It has been 10 days since I returned from Cuba, and the colors are still haunting me. I keep playing salsa music in my studio, and I am still craving black beans and rice.
Art is alive and well in Cuba, despite their economic problems. Artists there make do with what is available, whether it is refurbishing a 1950s Chevy, or taking broken ceramics and making colorful mosaics.
One artist has created a mosaic that extends past his studio, beyond his home, fills his yard and has covered his neighborhood! His name is Jose Fuster and his magical creation is Fusterlandia. His work is inspired by a combination of Gaudi and Picasso – whole landscapes filled with mosaic-covered undulating sculptures – with the abstract eye of Picasso.
Here in this photo collage, you can see his neighbor’s house on the upper left, and a neighborhood wall on the lower right. If you go to my photo page you will see I have just uploaded some more photos including many from his home, studio and neighborhood. He has literally turned his neighborhood into a tourist attraction!
The top right photo is the historic Hotel Nacional and the bay beyond, with a stunning sunset over the water. On the far side of the bay is the Castle Morro which has been featured in many movies.
The 3 Blue-Green cars illustrate one of the ubiquitous colors of Cuba, a Greenish-Teal or an Aqua-Jade that I will forevermore think of as Cuban Green. The houses are painted a pastel version of this color, and all shades appear throughout the city of Havana, with more shades of Aqua-Green in the water and waves.
If you missed my story about Ernest Hemingway’s house last week, be sure to have a look on our blog. You can always review our newsletters on this page.
Are you interested in traveling to Cuba with me next year? If so send us an email and we’ll keep you updated on any developments.
Share Post:
