Portraits of the Revolution, 2016

The northern districts of Havana are an architectural treasure of colonial style, neoclassic, art deco, Spanish baroque, modernism and, surprisingly little brutalism. The 50 years of neglect have preserved Havana as a unique place without the architectural atrocities found so often in our modern cities. This architectural heritage, the abundance of American cars from the 1950s, and the life and character of its inhabitants make Havana one of the visually richest and photo-friendliest places to visit. At first sight, one has the impression that nothing ever changes; some of your images may have been shot last week or fifty years ago. But change happens, some of which I was, unintendedly, able to capture in a series of images.

Two years ago I was on my way to the boxing gym Rafael Trejo in Calle Cuba, when I saw the most amazing living room of an old man. I was attracted by the color palette of the wall with the portraits of Che Guevara, the old bench, and the sansevieria bringing back childhood memories (of the 1960s obviously).

I asked the man if I could take a picture and set up my tripod. As I press the shutter button, awaiting the three seconds shutter delay, a visitor walks into the picture and is captured as a ghost at the best of all positions in the frame. One could not have arranged it any better. This images soon became the signature image of the trip. This year, I wanted to show the location to my wife. But the apartment had since been converted into a gallery.

Javier Yoan, the nephew of the old man, runs his gallery Arte Cubano* with two of his friends. When I showed him the image on my smartphone, he asked me to capture his gallery for his facebook page, a request that I was very happy to fulfill.

Javier and his friend. 2018

Arte Cubana, Calle Cuba, Habana Vieja, 2018

The Portraits of the Revolution had been displaced to another room creating a scene that, together with the original shot without the “ghost,” makes a nice doublet of still-life images.

While I was working, my wife could practise her Spanish with Javier and his friend (pictured on the bench). When you are in Havanna, check them out, they are nice guys and they have some interesting work. At home, one piece of their artwork now hangs next to my print of the Portraits.

SR

Portraits of the Revolution, Still life version, 2016

Portraits of the Revolution II, Still life, 2018

• Arte Cubano Galeria, Cuba #822 / Paula y Merced, Habana Vieja