The exhibition which opened this July 18 at the Servando Cabrera Gallery in Havana is not a usual proposal in “gallery art.” There are no paintings hanging on the wall or sculptures on a pedestal.
En tiempos de androides… is the title of the exhibition that is being displayed during the summer at the Servando Cabrera Gallery, where the public can interact with the fascinating world of robotics, a distant environment in Cuba compared to other countries, but in which Cuban young engineers and programmers seek to insert themselves.
The popular drone, unmanned aviation vehicles, robotic arms, a prototype of an intelligent house, among other devices and inventions, make up this exhibition in which, in addition to interacting with the artistic object, it takes on more significance due to its particular function and characteristics than for the aesthetic value the work itself may have.
The wide scope of robotics in the world entails multiple implications in daily life.
In Cuba, it doesn’t have that much impact beyond the industrial sphere, but this branch of technology has a busy road and En tiempos de androides… confirms it.
This exhibition is also conducive to dialogue between science and art.
Curated by specialists Yenisel Osuna and Sara-Lis Muñiz Bueno, the expo also has the participation of the Cujae Robotics and Mechatronics Group, coordinated by Ivón Oristela Benítez; the Alasoluciones project, designed to promote the implementation and development of Unmanned Aviation Vehicles in the Aviation Club of Cuba; the Copincha community, among other projects and specialists in the field.
Among the most noteworthy pieces are the Pitirre and Gavilán unmanned aviation vehicles, as well as the Cuadróptero drone.
The public can interact with artifacts from Educational Robotics, which are very popular among children and adolescents.
Near the entrance, receiving the visitors to the premises, is Autopioesis (Yusnier Mentado): a robotic arm that reproduces in the space of the gallery the movements made by the artist creating the piece, a work that was already exhibited during the 13th Havana Biennial.
To continue the educational spectrum of En tiempos de androides…, the gallery will host several workshops related to Educational Robotics, with capacities of up to 15 children and adolescents, whose ages vary depending on the courses, which will be held between July 29 and August 16.
Those interested can register by contacting the Servando Cabrera Gallery, on the corner of 23 and 10, in Vedado.