Museo Nacional de la Cerámica Contemporánea Cubana / National Museum of Contemporary Cuban Ceramics [ESP+ENG]

Hola comunidad, familia y amantes de manualidades en HiveDiy saludos. El día de hoy, vengo a mostrarles mi visita por el gran museo histórico de la cerámica contemporánea cubana, donde se exhiben obras significativas de nuestro país, exposiciones personales y colectivas, talleres de aprendizaje, eventos de carácter nacional, además se cuida el patrimonio tangible o intangible del local. Interesante verdad ¡Acompáñame por este maravilloso paseo 😉!

The museum was inaugurated on May 5, 1990. During its first fifteen years of existence, it was located in the Castillo de la Real Fuerza. In 2005, it was moved to the other building ‘La Casa Aguilera,’ which is distinguished by its elegance and majesty; according to its history, in 1728 the house was remodeled by its second owner, Captain Francisco Basabe. It is believed that the Cuban poet José Fornaris lived in the house.

The first commercial house that existed in this place, founded in 1874, was also located there. This building has survived to the present day preserving its original architecture thanks to the restoration made by its last owner Julián Aguilera y Raymond. The historical-archeological research work shows that, in spite of the exterior transformations, the house was maintained as Captain Francisco Basabe conceived it.

In the first room upon entering, a personal exhibition entitled "Reflejos" (Reflections) by Yordanka Aguilar Dorta, an artist from Santiago de Cuba, is presented. The pieces are characterized by the undulating curves, its colors that achieve very beautiful effects between light and shadow, which also preserve the fusion between the traditional and the contemporary.

The back of the museum has a beautiful courtyard with pots of exotic plants and an archaeological site where several items of heritage value were found (latrines, vessels, etc.) of the time, with great scope for archaeologists, which will observe that the structure is maintained as a witness and at the same time is creative by the adornment of artists who worked to beautify it.

On the upper floor is located the panorama of Cuban artistic ceramics from 1950 to the present day, where the works made by brilliant Cuban creators are exhibited: Amelia Peláez, Wilfredo Lam, René Portocarrero, Martha Arjona, Alfredo Sosabravo, Amelia Carballo, Aniceto Mario Díaz, Tomás Núñez (Jonhy), Ismary González among many other artists.

As you walk up the stairs outside the halls, you will find a variety of small and large sculptures, as well as ceramic paintings, very original, imaginative and humorous for many 😄 jjj.

The interiors of the second floor of the building have numerous samples of precious works of both the late twentieth century and the current century, many were direct donation by the creators or loan of indefinite character. The number of pieces exhibited in the stations have participated in the Biennials of Ceramics, an annual event where artists can show their talent, creative typologies, technical diversity, as well as other aspects.

Here we are faced with an ironic observation about the ambivalence of unanimous votes.

The work is inserted in a line of creation sustained on deep conceptual bases through a great dramatism and shades of surreal order. Inside the heads is the Cuban flag.

The main collection of the first period is exhibited, the creation of Amelia Peláez, Wilfredo Lam that occupies relevance in terms of quantity of works, both of exceptional value and others that respond to various museological criteria. The murals and slabs of René Portocarrero, Alfredo Sosabravo are also representative from the plastic and thematic point of view. The same is true of the other exponents that make up the permanent exhibition hall called Initiators.

He uses the technique of juxtaposition of small fragments to achieve a panel of considerable dimensions.

The Museum has not stopped in its museological-museographic, dissemination, conservation and theoretical projection efforts. The collection of artistic ceramics, the only one of its kind in Cuba, has been growing uninterruptedly since its genesis. Undoubtedly, the institution is an essential exhibition scenario, as well as a necessary stimulus for the continuous development of the manifestation.

Finally, I present a sculpture that I personally loved and called my attention because of its imagination, here it is:

Casa Aguilera opens its doors and invites the common passers-by, those sensitive to ceramics, artists and collaborators in order to make them accomplices of what is exhibited and treasured in the place, as well as to appreciate each piece, its artistic techniques, the shine of precious metals and unpredictable textures, which make this home a must-see place for those who love the good and the beautiful of art.

It is located at Casa Aguilera. Mercaderes No. 27 esq. Amargura, La Habana Vieja, Cuba 🇨🇺

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