This is a very different poster show: most people in the United States only know Cuba's film posters or political/solidarity posters. These posters, all made within the last 15 years or so by two of the best graphic designers (both in their early 40s), are contemporary in design and spirit. Many are made for events -- concerts, art exhibits, dance or music performances. Pepe is the Director of Design for Casa de las Américas, one of Cuba's leading cultural institutions. Eduardo does posters for many institutions on a free-lance basis and is probably best known here for his wonderful "Havana Express" poster.

Born in 1966 in Havana, Pepe Menéndez (José Alberto Menéndez Sigarroa) spent much of his childhood in Germany, where his father was a diplomat.

From 1984 to 1989, he studied graphic design at the Instituto Superior de Diseño Industrial (ISDI) in Havana. He did a postgraduate course on graphic design in the Netherlands in 1995. He is a member of the Cuban Writers and Artists Union (UNEAC). Between 1989 and 1994 he taught at ISDI. He is a founder and coordinator of the group "Next Generation Cuba," and curator of his projects between 2993 and 1997. Since then he has served as director of design for Casa. He has participated in dozens of exhibits worldwide and his posters have been published in magazines in Cuba, Amsterdam, London and elsewhere.

Eduardo Marín (Eduardo Francisco Marín Marín), born in Havana in 1965, studied graphic design at the Instituto Politécnico de Diseño Industrial 1986-88. He has participated in exhibits in London, Los Angeles, Montreal, Stockholm, Brazil, Japan, Austria, like Pepe, and like him, his work has also appeared in many publications. He is considered one of Cuba's most audacious graphic designers.

In addition to the 44 posters from the two artists, there are 25 catalogues by the artists. All of the posters and catalogues are for sale, but there is only one of each, with the exception of Havana Express (we have 10) and the Exhibit Poster (40).

For further information:
212.242.0559 or slevinson@cubanartspace.net