Art and Graffiti

Art plays a key role in Cuban life. Maybe it serves to mitigate the ugliness of cratering buildings or uncollected trash piles in the streets, but the tile work, carved iron, and graffiti provide an exuberant distraction from all that is not pretty in Havana. Their artistic talent is remarkable.

Walking down the short alley dubbed Callejón de Hamel immerses you in colorful art celebrating Afro-Cuban culture. Many of the sculptures are crafted from found objects — like bathtubs! On the weekends, musicians and rumba dancers liven up this compact space.

Cubans tell stories through their graffiti. Some pieces look angry, some romantic, some joyous. But it is everywhere — helping you look past the poverty and destruction of this once-elegant city.

Many of the works are very edgy and defy categorization, unless maybe you’re Cuban.

More later about the remarkable contrasts of this fascinating city.