Gaia (Havana)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gaia

Gaia is an arts centre in Havana, Cuba, set up on January 1, 2000 as a not-for-profit collaboration between Cuban and international artists.[1] [2]

The centre offers theatre, music and dance performances, workshops, and exhibitions of works by young artists. Gaia Teatro, the centre’s resident theatre company, has produced some interesting works: In collaboration with the British Council, Gaia staged Cooking with Elvis, by Lee Hall, in the Teatro Nacional, the first new British play performed in Cuba since An Inspector Calls opened in 1947. [3] Las cenizas de Ruth was director Esther Cardoso’s radical reinterpretation of the biblical story of Ruth. Los Reyes was a staging of Julio Cortazar's version of the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur. And Reciclaje used recycled items for wardrobe to explore environmental themes. [4] [5]

In the court of Minos -- The Kings, Gaia	Calling on the gods -- The Kings, Gaia	Cooking with Elvis, Teatro Nacional, Havana	Las Cenizas de Ruth
La Piel de Elisa	Mask performance	Mask performance

On the last Saturday of every month, Gaia hosts a mask workshop for children in the morning, and, at 5pm, a unique theatrical event, called Felices Los Normales (Happy the Normal). Targeted at Cubans with HIV/AIDS – and the community surrounding them -- the program is directed by inspirational activist Carlos Borbon. He and his group, Teatro Espontaneo, invite participants to come forward to tell an HIV-related story which is then enacted by a group of professional actors and musicians. The stories are moving and dramatic, and the atmosphere is electric. In December 2006, UNESCO presented the company with an award for its efforts in combating HIV/AIDS. [6]

Felices Los Normales performance at Gaia

Carlos Borbon raising HIV awareness at Gaia

UNESCO award for Felices Los Normales

Audience watches Felices Los Normales

Gaia also has a 'Casa de Mascara', teaching the techniques and traditions of masks to children and adults, and taking promenade performances into the streets of Old Havana.

Street Performance in Old Havana

Street performance in Old Havana

Mask lesson

Mask Performance

Gaia has hosted numerous exhibitions of Cuban and international artists, including Leysis Quesada Vera, Angel Delgado, Catherine Bertola, Paul Rooney and US artist Scott Griesbach. [7]. In 2006, it put on an exhibition -- Kachita, Mango y el Jim -- startlingly documenting the havoc caused by two hurricanes that flooded the city in 2005.

Scott Griesbach exhibition poster	Kachita poster	Installation piece for Los Reyes	Angel Delgado's handkerchief created while in jail
Contemplation	Fragmentos: international exhibition	Minos' throne

Gaia has staged performances by musicians such as Chucho Valdes, [8] Tony Perez, Los Jovenes Clasicos del Son, Sonora Matancera, Alicia Bustamante, and Aris Garit.[9] It offers percussion lessons for foreign music students.