Sperimentare il gruppo: dimensione collaborativa, spazi di relazione e incidenza sociale delle esperienze artistiche a L'Avana (1989-2021)

This dissertation investigates collaborative artistic practices in Havana from 1989 to 2021, focusing on how they negotiate the tension between aesthetic experimentation and social engagement. The first part outlines key developments during the 1980s and 1990s, including sociocultural initiatives by the Cuban Ministry of Culture, the emergence of the plástica joven movement and the artistic pedagogical implications, the international rise of the Havana Biennial and public debates on civil society triggered by the Special Period’s economic crisis. This historical and institutional context sets the stage for the second part, which analyzes nine case studies of collaborative art developed between the Instituto Superior de Arte and communities across Havana. Adopting decolonial perspectives, the research reflects on the ethical foundations of art, challenging dominant art historical narratives. Based on extensive fieldwork, the study draws primarily on first-hand sources and direct engagement with local artists and cultural practitioners.