Cuban graffiti artist Yulier Rodríguez took advantage of the 15th Havana Biennial to call for the freedom of political prisoners on the island.
While commenting on the work "Wooden Cloud - The Architecture of Desires" by German sculptor Martin Steinert, the young graffiti artist inscribed four blue messages on various parts of the wooden panels.
The Steinert piece, displayed in the iconic Plaza Vieja of the capital, is a monumental installation that invites reflection on human aspirations and encourages Cubans to express their wishes on its wooden boards.
These served as a canvas for Rodríguez to write "Freedom for political prisoners," "freedom for José Daniel Ferrer," "freedom for Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara," and "freedom for Maykel Osorbo."
The gesture of Yulier Rodríguez, known for his expressive graffiti that critiques urban decay and power mechanisms, underscores the symbolic value of art as a vehicle for protest and places the issue of human rights within a space designated for artistic reflection yet controlled by the regime.
Wooden Cloud had previously been described by Steinert as an invitation to curiosity and dialogue. Rodríguez, in his social media post, referred to his action as "my contribution to the Biennial."
Rodríguez's intervention and denunciation add to the voices both inside and outside Cuba calling for the release of opposition figures and imprisoned activists, as well as protesters from July 11, 2021, who are serving unjust sentences in the island's prisons.
The cultural authorities of the Biennial and the German artist himself have not made any statements regarding the incident.
In other parts of the work, the dreams of the Cubans can be read: "Health and Freedom," "To put an end to the greatest farce in History," "To leave the country," "To travel," "Freedom," "Freedom," "Freedom."
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