photographer tria giovan became so enamoured
with the caribbean island that she returned
again and again, and again, and again.
INTERVIEWSOPHIE KALAGASthe thing
about cuba
The thing I first noticed about Cuba: There was an openness and
accessibility of the people and physical spaces. The locals were
very welcoming, generous and warm – they are famous for their
resourcefulness and hospitality. On the first day of a two-week trip,
I shot a quarter of all the film I had for the entire time.
The thing about the colours: When most people think of Cuba,
they imagine bright, tropical and vibrant colours. In reality,
most colours are faded, muted and soft, and have a patina that
reflects history and time.
The thing about the architecture: It’s so diverse! The scale
of the capital city, Havana, is quite amazing, in that it has an
abundance of many different eras of buildings. I happen to love
the Mid- century commercial buildings myself, but the turn-of-
the-century residences in neighbourhoods like Vedado might be
considered more beautiful.
The thing about the beaches: Cuba is a big island, so it takes some
exploring to find the best beaches. The ones in Holguín Province
were lovely, and not too built up. Varadero is the beach area that is
closest to Havana. It’s been a well-known resort since the 1950s.
The thing I most wanted to capture: Everything was interesting,
but what was most important to me was to take pictures that were
informed. I made a thorough and in-depth investigation into Cuba
by reading everything I could get my hands on, learning Spanish,
and talking to as many people as possible while I was there. I felt
a sense of urgency to photograph as much as possible, as the place
seemed to be on the precipice of change.The thing about the music: The music is amazing and emanates
from everywhere – especially the streets of Havana. For the average
Cuban, going out to hear music is not always possible, whereas
putting it on your boombox and dancing with friends doesn’t cost
any money, and the whole family can join in.
The thing about the signage: Cuba’s legacy of graphic design is
amazing. The murals are abundant; the posters made for films were
my favourite. There were many print-making and silk-screening
workshops that produced these posters through the ’60s, ’70s and
beyond. On my last trip, many of the political murals had been
replaced by more tourist-friendly messaging, sadly, losing some
of the country’s more interesting qualities.
The thing I fell in love with: After 12 one-month trips and exploring
the entire country, I developed many close relationships and came
to know the place intimately. I hold the people and the country very
close to my heart. It became like a second home, and I feel that
I have an extended Cuban family.
The thing I learnt: I learnt many things about my craft and my work
as a photographer. To create a comprehensive body of work like
this one takes a lot of time and discipline. I was compelled to return
again and again – there was no question about it. I learnt that this is
not a given, and when it happens, you are a very lucky person!around the world