Memories of persistence José María Mellado

MEMORIES OF PERSISTENCE

The National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba inaugurated on July 12, 2024 the long-awaited personal exhibition “Memories of Persistence”, by Spanish photographer José María Mellado, in its Universal Art Building. The exhibition, made up of 31 photographs, which can be enjoyed until October 6 of this year, is displayed in the circulation spaces at the entrance to the rooms of the permanent exhibition of the collection of Spanish painting on the third level, and in the exhibition rooms of the Museum’s collections of European painting. on the fifth level. The exhibition, curated by Oscar J. Antuña, has been conceived as a dialogue first with the building dedicated to Universal Art, a monumental work in an eclectic style from 1927 by the Asturian architect Manuel del Busto, and then with specific works from the collections of Flemish, Dutch and German painting in the same building.

View of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Universal Art Building) from Central Park. Havana, Cuba. © José María Mellado

In the words of the curator of the exhibition Oscar J. Antuña, also deputy director of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana, “the images, some of impressive large format, show the ethical, aesthetic and technical concerns of an artist who has ventured into themes of reflection on the preservation of the environment and the impact of human civilization on natural landscapes and their transformation. Mellado often evokes the ability of nature to recover those spaces that were once useful to human beings and that, with the passage of time, have been abandoned to their fate due to the most diverse circumstances. The natural landscape is, of course, a source of inspiration and evocation. Through an inventory of spaces and landscapes of great beauty, treated with high aesthetic flight, the artist confronts us with the responsibility of conserving these values for our well-being and the reproduction of life. In these spaces, the human being usually only appears through his footprint and not directly as part of the composition. However, in recent times, although Mellado maintains this line of work, the direct presence of the human being has appeared in his photographs, often in the Cuban context, an area to which he has been connected for some years.” (1)

“Memories of Persistence” is a visual exploration of memory and identity. Mellado captures landscapes, characters, and urban scenes that evoke a deep emotional connection and a reflection on the passage of time. The thirty photographs by José María Mellado are harmoniously integrated and propose an exquisite dialogue with the masterpieces of artists such as Joaquín Sorolla Bastida (1863-1923), Raimundo Madrazo (1841-1920), Mariano Fortuny (1838-1874), Jan Bruegel I (the Elder) (1568-1625), Hermann Seeger (1856-1940) and Johannes Cornelisz. Verspronck (c. 1597-1662). In this relationship, a series of elements stand out that underline the aesthetic and thematic coherence between the different pieces: the exploration of light and colour, detail, realism, composition and the investigation of the human condition. This harmonious integration evidences Mellado’s ability to create art that resonates with the pictorial tradition, while bringing a contemporary perspective through photography, his landscapes and portraits

José María Mellado appropriates the space, making his photographs coexist and dialogue with works that narrate the evolution of the history of art through the collections treasured by the Universal Art Building. The strategic arrangement of the author’s photographs in the circulation spaces of the entrance to the rooms of the permanent exhibition of the collection of Spanish painting on the third level, and in the exhibition rooms of the Museum’s collections of European painting, on the fifth level, invite a reflection on the evolution of technique and visual narrative from the time of the great masters to the present day. This exhibition, with the poetry of its images and its symbolic charge, speaks to us of the past and the present. The museographic discourse focuses on the visitor walking through the Museum’s rooms from a new sensory, immersive, dialoguing experience, through the symbiosis of the author’s images and the narratives, stories and characters that dialogue with each other. Each image is a window into a world of memories, where reality and imagination are intertwined.

For José María Mellado, being invited to exhibit individually at the National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba represents a significant milestone in his artistic career. This museum, with its rich history and prestige, is one of the most important in Latin America. Founded in 1913, it houses one of the most complete collections of Cuban art, as well as outstanding works of international art, making it an epicenter of artistic and cultural exchange. Exhibiting his work in this Museum underlines Mellado’s international recognition and allows him to dialogue deeply with the island’s artistic tradition. By exhibiting alongside pieces by artists such as Sorolla, Madrazo and Fortuny, Mellado not only pays homage to these great masters, but also inscribes his own work in a historical narrative of artistic evolution and continuity. This opportunity highlights his ability to create works that resonate with the pictorial tradition, bringing a contemporary and fresh perspective from photography.

With “Memories of Persistence”, José María returns to a stage with which he has maintained a deep bond and a prominent presence in various artistic events on the island. Their link is reflected in their active participation in several artistic and cultural encounters that have left a mark on the Cuban art scene. Mellado has had a prominent presence in group exhibitions of great relevance, such as “Cuba. The Most Beautiful Land” at the Museum of Fine Arts and “The Silence and the Light” at the Fototeca de Cuba. In addition, his role as a guest artist at the 14th edition of the Havana Biennial, with the project “Bajo el mismo cielo“, has consolidated his connection with Cuban contemporary art.

Beyond exhibitions, he has also contributed to the development of art on the island through talks, workshops and conferences, where he has shared his knowledge and experiences with Cuban artists and fans. These educational and training activities have been an integral part of its commitment to Cuba’s artistic circuit, strengthening cultural and professional ties with the country.

This project has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of Acción Cultural Española, the Embassy of Spain, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and other collaborators. The new exhibition promises to be one more milestone in Mellado’s fruitful relationship with Cuban art. Visitors will be able to enjoy a selection of his most recent works, where the impeccable technique and sensitivity that characterize his style are intertwined. We invite all art lovers to immerse themselves in this visual journey and to rediscover the evocative power of José María Mellado’s photography.

(1) Fragment of the curatorial text by Oscar J. Antuña for the exhibition Memories of Persistence

THE EXHIBITION

EXHIBITION TOUR

3RD FLOOR. Landscape. The eternal return

The exhibition “Memories of Persistence“ begins its tour on the third floor of the museum, at the entrance to the rooms of the Spanish Painting Collection with a selection of large–format photographs which intervene in the transit spaces of that level and explore the concept of the eternal return of the landscape. The photographs, strategically placed as an installation, represent in detail the changes caused by human intervention and interact with the architecture of the building, the former Asturian Centre inaugurated in 1927. The images create an immersive experience that dialogues with the history, structure of the museum and its collections of Spanish art. The main entrance is presided over by a large staircase, considered one of the most spectacular in the country both in its design and in its circulation. Mellado‘s photos thus interact with the majestic staircase and central balcony, creating a link between the work and the history of a building as distinguishable as this one.

Works on display

5TH FLOOR. Human footprint in the landscape

In the second part of the exhibition – located along the fifth–floor corridor that houses the European Painting Collection – the photographs are arranged in such a way that visitors can experience two different narratives depending on the direction in which they are traveling. In one sense of the tour, the images capture nature in its purest state. As visitors move forward, the images show a gradual degradation of the landscape, culminating in the haunting sight of petrified trees. On the other hand, in the opposite direction, five other images illustrate the imprint of human activity on the landscape. The arrangement of these photographs guides the viewer through a visual journey, establishing a dialogue about the duality of nature: its original beauty and purity versus its transformation by human hands

Works on display

5TH FLOOR. Dialogue with collections

Establishing a dialogue between specific works belonging to the museum‘s permanent collections of European Painting and Mellado‘s photographs becomes, in this last part of the exhibition, a fascinating proposal. This time, the dialogue focuses on the exploration of how the concepts of portraiture and landscape have evolved over time, maintaining certain similarities, especially in the conception of landscape. To this end, some works from the permanent collections have been temporarily replaced by those of the photographer. This substitution allows a direct comparison to be made between traditional and contemporary representations of landscapes and portraits. The photographs contrast and complement the older paintings, offering visitors a renewed perspective on how portraiture and the natural environment have been interpreted and represented throughout art history, through the museum‘s collections and Mellado‘s lens.