Do you know the Malecón in Havana?
No? It doesn't matter. Imagine sitting by the sea, feeling the breeze, the waves crashing against the shore, and being able to walk along the coastline while enjoying different works of art.
Join me and let’s learn a little about the project: Behind the Wall.
Havana has been taken over by art since November 2024, thanks to the Biennial. One of the most anticipated spaces is when the artworks are placed along the coastline of the Malecón. This space is highly accepted at each Biennial, and every year, the participating artists surprise us.
History
This Biennial, my sister knew one of the girls involved in the project, and taking advantage of what we had done in 2024, we decided to discover this Cuban project.
The project made its debut on the Havana's Malecón in 2012, thanks to Juanito, an art lover and Havana enthusiast who had a vision that no one had before.
He turned the most visited place in Havana into an open-air gallery. Thus, Behind the Wall emerged to change the way we viewed the city, allowing us to appreciate a gallery from a maritime perspective (from the wall of the Malecón) that would evolve over the years.
Edition after Edition
They have literally broken the Malecón. Everyone looks forward to the Biennial to discover what madness (or rather, art) the Cuban and foreign artists will bring.
Since 2012, artists of the caliber of Roberto Fabelo and Rafael Domenech, among many others, have participated.
In 2021, Behind the Wall made headlines again.
They created an ice skating rink in the Caribbean climate. Of course, it wasn’t real ice, but a material that resembled it, and Cubans, especially children, enjoyed it as if they were on ice.
This is just a small part of all the craziness and joy that Behind the Wall has brought.
2024-2025
The 15th edition of the Biennial arrives, and Behind the Wall becomes even more prominent.
This time with the idea of expanding beyond the "wall". The project has been present on the island for over 10 years, and they believe it is necessary to evolve, giving birth to "Acera Sur."
With this "new project," they bring sculptures, installations, murals, and constructive projects that fuse art with the city.
During our visit, we counted more than 12 works, but I’ll share the ones we liked the most. The best possible content to thank you for reaching this point.
The Giant Head
This work is a collaboration between a Cuban artist and an American. Don’t even ask me about the meaning.
The explanation for the artwork didn’t appear anywhere, and I couldn’t find anything online. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying it.
What do you think it means?
I was struck by how detailed the gentleman's head was and how sweet the girl looked climbing that huge staircase. I liked this piece for its great details, but I think I would need to spend hours looking at it to find any meaning.
If you find one, share it; everything is valid here!
Chains
This piece doesn’t need much explanation.
Created by Manuel Galán, it depicts a mermaid made of chains, or according to the author, trapped in chains. It connects the mythological world with the reality many women face, trapped in their own lives. The mermaid’s head is intentionally omitted to avoid associating a female phenotype with the artwork.
In other words, any woman can be a mermaid trapped in the chains of life. It’s a piece with strong social critique behind it and is very easy to understand.
Habanidad
If you’ve traveled, you must have photos with the famous city name signs.
I have one in Varadero (not that I’ve traveled much outside the country).
Paradoxically, the capital of the country didn’t have its sign, and some artist decided to give it life.
The blue of the sea and the Caribbean sky, the same blue that the Industriales (the city’s baseball team) wear, is the protagonist of the work, along with a pattern highlighting elements of the city and Cuban life.
If we walk around the piece, we’ll see references to the Capitol, El Morro, the Virgen de Regla, the Industriales, and José Martí.
History, culture, and sports of a city that belongs to all Cubans but that the Habaneros carry wherever they go.
The house of the Almendrones, the Key to the Caribbean. The piece consists of 6 letters in the shade, facing the Malecón, which punishes the work with its waves, but they are 6 letters with a lot of history, feelings, and emotions.
Havana, a word that holds many stories and theories, represents each of us who live within the city. Hence the title of the work: Habanidad.
The Habanidad transforms style into art in this space.
My Experience
I went to discover this edition with my sister, and I recommend that if you’re nearby, don’t go alone. Go with your favorite person; art is appreciated differently when enjoyed with someone else.
You stop, take photos, or simply enjoy the art outdoors.
It’s a unique and different experience, available only until February of this year(2025). Some pieces will remain, as in previous occasions, but not all will do so.
If you can, take advantage and go!
The most negative part is that many works lack explanations, and while art is interpreted as one sees it, feels it, and lives it, this is another level.
I don’t know if the names disappeared or if it was premeditated, but honestly, I didn’t like that at all; it felt a bit uncomfortable. I hope this doesn’t happen in future years.
In these tumultuous times that the island is experiencing, Behind the Wall is a necessary and important project. When you stroll along the Malecón, you stop noticing the disorder, the collapses, and the sad reality behind these works, focusing solely on the art.
Behind the Wall will continue to exist and stand out as one of the fundamental pillars of the Biennial.
It’s not surprising that despite the few works visible this year, an expansion is beginning on the Acera Sur of the Malecón in Havana.
What do you think of this project? Is there something similar in your city? Tell me a bit about outdoor art in your city, and let me know what you think of this project!
Read you soon!
I left out some artworks, but I recommend you follow me if you want to see the rest; they will appear here soon. If you liked it, don’t miss it!
[dahpilot]
All images are mine
