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Carlos Garaicoa Wins 39th Prince Pierre of Monaco International Contemporary Art Prize

award · 2026-04-23

The 39th Prix international d'art contemporain, hosted by the Fondation prince Pierre de Monaco, underwent a redesign led by Marie-Claude Beaud and Jean-Louis Froment. A jury chose Lorenzo Fusi's concept, which showcases the work of Cuban artist Carlos Garaicoa, titled Carta a los censores. This installation, presented in dim lighting, is a model of a fictional cinema inspired by 19th-century theaters. It juxtaposes an ideal cultural temple against a fragile base, symbolizing the decline of Cuba's culture. Within, an empty projection room displays the titles of censored films, including Un chien andalou. Additionally, Garaicoa's second exhibition at Théâtre Princesse Grâce features a circular hall depicting a city and a performance space with burning candle monuments, representing decay and change.

Key facts

  • 39th edition of Prix international d'art contemporain organized by Fondation prince Pierre de Monaco
  • Jury selected proposal by Lorenzo Fusi, curator at Palazzo delle Papesse in Siena
  • Winning piece is Carta a los censores by Cuban artist Carlos Garaicoa
  • Work is a model of an imaginary cinema supported by a scaffold
  • Installation includes film titles of censored movies worldwide
  • Around the model, light boxes show photographs of closed cinemas in Havana
  • Piece recently acquired by Tate Modern
  • Second exhibition at Théâtre Princesse Grâce in Monaco features burning wax monuments

Entities

Artists

  • Carlos Garaicoa
  • Lorenzo Fusi

Institutions

  • Fondation prince Pierre de Monaco
  • Palazzo delle Papesse
  • Tate Modern
  • Théâtre Princesse Grâce

Locations

  • Monaco
  • Siena
  • Italy
  • Cuba
  • Havana
  • Vatican
  • Paris
  • New York

Sources