Monday 14 September 2009

Las Parrandas - Reboiro 1979


I know nothing about the documentary by Constante Diego but Las Parrandas is a festival of fireworks and celebration on Christmas eve in Remedios, one of Cuba's oldest towns. The partying, originally designed to encourage the locals to attend midnight mass on Christmas eve, is wild, the processions and floats are extravagant and the crowds turn out in large numbers. This poster by Antonio Reboiro uses his trademark geometric design to convey the fireworks and fiesta in a very colourful image. This poster has had its border removed.

Sunday 13 September 2009

Jornada del Guerrillero Heroico - OCLAE

This fantastic poster from OCLAE, The Organización Continental Latinoamericana y Caribeña de Estudiantes or Continental Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Students, features a contemplative Che in simple two tone, to promote the Day of the Heroic Guerilla. A great poster from one of the lesser publishers of Cuban posters. I don't know the year and I can't read the signature in the corner of this cool poster.
oclae poster cuba student

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Solidarity with Palestine - Abelenda 1968

This 1968 poster once again mixes a very serious political issue - the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine - with some inventive and bright graphics. The warm colours and psychedelic text create a positive vibe. The heroic armed character is the romantic view of the defender of Palestine. Cuban support of Palestine is typical of the anti-Western sentiment that flows through the graphics and iconography of its poster output.
ospaaal poster palestine 1968

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Solidarity with Guinea - Lazaro 1970

The 1970 invasion of Guinea by Portugeuse-led forces was an attempted coup against the government of Ahmed Sékou Touré. Cuba was openly supportive of a number of African states as they repelled imperialist European forces in their struggle for independence. In Guinea the 1970 invasion failed but sparked a period of violent repression. Typically this fun 1970 OSPAAAL poster by Abreu Lazaro uses playful pop cartoon graphics to illustrate a very serious and bloody subject.
ospaaal poster 1970 lazaro