Muraleando transformed the Lawton from a run-down section of town to an attractive environment. Along the streets you can find music, dancing, murals, sculptures, and acting. It is known for its art made of unusual objects and bright colors. Some of these objects include tin, traffic signs, cans, fabric, foam, and marble. The purpose of the neighborhood is to bring art to ordinary people. The other purpose was to take an area covered in trash, and essentially do a “trash to treasure” type upgrade, making trash into art.
Muraleando contains murals of common Cubans like we learned about in the last module. These murals decorate the streets. Some of these murals are of other famous artists, like Teresita Fernandez who was a songwriter. The murals aren’t usually political by nature, however the area was transformed as a way to cope with the economic downfall after the fall of the Soviet Union, so there may be some discreet political messages or analogies in some of the murals. Other art includes pop art, where murals are made with different materials and rocks, thus making the mural have texture. The area also includes a restaurant, El Mirador de Acosta, that costs around 7 CUC and has live music shows. Sometimes, there are vendors selling crafts throughout the streets, like handcrafted jewelry.
The area’s headquarters is in an old water tank. Inside are galleries and workshops. Recitals and performances take place on the stage. There is also a dance floor, bar, and cafeteria. There is always a band playing, and there is the option to buy merchandise from the band. Often, others can be heard singing or practicing their instruments. The project has been funded from the beginning through local artists, community members, and visitors. There are also lessons for the children of Cuba here. Seeing the murals itself is a free experience, but there are options to buy artwork, crafts, and food. It is open year-round, all day, but the headquarters is only open during business hours. Artists and vendors are there at their own discretion. The nearby restaurants are typically open from nine in the morning to eleven at night.
The center also has a message about ecology, conservation, and the environment. The center is located on an abandoned water reservoir that was filled with trash and damaging the environment. Now, it is kept clean, used to help the economy, and features many recycled objects and murals of animals. It truly looks like a beautiful place and I am excited to visit.
Muraleando contains murals of common Cubans like we learned about in the last module. These murals decorate the streets. Some of these murals are of other famous artists, like Teresita Fernandez who was a songwriter. The murals aren’t usually political by nature, however the area was transformed as a way to cope with the economic downfall after the fall of the Soviet Union, so there may be some discreet political messages or analogies in some of the murals. Other art includes pop art, where murals are made with different materials and rocks, thus making the mural have texture. The area also includes a restaurant, El Mirador de Acosta, that costs around 7 CUC and has live music shows. Sometimes, there are vendors selling crafts throughout the streets, like handcrafted jewelry.
The area’s headquarters is in an old water tank. Inside are galleries and workshops. Recitals and performances take place on the stage. There is also a dance floor, bar, and cafeteria. There is always a band playing, and there is the option to buy merchandise from the band. Often, others can be heard singing or practicing their instruments. The project has been funded from the beginning through local artists, community members, and visitors. There are also lessons for the children of Cuba here. Seeing the murals itself is a free experience, but there are options to buy artwork, crafts, and food. It is open year-round, all day, but the headquarters is only open during business hours. Artists and vendors are there at their own discretion. The nearby restaurants are typically open from nine in the morning to eleven at night.
The center also has a message about ecology, conservation, and the environment. The center is located on an abandoned water reservoir that was filled with trash and damaging the environment. Now, it is kept clean, used to help the economy, and features many recycled objects and murals of animals. It truly looks like a beautiful place and I am excited to visit.
Would anyone like to visit Muraleando with me? Are there any other art places you’d like to attend? Are there any pieces or artists in particular that you are excited to see in person?
Muraleando seems like such a cool place- I would love to visit with you! I like the message about revamping the old with new art. It reminds me of some of the works by street artists we learned about: like Yulier P. who painted crumbling pieces of Havana's walls with his alien like figures. I've been really interested in the street art of Cuba and this seems like a place that almost represents it in a less subtle way; it's like a celebration of street art. This also seems like a place that embraces the art of Cuba in not just murals, but as you mentioned, dance and music and food. I think it would be really fun to go to!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit the Muraleando with you! I love that the community decided to clean up a place with trash and turn it into good. I feel the US could learn from that and maybe do something like that. I can't wait to see the art made out of unusual objects. When I've traveled before I have sometimes found the best art in similar places to something like this. There is not a specific art place I am interested in going I am just interested and going to as much as I can in the time we are there. I am excited to see the street are because it all has a meaning where when I see street art here it is more of tagging something then creating art.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThis place sounds amazing! I would love to go with you. I feel like since there is music, dancing, sculptures, paintings, and so much more that you can fully immerse yourself in the Cuban culture. What's even more interesting is we don't have anything like this in the United States. It's amazing how far back in time the murals go and what their meaning is behind the murals.