Sislej Xhafa's 'Rosa Azul' Retrospective at Havana's National Museum

A major retrospective of Kosovo-born artist Sislej Xhafa, titled 'Rosa Azul,' opened at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Arte Universal in Havana, curated by Jorge Fernández Torres. The exhibition features works conceived and produced on-site, engaging with Cuban reality and local creativity. Galleria Continua, with Arte Continua and Luisa Ausenda, played a key role. The show includes historical pieces like a video of stock market trading placed opposite a tree trunk with rope grafts and an antenna, commenting on selective media access and limited internet. 'Again and Again' uses Samuel Barber's music to address power and gesture. A Cuban plow wrapped in bulbs reflects on spectacle and rural life. On the first floor, 'Archive of Braid' collects hair from Havana barbershops as a symbol of resistance. 'Monument of Desire' (2018) features a bicycle with an improbable air conditioner. 'Confesionario' (2018) is a confessional made of found materials. The title 'Rosa Azul' references a blue rose, an invented flower, and touches on Santeria, shamanic beliefs, and cultural crossovers. The exhibition runs until December 17, 2018.