Lives and works in Havana
Days Off, the video work by Cuban artist Levi Orta, draws a connection between the wave of social demonstrations that has been sweeping the world in recent years, the political regime in Cuba and his own way of life; as he mixes himself a Cuba Libre cocktail, the names of cities around the world where anti-government demonstrations took place between 2010 and 2012 appear on the screen with the date. The name of the work suggests that the artist mixes himself a cocktail each time such a demonstration takes place. The everyday actions of mixing and sipping a drink become an act of solidarity with the global demonstrations, and at the same time an act of protest against the regime in Cuba that prohibits such demonstrations. Orta’s passivity and relaxation as he leisurely savors his drink, and the tension between the name of the cocktail, “Cuba Libre” [Free Cuba], and the name of the work, Dias Libre [lit. Free Days], stand in stark contrast to the urgency that motivates millions to go out and demonstrate against their governments. The simple action becomes an act of protest.
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