It’s not an exaggeration to say that a trip to Havana often leads to the studio of Héctor Frank. The Cuban artist’s open workplace and the dozens—if not hundreds—of works within speak to the material restrictions of the nation and the creativity birthed from it. Frank often welcomes guests and shares his insights, but his decades-long career stretches beyond Cuba and into galleries, fairs and …
The landscape in Havana, Cuba’s capital city, tells two different stories: the first paints a picture of candy-colored buildings and sidewalk salsa dancing; the second shows crumbling facades and a glimpse of the city’s scars after two independence wars, a US trade embargo and 50 years of strained foreign relations. Despite this juxtaposition of beauty and destruction, one thing remains: this city feels incredibly alive. On …
At LA’s Over The Influence, artist and designer Ron Arad is showcasing his knack for working with metals. His show CUBA Working Title (on now through 28 October) centers on cars crushed like pressed flowers—hulking machines reduced to 12-centimeter-thick sheets of metal. The concept was inspired by American cars in Cuba and the intertwining of their histories, from geographic and design (and even political) perspectives. Fantastically maintaining the integrity of …
