Carlos Garaicoa

            Carlos Garaicoa, born in Havana and trained in thermodynamics and painting, has built a distinguished artistic career. Currently dividing his time between Madrid and Havana, his work spans various disciplines such as sculpture, photography, drawing, installation, and architecture. His critical and inventive approach engages with contemporary cities, particularly with the architecture of his native Havana. The interplay of architecture and propaganda in Cuba is a recurring theme in his work, reflecting on the decay and constant evolution of the city. His installations explore irony and hopelessness, critiquing utopian modernist architecture and the collapse of 20th-century ideologies. His work delves into the concept of the city as a symbolic space, influenced by writers like Borges and Calvino.

            Garaicoa uses drawings, blueprints, models, and banners to express his vision. His lightboxes display ghostly constructions with personal slogans, while the banners showcase architectural experiments and plans in two and three dimensions. Throughout his career, Garaicoa has exhibited internationally, standing out at events such as the Venice Biennale and the Cuenca-Ecuador Biennial. Recognized with awards like the Pem Prize in 2021, he has made a significant mark on contemporary art, being part of esteemed collections such as the TATE, MoMA, and Guggenheim. His work, permeated with critique and inventiveness, invites reflection on utopias and the complexities of global society.