Espacios Ibsen

Creative Producer & Lead Curator

2013–2017, Havana, Cuba

A Cuban–Norwegian festival and laboratory platform commissioning new work and convening public dialogues on performance and society.

Overview

In partnership with the Embassy of Norway in Cuba, Espacios Ibsen brought together, for five years, performances, exhibitions, labs, and public dialogues, using Henrik Ibsen’s legacy as a lens for contemporary Cuban inquiry and exchange. The platform fostered experimental approaches and emerging voices in the performing arts across multiple venues in Havana.

Origins & Frame

In 2013, we launched Espacios Ibsen, Jornadas de teatro cubano-noruego (Cuban–Norwegian Theatre Days), pairing public programming with the Laboratorio Ibsen, a performance research-driven space for social experimentation. Open showings, workshops, and forums linked creative practice with debate and community engagement.

Program Highlights

Built an independent platform for emerging Cuban voices, integrating festival programming with the research-driven Laboratorio Ibsen.
Launched InVitro, a showcase for young theatre-makers pairing premieres with public debates and cross-disciplinary encounters.
Commissioned and produced new work alongside workshops, exhibitions, and salons that linked artistic practice to social inquiry.
Deepened Cuban–Norwegian exchange through residencies, co-productions, and knowledge-sharing among artists and institutions.
Expanded citywide, multi-venue presence, activating public dialogues and engaging diverse audiences across Havana.
Developed open-lab and forum formats that convened artists, scholars, and communities; documented learnings for circulation.
Strengthened partnerships with key cultural entities (e.g., Embassy of Norway in Cuba, Consejo Nacional de las Artes Escénicas, Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht, Fundación Ludwig de Cuba).
Implemented a care-centered curatorial framework prioritizing accessibility, experimentation, and mentorship for early-career artists.

Components & Methods

Festival Platform — Multi-venue programming (performance, exhibitions, dialogues) for local audiences and international guests.
Laboratorio Ibsen — A platform for research and practice, presenting open labs and socio-aesthetic investigations.
Emerging & Experimental Focus — Dedicated showcases amplifying new voices and formal innovation.