With all the people and for the sake of a few.
2012-2017
Performance
Big raffle
2017
Performance
Co-author: Nestor Siré Mederos
Convening a large group of people to achieve a common goal, and that only one benefited from it was the purpose of this work; which consisted of an open and independent raffle of 250 numbers that would grant the winner, along with his partner, one night – with breakfast included – in the first five-star plus hotel on the island, the Big Apple Kempinski . The numbers would be sold through Luis Manuel's mobile phone account at 2 cuc each, and anyone who wanted to, whether or not residing in Cuba, could participate. From the money collected there was no profit percentage for its organizers, since the cost of a single room was 440 cuc and breakfast for two, 60 cuc; giving a total amount of 500 cuc. The draw was held on August 3rd, through the traditional hype, in a visual arts exhibition.
Virgin La Caridad unites us
2013
Performance
Work done in collaboration with the North American photographer Tanya Lucia Bernard. From the series: With all the people and for the sake of a few (2012- 2013). Performative action simulating a religious pilgrimage from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. The journey would be made carrying an image of Virgin La Caridad del Cobre made in papier mache on a craft wheelbarrow. As part of the work, letters of petition will be collected (kept in the interior of the religious icon that served as a large mailbox) and alms deposited by devout persons or not devout of the Virgin. The letters would be deposited in the church of El Cobre and the money would be delivered to a family in Santiago city, affected by Sandi hurricane.
Countless stories surfaced throughout all the way, which was stopped in the city of Ciego de Ávila due to my arrest and seizure of all belongings related to the performance (the virgin, the donated money, letters and so on) for the political and religious authorities of that city.
Dogs go to heaven too.
2012-2013
Performance
Following the traditional vow made to Saint Lazarus, I made an image of the icon in papier mache and wandered through the streets of Havana for two months (until December 17th, the Saint day), collecting alms which I then donated to the National Kennel. The representation of Babalú ayé was presented to a family of devotees, which still is an object of adoration that has promoted a popular myth.
The work lives on- Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara’s San Lazarus
