Taking part in the Alternative #00 Havana Biennial

Nonardo Perea

HAVANA TIMES — The call came via my friend Yanelys Nunez, who is also the organizer, alongside Luis Manuel Alcantara, of the arts event which was celebrated recently in the Cuban capital.

It goes without saying that this was a unique opportunity for me as a gay and independent artist who deals with homoerotic subjects, who has created works independently and is completely self-taught and has never studied at a school like San Alejandro, for example, one of the most prestigious in the country.

Maybe that’s why I would have never been considered to take part in one of the extremely prestigious Havana Biennials and therefore, I took the risk of being questioned and seen as a dissident and ventured to take part in te #00 Havana Biennial. I have met excellent people during this event, both foreigners and Cubans with extraordinary human values, intelligent individuals who advocate for peace, justice and live for art.

My contribution took place in my own home/studio and involved an exhibition of videos and art, an art installation, a vast exhibition of my photography, a performance piece which didn’t take place because there were problems in coordinating it, but I did an improvisation.

I wanted to criticize the functionality of social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram etc…. to some degree. The need we have today to expose ourselves to others, well-known selfies and how many trivial things are on these networks. That was my proposal more or less, which I added my image to as it also plays into this constant game of exposure.