CUBA, February 11, 2009. Chilean president Michelle Bachelet said she was proud of inaugurating a kinetic art exhibit by a Chilean artist in the Casa de las Americas cultural institution in Havana. "From abstraction .to kinetic art," is the name of the exhibition by Matilde Perez (89) opened today by the Chilean President, who began an official visit to Cuba on Tuesday. Bachelet thanked the Cuban cultural center for beginning the celebrations of its 50th anniversary with a display of Maltide's artwork, a woman that has been described as audacious, modern, and representative of Latin America. She thanked the Chilean artist for being in Havana in spite of her age. Bachelet said in addition to the "marvelous paintings," the exhibition shows a new way to boost integration and cooperation, which she said is the main objective of her trip to Cuba, though Cuba and Chile had already carried out a few joint projects. The Chilean president said she was happy to be in Cuba and noted the diverse initiatives developed by the two countries and mentioned among them the participation of Chile as guest of honor in the 18th International Book Fair beginning on February 12 in Havana. Other bilateral projects are related to scientific and technological exchange, health and the film industry. Perez said she was pleased to be in Cuba and encouraged other Cuban and Chilean artists to work together in favor of art. The president of Casa de las Americas, Roberto Fernandez Retamar, talked with Bachelet and with Matilde Perez, as did Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto, and the president of the Cuban Writers and Artists Union, Miguel Barnet. |