The art world is looking forward to the opening of the Havana Biennale in 2012 because this is one way to experience the thriving arts and culture scene in Cuba. Opening on the 11th of May 2012 and lasting a month until the 11th of June, this exciting event is a great opportunity for artists based in Cuba to showcase their creations to the rest of the world. Since the 1st Havana Art Biennale in 1984, (Cuba was one of the first biennales internationally), this has become an international important event in the arts world, celebratingCuban art, art from Latin America and beyond.  Its primary theme is to expose art from the “SThe Havana Biennale is a major cultural event  never short of admirers who come from different parts of the world to see the latest in the Cuban art scene. Art buyers and dealers have been coming to Havana for the Biennale in numbers that are ever increasing because they are attracted by the vibrant art on display here. The Havana Art Biennale taking place in 2012 is the eleventh edition and it is striking testimony to the powerful pull that Cuban art can exert on art buyers from other parts of the world.

The forthcoming edition of the Havana Biennale 2012 promises to be a very interesting one because it focuses on the relationship that visual art has with the way in which

people consider the world around them. It wishes to highlight the fact that people tend to express themselves through certain unique references of their culture and history, a lot of which can be attributed to the art they are exposed to in their countries.

The official theme for the event is “Artistic Practice and the Social Imaginary.” Interestingly, the emphasis of this event will be on people and not on traditional types of art such as painting or sculpture.  All genres of contemporary art will be on exhibited in Havana. Fernández Torres, one of the chief curators of the Havana Biennale 2012 has said  this upcoming Bienal would offer little in the way of painting or other traditional media. The new focus would be on people and new emerging artists, adding, “Historically, many people who came through the Bienal went on to become very well known.”

Artists have always wanted to be associated with the Havana Biennale because this is a great way for them to get the exposure they need and open up new markets beyond the borders of Cuba. Many of these Cuban artists go on to become known worldwide as serious artists to take note of.  Artists from Cuba and approximately 46 other countries are expected to exhibit their creations at the 11th Biennale here.

Contemporary artists from the third world, especially Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Cuban artists such as Yoan Capote and José Ángel Vincench will participate in the Biennale  along with other Latin American artists such as Yang Fudong, Tomás Saraceno, Damien Ortega, and Jorge Pardo.  Artists beyond the borders of Latin America will be also play a part in the Havana Biennale.

The Havana Biennale will be held at the Center Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art / National Council of Plastic Arts. However, there will also be many exhibits in the street so that spectators can enjoy them and participate in them. The entire city of Havana becomes a vast art gallery for the world to behold in 2012.outh” – the art from the third world as opposed to art of the North, the first world.