THE FORTY-EIGHT STATIONS OF ECSTASY

The 48 Stations of Ecstasy

While attending a conference at the Havana Biennial I came across an eccentric exhibition of Soviet era artists’ books. Held at the famous Instituya para las Artes Gráficas on Avenue Simón Bolívar, the show included your basic communist agitprop. Handmade books depicting the the heroism of factory labor, the arithmetical valor of the Five Year Plan and the romance of sugar cane dominated the installation.

Much to my astonishment, displayed in a small plexiglass box was the original copy of Micah Carpentier’s 48 Stations of Ecstasy. Thought to be lost by most art historians, the 48 Stations is considered one of Carpentier’s seminal achievements.

I will be returning to Cuba in the fall on a José Martí Research Grant in order to investigate Carpentier’s work further. Among the books I hope to find are Los Diez Mandamientos, Caja de la Lluvia de Duchamp, and the legendary Pecho.