New Performance by Manuel Mendive at 11th Havana Biennial

AxE News attended on Monday a press conference by Cuba 2001 National Prize of Plastic Arts winner Manuel Mendive who announced details of his performance Las cabezas (The Heads) that will take place Thursday, May 10, at the Grand Theater of Havana, Prado Avenue, and the Capitol, as part of the 11^th Havana Biennial.

Mendive’s huge action includes several artistic expressions, which, when combined, result in a very effective way to take art to the people. To achieve his purpose, the creator combines his famous “painted bodies”, canvas and sculptures, with music, dance and theater, in a long route that begins with the intervention of naked models (at the front of the Grand Theater), goes on along Prado avenue with a dancing pilgrimage and his paintings (in mobile easels), and finishes next to Havana’s Capitol in a sui generis stage-installation that will harmonize with the elements mentioned earlier. At the end of the route, a special guest, Cuban pianist and composer Frank Fernandez will regale us with Federico Chopin’s Prelude No.4.

Mendive was awarded at the Second Havana Biennial for a similar action, after which he has frequently participated in subsequent editions of the event making with new increasingly ambitious performances, with a wider scope. Different dance, theater and musical groups will accompany him this time: the National Circus, Contemporary Dance, Danza del Caribe, Danza Fragmentada, Rakatán, Okantomí and Vivarta Theater Studio and a 100-voice choir of the National Opera.

The Heads speaks about diversity, and how humans should always look for the union with their fellow men, in close relation with nature. For the maestro, it is important to reiterate that’s the only way to reach harmony.

If you wish to see more photos of the Press Conference, CLICK HERE.