Life > October 23, 2003

By Jessica Pritchard

Life Editor

Modern art, lively discussion, dance performances and authentic Cuban food.  A posh gathering somewhere in Havana?  Not quite.  It’s the opening of “Inside/Outside: Contemporary Cuban Art” at the Charlotte and Philip Hanes Art Gallery in Scales Fine Arts Center.

The exhibit features recent works of artists either born or educated in Cuba, according to the art department Web site.  The artists reside in Cuba or have left Cuba and now live in the United States and Europe and all have exhibited work around the world.

“The university received borrowed art works from art galleries around the world … as well as from private collectors such as (associate professor of romance languages) Linda Howe,” David Hart, an instructor of art and exhibit curator, said. 

Art on display in the exhibit comes from a wide range of media including paintings, photographs, sculpture and multimedia installations.  Both levels of the gallery will be devoted to presenting the works to the public until Jan. 25.

This display comes at a particularly poignant time, Hart said. 

“This is the year of dialogue, and I think it is perfectly appropriate to present to the public an exhibit to initiate dialogue about relations between the United States and Cuba and Cuban art,” Hart said. “Some artists in the exhibit live in Cuba, some live outside Cuba … this idea of some people inside, some outside and their ability to travel between the two defies some preconceived notions we have about Cuba as a communist country.”

The festivities begin with a lecture at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 from Hart.  He said it is important for all people to see this good art from Cuba.

Following the lecture is a reception for the opening at 7 p.m.  This will feature authentic Cuban cuisine like empanadas and tamales from local restaurateur Pedro Guzman and his establishment La Isla, according to the university news service.

Internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Marianela Bo