Cuban Artists Confront Systemic Crisis: Essay on Paresthesia and Resistance
In a piece for Artishock Revista, curator Laritza Suárez del Villar Suárez explores how modern Cuban artists confront issues such as systemic crises, blackouts, migration, and fatigue through the concept of 'paresthesia.' She delves into the works of Yamil Orlando, María Fernanda Chacón, José Miguel Cano, and Gabriela Reyna, focusing on themes of learned helplessness and self-destruction. Suárez posits that art serves as a defense for sensitivity by capturing discomfort. She cites Byung-Chul Han’s 'The Burnout Society' and Michel Foucault regarding psychological violence. Notable pieces include Orlando's 'Memorias del Paraíso' (2025) and 'Parestesia' exhibition; Chacón's 'Pregunta #2' (2025); Cano's 'Silencio incómodo' and 'Zona Gris' (2026); and Reyna's 'Nueve cerebros, tres corazones, sangre azul' (2026). The essay wraps up by criticizing the violence inherent in waiting.
Key facts
- Essay by Laritza Suárez del Villar Suárez published on Artishock Revista on August 25, 2026.
- Concept of 'paresthesia' used to describe numbness from prolonged crisis.
- Works analyzed: Yamil Orlando's 'Memorias del Paraíso' (2025) and 'Quemados por el Sol' (2024-), María Fernanda Chacón's 'Pregunta #2' (2025), José Miguel Cano's 'Silencio incómodo' (2026) and 'Zona Gris' (2026), Gabriela Reyna's 'Nueve cerebros, tres corazones, sangre azul' (2026).
- Orlando's exhibition 'Parestesia' at Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales (CDAV).
- Chacón's work shown at Galería La Nave during a collective exhibition curated by Suárez.
- Cano's exhibition 'Silencio incómodo' opened at Salón Blanco after winning the Malayerba young art prize.
- Reyna's work installed in the Sala de Armas of the Museo Napoleónico de La Habana.
- References to Byung-Chul Han's 'The Burnout Society' and Michel Foucault.
- Mention of the October 18, 2024 national blackout lasting over 72 hours.
- Migration wave in Cuba since 2021, with protests on July 11, 2021, Nicaragua visa-free policy, and humanitarian parole in December 2022.
Entities
Artists
- Laritza Suárez del Villar Suárez
- Yamil Orlando
- María Fernanda Chacón
- José Miguel Cano
- Gabriela Reyna
- Jany Batista
- Byung-Chul Han
- Michel Foucault
- John Cage
- Nikita Mijalkov
Institutions
- Artishock Revista
- Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales (CDAV)
- Galería La Nave
- Salón Blanco
- Museo Napoleónico de La Habana
- Malayerba
Locations
- Cuba
- Havana
- Vedado
- Avenida Paseo
- Calle 23
- United States
- Nicaragua