School of Plastic Arts
Architect: Ricardo Porro
Photo: Paolo Gasparini

"Architecture & Revolution: Escuelas Nacionales de Arte en La Habana"
Organised by the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A.

"Architecture & Revolution" is an exhibition of contemporary and historic photographs and blueprints documenting the Cuban National Art Schools (1961 - 1965). This exhibition opens on Thursday 24th January and will run until 23rd March 2002 in the InterAmericas Space at CCA7. Three architects – Richard Porro, Vittorio Garrati and Roberto Gottardi - designed these highly expressive works that reflect the utopian optimism and creativity that marked the early years of the Cuban Revolution.

These buildings have been the topic of much controversy due to the changing political ideologies and their influence on the accepted direction of Cuban Art. The schools themselves were the concept of Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara, while they were playing golf on the abandoned, former country club in Havana. They decided the site could be used, in a less exclusive manner, and decided to build an ensemble of five independent schools, all dedicated to the Fine and Performing Arts. The master plan consisted of separate buildings for the five individual disciplines: modern dance, plastic arts, dramatic arts, music and ballet.

The plan for the schools developed around three organising principles. First, the design was to respond to the lush tropical landscape of the site. Thus, the buildings were situated on the periphery of the landscape, each maintaining a unique identity but harmonic relationship with the campus. Second, due to limited access to building materials, locally produced construction materials such as brick and terra-cotta tiles were chosen. Third, the Catalan vault served as the primary structural system. Its relatively thin shell gained enough strength through its form rather than its mass, allowing great latitude with little lateral thrust.

The schools were to be a symbol of revolutionary Cuba’s commitment. However, construction of the schools lost momentum after the Missile Crisis of 1962, and in 1965, the National Art Schools were declared finished in their various states of completion. Fidel Castro has recently declared the schools to be "the greatest architectural achievement of the Cuban Revolution", even though the structures are incomplete and decaying. As a result of national and international recognition, plans are underway for the restoration of these important landmark buildings.

This exhibition was organised by the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, and is supported by InterAmericas Society of Arts and Letters of the Americea/Sociedad de Artes y Letras de las Americas.

‘Architecture & Revolution: Escuelas Nacionales de Arte en La Habana’ Ð Organised by the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, L.A., was part of CCA’s continuous programme of exhibitions in the InterAmericas Space at CCA7 from January 24th to 23rd March 2002.

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