eateries and bars and maybe visit one of the many jazz clubs or salsa places in Havana.
DAY 4
We participate in Biennial activities. In the evening, we visit the famous Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) Cuban Arts Factory. FAC is the initiative of renowned Cuban musician X-Alfonso. The groundbreaking project uses nightlife as a platform for numerous cultural activities, art exhibits, a dance party (or jazz concert), even a film screening—all in the same venue on the same night.
DAY 5
We visit the Biennial exhibit at La Cabaña Fortress followed by lunch; then we tour the exhibits on Linea Street and along the Malecon—two main art venues in public spaces, art centers, and the Malecon parks. We end our adventure with a farewell dinner. You may also choose to say “hasta luego, Cuba,” by taking in a unique Cuban experience at the Tropicana Cabaret.
DAY 6
Transfer to José Martí International Airport OR continue your stay in Cuba and visit Cienfuegos and Trinidad!
Includes
- Access pass to all Biennial activities
- Ground transportation in luxury air-conditioned bus
- Five nights at Hotel or Cuban Guest house in Havana
- 16 meals (7B, 5L, 4D)
- Guided walking tour of Havana
- Admission to all sites on the itinerary
- Tips for driver, Cuban tour guide, luggage handling at accommodations and servers
- Lecture by a Cuban art curator
- Bilingual Cuban tour guide all the way
- Bilingual program leader traveling with the group
- Orientation before departure
- Visa for UK departing passengers
- OFAC treasury licence and visa for visitors departing from the USA direct to Cuba.
Not Included
- Flights. Virgin Atlantic is recommended from the UK. For US visitors, $250 - $350 (estimate) roundtrip airfare to Havana from Tampa on Southwest Airlines, flights from Houston, NYC, Atlanta, Miami, LA and others.
- Airfare tickets must be purchased individually (health insurance for Cuba is included in the airfare)
- Cuban tourist visa for visitors not departing from the UK or the US.
- One dinner and one lunch
- Optional evening entertainment activities
- Gratuities for hotel maids
- Overnight accommodations before departure
- Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
Prices
- US VISITORS PROGRAM COST: SINGLE ROOM: $2950 PER PERSON; DOUBLE ROOM: $2,700 PER PERSON (includes OFAC license and Visa)
- UK PROGRAM COST:- SINGLE: £1980 PER PERSON; DOUBLE: £1,750 PER PERSON
- REST OF WORLD PROGRAM COST SINGLE: Euro: 2,200 PER PERSON;
DOUBLE: Euro: 1930 P.P.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Bank Transfer
Deposit (First Payment) for Registration Documents Deadline 50% (per person) due on booking, 50% (balance per person) of Program Cost 40 days before departure.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Deposit: 50% on booking
- Refund on deposit if advised 60 days before departure: 50%; after 60 days 0%
- Refund on cancellation of total amount if advised 30 days before departure 25%.
If you have questions or need help with the reservations, please contact mike@cubawelcome.com
Fabrica de Arte, Havana Foto: M.Mirecki