I think that a magnificent sightseeing tour of the City of Pinar del Río, Cuba, could be a guided tour of each of its murals. It is something that is really striking there and the times I have visited that city, Vueltabajera, as it is commonly known, I am always very struck by those colorful walls that convey some messages.
As it turns out, I've done some research on this. In 2015 there was a strong movement to restore these works, most of which were created in the 90s of the last century.
They arose as a result of the fraternity between the Berlin-Cuba Friendship Association and the Farbfieber Association of Düsseldorf, Germany.
Perhaps the people of Pinar del Río observe them and are observed by these walls with total normality, because they are so everyday... They are there in the middle of everything and at the same time in the middle of nothing (how I like this phrase). Then perhaps, I was saying, they will not look at them with the fascination with which a visitor would look at them. Trying to find meanings in art, investigating why there is a color and a figure here or a feeling and a brushstroke there.
In my little research I have found some clues, however, I would like to go back and have an expert guide to help me understand them better.
In a previous post I took a motorcycle tour that led me to this mural, titled "A chant of love". That publication was not focused on the mural, but on a journey with my best friend, which I accompanied with music, and curiously when I look at it today through time, that experience was a chant of love as well.
This mural is located in the Orlando Nodarse soft drink factory. Germans, Brazilians and Cubans worked together in its making and another coincidence: in that post I included a song by Chico Buarke, my friend perhaps knew that the Carioca imprint was present in those paintings, but she didn't tell me. I just discovered this today.
{Details of the Mural}
I quote you what I wrote there:
When I think of my friend and the music, I immediately remember that she loves Brazilian sonorities. Ever since we were in college she has been like that. I'm not saying she doesn't like other genres, but Bossa Nova, I know she is fascinated by it. I asked her: Li, what music do you think goes here in that sticky situation where I squeeze you around the waist so I don't fall? And she answered me: Samba e amor, by Chico Buarque? 🤣
I always think a lot about everything and the explanation I can give in this case is that there are messages that our subconscious perceives, and then we return in actions or moods. Do you think so?
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This mural is titled "My City" and was created entirely by women in 1996. I learned their names from a newspaper clipping from when it was restored. But in one of the images that I'll show you below is that precise information.
On February 18, 2014, this mural had already been completely restored and the press took it upon themselves to spread the news. And this was the starting point for the restoration of the other murals.
You can read there in that link, but it is clearly possible to perceive that it is made to highlight the different moments that are lived in this city, with women as the protagonist and also show the wonderful landscapes and emblematic places of Pinar del Río, such as, for example, the mogotes of Viñales, the tobacco meadows, The woman making art, painting a mural. This is very interesting, because we see the mural and within it the process of its conception.
I liked this work so much that I focused on its details.
Another mural that I really liked is next to the Loynaz Brothers Book and Literature Development Center. In these images I see fracture, but also anchors that could be familiar, or of love for the land where one is born. A paper boat that denotes fragility, towards the unknown. References to sutured wounds, a tightrope walker. These are my own appreciations, where I observe a close panorama that all the souls of this island have been living for quite some time now.
Only in this area, in the surroundings of the Independence Park, it is possible to admire several murals, including this one I just told you about.
This one, which shows our national hero José Martí, is titled "Connection". I think it draws attention to the dangers of receiving distorted information in the digital age.
A little further on is another painted wall entitled "Protection". This one is a bit weird to me. I can't quite determine his message. Art sometimes puts us in a bind when it comes to discernment. If anyone has an explanation for this one, I would appreciate it.
😯
To visit the last mural of the day, my friend (who is an excellent tour guide) and I had to leave Independence Park and go to Columbus Park.
I don't know if there is such a tour already established for visitors. But it's not a bad idea, right? My friend before seeing the next one recommended me to enjoy a snack at Café Shop Jarachó. It is very close to here.
It is a place where you can breathe art. That's what I told her when I entered, which came in handy with the tour she was giving me around the city to photograph its murals.
We ordered tea and a Tres Leches cake with lots of meringue.
There are many other murals throughout the city. But we went to the one in Columbus Park, which is one of my favorites for its magical-religious references.
"I Have Faith in Destiny" is its title. And in it you can see many figures related to our Afro-Cuban roots and their beliefs.
The mural is very curious and we can obtain many readings from it.
I see many cultural references and always that need to see the sea that embraces us as an island in a very symbolic way, perhaps a point of departure or farewell.
A dove of peace? A myth of revolt? William Tell and the apple on the head? Maybe.
Our Hatuey, an Indian Cacique who rebelled against the Spanish colonizers... was also a brand of national beer. But we do not see him here in a position of rebellion.
{These are just some of my thoughts. From this mind that never stops thinking... sometimes I have to put a brake on it.
Anyway, I also have faith in destiny. }
I hope you enjoyed this visit to the City of Pinar del Rio, through its murals.
✨
Original content (text and photos), by @nanixxx, unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved ©, 2023.
Nothing is meaningless, graffiti is a great artistic way to coway your messege in art.
Exactly is a powerful way to convey ideas through walls.
😉
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You are rigth my friend. In My family routine i almost don't Even take into account those places. They are very beatiful.
And do you think it's a good idea to go on a sightseeing tour to see these murals and talk about art? Quizás a @dahpilot le interese esto. 😉
Of course. Maybe some pinar' hivers can join to this adventure.
Yesss and yesss 😅 claro que me interesa 😁
There's some really nice artwork here and it's nice to see cities painted up in this way. I don't like to see graffiti scrawled everywhere but these are far more than that, artworks for sure. It's often good to learn the meanings behind the work too as they often have incredible messages or represent the tone or mood of the location.
Count me in next time.
Will you come for a tour of the City of Pinar del Río?
If so, done!
Of course, it's a package deal!
These murals have a lot of value for me, because it is a project between artists from different countries and because I notice a nice balance between what each one expresses by itself.
Well said, and they're nice to look at too.
When artists can express thoughts in words, they graffiti hehe.. I love all of the murals and stories they portray..
!LUV !LADY
Dear friend, I have some catching up to do with your good stories. I am very messed up hahaha
These murals are very interesting, yes.
!PIZZA
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That is an art road. These are amazing photos.
Thank you. I'm glad you liked this tour through art and graffiti. 😉
What a peculiar tour of the city of Pinar through its murals. I have lived there and never noticed the details you describe in this post. Thank you for sharing your unique look at these artistic works.
No way! Hahaha... Impossible! Hahaha... you who have art in your veins?
Jjjjj, ¿me crees si te digo que estaba escribiendo una publicación titulada "Un tur por los murales pinareños"? Es que en la década del 90 pensaron llamarle a Pinar del Río la ciudad de los murales. Allí mismo alrededor del parque eran 4. Uno ya no existe. Al principio de los 2000 los muros de la Universidad se llenaron de grafitis aunque no tan grandes y con técnicas más efímeras. La universidad tiene varios murales y más recientes y utilizando técnicas de mosaico los alrededores de la terminal tienen varios murales muy interesantes.
😕 Oh, ¡lo siento! No sabía. Pero seguramente tienes más cosas que contar, ¿no?
Sí claro, dede la visión de una pinareña y con otras historias. Me da risa que tampoco entiendo mucho del mural que dices solo que quiero una vaca como aquella porque los apagones aquí me van a matar jjjjjj.
I also think that there is a message which is conveyed through these murals. I am amazed to read that these all murals have title like national hero's mural has "connection" title, "I have faith in destiny",a weird one "protection" and "my city". These title are based on the stories they had.
Yes, there are a lot of stories and also a lot of criticism in them. I like that the artists have expressed their emotions and their views through the paintings.
I wouldn't mind trying some Cuban beer!
Those are some funky murals, a grand tour indeed!
Well, here I have the beer tour ready for you. Join the trip with Galenkp. ;)
some brilliant street art captured there. Love it and it is good to now that it is being restored for others to enjoy
This city has many other murals. It is very nice to admire them and discover in them part of our history, but also many of our realities and concerns.
Thank you 😉
you're welcome.
@grindle, hey, I saw that you cross posted my post. Dude, I am so grateful for all your help.
🤗
hey @nanixxx no probs, it was that good I nthought it should be seen by a wider audience who love street art.
The murals are amazing and certainly tells many stories. I wish I knew of this place when I visited Cuba a while ago. It is great that the street art was restored. I think there will be appreciation for them for a long time to come.
Maybe one day you can come back. You know I'm around and whatever you need, you can count on me.
What wonderful works of art, those murals are amazing, I love them!
I really like the one with the butterfly and one that is an abstract of nature, but you'd know I'd be out there with one eye!
Wonderful post Nani, fabulous!!! I can't say more.
I love it! Thank you so much!!!❤️
I don't believe you hahahaha
You are a great eye!
Yes I can hahahahaha I always can, it's absolutely fantastic to see so much beautiful art!!!!
😁
you know I can send endless comments hahahahahahahahaha
Good night, I'll say goodbye for today!! see you tomorrow!
Street art is varied and each work represents a different feeling or reality.
I have seen some very beautiful ones and others with a deep message, without using a single word 🌹
Buhito is very wise. Thanks for stopping by. Yesterday I thought about origami that I have not done. I will, don't worry.
I loved the post, I love the murals, I think it’s one of the forms of art that I enjoy the most, because most of the time they turn boring places (like that ETECSA headquarters) into interesting places that people want to visit and take a souvenir.
On the other hand, I think this place could be exploited more as a tourist destination but I leave that to my team of @estiloviajero.
@nanixxx as always an excellent post, i LOVE It 😁👏🏻👏🏻
As I was writing it I thought of you, yes. It's one more place to add to your list of destinations and combine it with these local cafes and businesses.
Thank you!
A marvelous display of street art @nanixxx friend!... Applause for this!...
But... Protection?... I turn that over in my head and I don't understand it nor can I think of anything about it... he he he :)) The artist and his work then!... sorry for the cow, in any case!
!discovery 40
!VSC
!PIZZA
!BBH
😶
I don't understand it. It's a saving light bulb... maybe it alludes to the energy obtained from cow excrement... but that message is a bit murky in that way. I don't like that the poor cow has been given a light bulb.... well you know. Hahahahaha.
Art is art 🤣
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fenomenal artículo...he visitado mucho Pinar y he visto algunos de esos murales...vistos a través de tú alma y tú lente lucen aún mejores...
Gracias @pinero. Son realmente bonitos e interesantes estos murales. Y eso que me faltaron muchos por traer acá.
Those drawn walls are real works of art, I really like them, I think they give a different understanding of those buildings.
Yes, each is closely related to the message and its location. You are right about this.
It was a very good post, I really enjoyed going through it.
Thank you, 🤗.
You're welcome!
Those murals are spectacular, I saw them all the time when I studied there. They give tremendous life to the city. The one with the cow and the light bulb, I think it's because beef and milk (really) fan energy, jjjjjj. What you think about when you are hungry! Jjjj😁
Hahaha... I like your interpretation of the mural. 🤗
😁
What a lovely tour around the city, and so thoughtful of your friend to drop by a cafe mid way. I love the vibe there
I am delighted that you liked it. Because honestly I don't get out much, but the times I go to these places I always think of my favorite hivers who do go. ;)
You live in a beautiful city. Such picturesque paintings that bring joy, and that patina! I myself have wanted to visit Cuba.
Hello,
I assure you that you will have a pleasant experience. Cubans are very good hosts. And there are many in Hive, so you know, don't hesitate to let us know if one day you visit us.
Art always in the eye of the beholder, each would see something unique perhaps relating to something from history or possibly futuristic. Nice photography share on the works found here.
You are absolutely right. Everyone perceives art in a different way, and experiences different sensations.
Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment. 🤗
Have a wonderful day !LUV
The StreetArt Community.Great selection of StreetArt. I love the cow 😂 And thanks @grindle for the cross-post. Thanks for sharing these pics on
Have a lovely day.
The cow!!! Poor 🐮 hahahaha... A hug, @heroldius. Thank you.