Utopia posible 2004-2009

The project Utopia Posible addresses different aspects of a compelling story about the unfinished dramatic art school at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana whose architecture captures the Utopian ideals of the Cuban Revolution. The project has several components and started with the exhibition Proyecto Invitacion 2004 as a wall-theater designed by the architect of the school Roberto Gottardi. After the exhibition was completed I realized that this gesture was the beginning of my research to document the plans, struggle and process of Mr. Gottardi to finish the school. The process of compiling material for the video concluded when the project was featured at the 2008 Gwanju Biennial. The project came full circle when the bricks displayed at the 2009 Havana Biennial where donated to be used for the school’s completion.

Project components:

UTOPIA POSIBLE
Video

In 1961 Fidel Castro and Che Guevara envisioned the creation of an art school complex that was called “the city of the arts”, now named Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). This art complex was located on the grounds of an exclusive country club in Havana. Among the group of architects commissioned to do the project was Roberto Gottardi. He was in charge of designing the school of dramatic arts. The construction of this school was interrupted in 1965. Even though it functions as a dramatic art school It remains unfinished to this day missing the center element in what the design concept of the school is based: The theater.

In 1999 the Cuban government decided to re-evaluate the school’s conditions, to restore and finish them. From 2004 to 2008 I video taped an ongoing dialogue with Mr. Gottardi. Shot mainly in the school and at his studio this video features Gottardi discussing the project, and its evolution.

INVITACION
Wall-theater
Photo documentation
Video documentation

Gottardi designs a wall to function as a theater to the specific scale of the gallery. This wall synthesizes the main characteristics of the unfinished drama school of ISA.

UTOPIA POSIBLE Photo documentation

This piece juxtaposes the construction process of the school in 1961-65 with the construction process of the wall-theater at Proyecto Invitacion 2004.
(Support by Art Matters)

IL CANTIERE INFINITO Video and sketches

This video is composed of images from a lecture by Mr. Gottardi called IL CANTIERE INFINITO. This presentation narrates the story of Gottardi’s unfinished project though sketches, photo documentation and renderings that represent how the school would look if completed.

Models
Photo documentation of the models fabricated of the school as well as the latest model.

* This project was funded by Gwangju biennale, CNAP, Art Matters and LEF foundation