Llilian Llanes Godoy on Third World Art and the Third Bienal de La Habana

In 1989, Llilian Llanes Godoy, the director of the Centro Wifredo Lam, wrote the introduction for the third Bienal de La Habana. She contends that contemporary art from the Third World faces ongoing marginalization by institutions in developed countries, the mass media, and the art market. Founded in 1983 to honor Wifredo Lam, the Centro aims to enhance awareness and collaboration among artists from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The first two Bienals (1984, 1986) featured competitive and broad exhibitions across various regions. However, the third edition shifted to a more reflective approach, emphasizing tradition and contemporaneity, with a focus on exhibitions, workshops, and theoretical discussions. Godoy highlights the necessity for a new global cultural framework and the significance of understanding Third World contemporary art, supported by the Centro's extensive documentation resources. The third Bienal de La Habana is recognized as a key international platform for artists from these regions, promoting dialogue and exchange.