Third Havana Biennial: Elevating Art from the Margins

The Third Havana Biennial, guided by the vision of Llilian Llanes Godoy, was founded with a clear mission: to promote and gain international recognition for art from the Third World. This mission stems from the historical marginalization and neglect of contemporary art from these regions, which have long been overlooked in favor of art from industrialized nations. The Biennial, alongside the Centro, aims to redress this imbalance by providing a platform for artists from the Global South to showcase their work and engage with the global art community. By affirming the unique identity of Third World art and culture, the Biennial challenges the hegemonic dominance of an “international” culture that frequently disregards the contributions of these regions.

The inception of the Biennial was driven by the need to address the pervasive neglect of contemporary art from the Third World. Despite the richness and diversity of artistic expressions in these regions, their art has been overshadowed by a disproportionate focus on industrialized countries. Recognizing the shared experiences and interconnectedness among Third World nations, the Biennial sought to create a space that would foster exchange, communication, and cooperation among their artists. By offering a platform for mutual awareness and cultural integration, the Biennial aims to elevate the visibility of art from the Third World, challenging the prevailing narrative of cultural hegemony that marginalizes these voices.

A significant programmatic change introduced at the Third Havana Biennial was the shift from a competitive to a reflective framework. Moving away from an emphasis on prize-giving, the Biennial now focuses on fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange between artists, critics, and institutions from Third World countries. This more collaborative approach aims to deepen understanding and appreciation of art from these regions, while reinforcing the Biennial’s mission of promoting mutual awareness and integration. By offering a platform for dialogue that transcends individual recognition, the Biennial champions cultural exchange as a path to greater global understanding.