Despingovery Channel, the creation of Cuban content creator and comedian Eddy Ceballos (@eddy.pa_.gozar), has ventured into the ruins of the Instituto Superior de Arte this time. Known for his humorous take and documentary-style narration, Eddy highlights the crumbling infrastructure of the island through his entertaining channel. He's now set to release a series of videos showcasing the current condition of the renowned Cubanacán Art Schools.
The comedian quips, "Where the muses rest, the catacombs of the ISA, a despingological city that captivates." Viewers are eagerly awaiting the videos where Eddy will reveal, "a construction that, even abandoned, truly enchanted me. Don't miss out on the ISA: Instituto Superior de Arte."
For years, the deterioration of what is considered one of the most significant architectural achievements of the revolutionary period has been brought to light. Last year, independent outlet Diario de Cuba released a video showing the dire state of the unfinished project by Italian architects Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi, alongside Cuban architect Ricardo Porro.
Constructed with bricks and terracotta domes, the complex was intended to teach painting, dance, and music to the underprivileged of the thriving Cuban revolution. However, it has languished for years as a neglected pile of construction materials, seemingly ready to be swallowed by overgrowth.
Although the regime has occasionally promised preservation efforts for the complex, these have never come to fruition. Officially, the Cuban government acknowledges the National Art Schools of Cubanacán as "a stellar moment in Cuban revolutionary architecture." Yet, by late 1965, the project was abandoned, and the architects were exiled for allegedly promoting bourgeois and elitist cultural ideals.
The State of Cuba's Art Institute Ruins
Why is the Instituto Superior de Arte in ruins?
The Instituto Superior de Arte remains in ruins due to years of neglect and the failure of the Cuban regime to follow through on preservation efforts, despite its historical significance.
Who were the architects behind the Instituto Superior de Arte?
The architects responsible for the design of the Instituto Superior de Arte were Italians Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi, along with Cuban Ricardo Porro.
What was the intended purpose of the Cubanacán Art Schools?
The Cubanacán Art Schools were intended to educate the underprivileged in the arts of painting, dance, and music, as part of the Cuban revolution's cultural initiatives.