From the Networks: Artist's Eyes Before the Covid-19

The images are from Ernesto Rancaño's Facebook wall. He published them accompanied by brief complementary messages, let's say. He is a Cuban artist of few words and many merits, with a solid, diverse career that has gone through different stages and creative trends, covering different techniques and formats.

I think I first knew his work among the post-medieval and I loved his skill to distinguish himself in the unity of a trend? I met him in person next to his brother Kcho, in Santa Cruz del Sur, Camagüey, when the Martha Machado Brigade went to live in the areas hit by three consecutive hurricanes, to build and create. There I saw him collect debris and paint hummingbirds with the same hands.

My grandmother, 99 years old, and I want her to be older.

I don't know if these works are new, created in the heat of this new battle we are fighting now against a disease, the Covid-19, and which is not local, this is the world’s battle. I don't know if they are part of his previous, recent work or not so recent. I don't want to find out.

It’s enough for me to see how art becomes useful, and still be beautiful; how the artist gets his art to speak with reality, without letting one die or mocking the other. I feel encouraged to note that networks also entangle us in this universe. The visionary capacity of creation and the way life, love, and faith fit into it fills me with energy.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / Cubasi Traslation Staff