An unusual outdoor attraction called the Museum of Tarecos has recently gained attention on social media after being featured in a video by content creator @sheyvlog_cuba_27 on Instagram. Located in Alamar, East Havana, this intriguing museum was the creation of Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles, a notable figure in Cuba’s recent history. He lived there with his wife Emilia for many years.
This site is a vibrant piece of folk art. Gallo, who described himself as a “natural dreamer and an optimist by conviction,” believed that “humor is the most serious thing in the world,” a sentiment that permeates every corner of the space. The museum deserves special consideration not just as an example of Art Brut in Cuba, but also because of its deeper story.
Who Was Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles?
Born in Campo Florido in 1924, Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles was more than an artist; he was a member of the Popular Socialist Party (PSP) and worked as an intelligence agent under the alias "Mayo." In 1960, while serving as the Chargé d’Affaires in Costa Rica, he alerted authorities about the Bay of Pigs invasion plans, sending this crucial information encoded to his superiors in Havana.
Gallo participated in over 20 diplomatic missions in countries such as Bolivia, Spain, and even served as ambassador to Democratic Kampuchea (Cambodia under Pol Pot’s regime). Upon retiring, he transitioned from living in a beautiful house in El Vedado to a modest apartment in Alamar, where he brought to life the Museum of Tarecos and the Garden of Affections, merging his diplomatic past with a community and artistic vocation.
He passed away in 2020, leaving a dual legacy as both a pivotal spy during historical moments of Cuba's regime and as the creator of a unique space that blends humor, critique, and memory into everyday life.
The Birth of the Museum of Tarecos
In an interview, Gallo explained that the museum began during a drastic life change, a challenging period when he contemplated suicide, but art ultimately altered his fate. In Alamar, distanced from his previous life, he decided to transform his apartment's backyard into a space filled with sculptures made from discarded materials. These pieces, many imbued with profound symbolism, aim to impart lessons, evoke smiles, and spark conversation.
Inside the home lies the Gallery of Affections, showcasing a collection of peculiar objects, small-format sculptures, and faces crafted from animal bones. The perimeter fence features popular sayings that invite reflection.
The Museum of Tarecos represents an expression of Cuban folk art that blends creativity, historical memory, and social critique through the simplicity of everyday objects. However, to many Cubans, it is also seen as a heap of junk lacking significance, occupying public space.
Exploring the Museum of Tarecos and Its Creator
What is the Museum of Tarecos?
The Museum of Tarecos is an outdoor space in Alamar, East Havana, featuring artworks made from discarded materials by Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles, blending humor, critique, and memory.
Who was Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles?
Héctor Pascual Gallo Portieles was a Cuban artist, intelligence agent, and diplomat known for his significant contributions during the Bay of Pigs invasion and his creation of the Museum of Tarecos.
What inspired the creation of the Museum of Tarecos?
The museum was inspired by a major life change for Gallo, during which art became a transformative force, guiding him away from despair and toward creativity.