Steinert, the Clouds Giver
Mucho se ha hablado de la Nube de Madera que nos dejó el artista alemán, Martin Steinert, en La Habana. Sólo escribe su nombre en el buscador de Google y verás aparecer noticias, opiniones y etcéteras, luego de que esta obra quedó emplazada en una de nuestras plazas del centro histórico de la ciudad. No he mirado más allá de unos datos acerca de estas curiosas creaciones que él se ha dedicado a repartir por el mundo. Pareciera que nos regala una esponja para que la llenemos de energías. Y eso exactamente fue lo que sentí cuando me acerqué a ella.
Hay energías de todo tipo acumuladas en la nube que pudiera descargarse entera sobre ti, si eres de esas personas sensibles, empáticas. Y si la realidad que viven esos miles de cubanos que dejaron su marca en ella te aprisiona tanto o más, pues el impacto de la nube será mayor.
"Vive intensamente, todo lo demás es mentira", se puede leer en una tabla.
Otra persona decidió recordarnos la famosa frase atribuida a Charles Chaplin acerca de la obra de teatro que es la vida.
La vida es una obra de teatro que no permite ensayos. Así que canta, llora, baila, ríe y vive intensamente, antes de que se cierre el telón y la obra termine sin aplausos.― Charles Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin: Interviews by Kevin J. Hayes
Amor, salud, amabilidad para los animales, deseos de que haya prosperidad y paz en Cuba y en todos los rincones del mundo, ganas de viajar junto a la persona amada, paz para esos lugares donde la guerra no cesa, una sugerencia musical también encontré y decía: "Escucha a Björk".
"Que me lleguen las credenciales". Este mensaje en particular me hizo sonreir. Evidentemente es de alguien que está aplicando a la Ley de Memoria Democrática. Deseé que para ese momento en que estuve allí, su trámite hubiera avanzado mucho.
Y más: “Pueden cortar las flores pero no impedir la primavera”, “Ir a una competencia de Sudokus”, “Si puedes soñarlo puedes cumplirlo”… alguien quiere una cámara de video, otro dejó un mensaje muy grosero y pude ver muchos enunciados con los que no me identifico y no quise fotografiar…. Y así es como la nube nos impacta a todos de una manera diferente. Deseos personales, egoístas, desahogo, gritos, mucha compasión, también odio… en fin, todo esto condensado vibra en tu vida, en tu realidad. Y yo redacto estas líneas, muy agobiada ya por las continuas violaciones y privaciones de todo tipo a las que estamos siendo sometidos desde que tengo uso de razón… sin embargo, sé que debo resistir y cambiar esta absurda realidad, modificando algo que permanece en mí y me encarcela con barrotes invisibles.
Así lucía la plaza desde distintos ángulos. Esta obra fue emplazada como parte del gran movimiento artístico que vivió La Habana en esta última Bienal de Arte que se celebró del 15 noviembre 2024 al 28 febrero 2025.
Tiene unos 8 metros de alto y 10 de diámetro esta instalación… es curioso saber que el artista lleva 14 años repartiendo nubes por el mundo, unas 35, según leí por alguna parte.
Voy a quedarme en silencio ahora… te agradezco la visita. ¿Hubieras escrito algo? No tienes que contestar mi pregunta. Puedes responderte a ti mismo/a, y si lo hicieras, qué le pedirías o le dirías a la nube?
Cuando me alejé de la nube… la muchacha se sentó un rato en la Plaza San Francisco, en un escalón de la fuente de los leones, pero la nube todavía se balanceaba sobre ella amenazante. En una esquina un mimo, palomas por doquier, un hombre (un desconocido) acercándose a la muchacha con la cámara para entablar conversación… No se iba, no la dejaba en paz… ella simplemente suprimió todo y se concentró en su historia de palomas y sueños. La imaginación siempre puede desplegar sus alas…
Much has been said about Wooden Cloud, the artwork that German artist Martin Steinert left in Havana. Just type his name into Google, and you'll find news, opinions, and more following its placement in one of our historic city centre squares. I haven’t looked beyond a few facts about these intriguing creations, which he has scattered across the world. It feels as though he has gifted us a sponge to absorb energy—and that is exactly how I felt when I approached it.
There is all kinds of energy accumulated in the cloud that could unleash itself entirely upon you if you are a sensitive, empathetic person. And if the reality experienced by the thousands of Cubans who left their mark on it weighs on you as much as it does on them, then the cloud’s impact will be even greater.
“Live intensely everything else is a lie”, can be read on a wooden board.
Another person decided to remind us of the famous quote attributed to Charles Chaplin about life being a play.
“Life is a play that does not allow testing. So, sing, cry, dance, laugh and live intensely, before the curtain closes and the piece ends with no applause.”― Charles Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin: Interviews by Kevin J. Hayes
Love, health, kindness towards animals, hopes for prosperity and peace in Cuba and every corner of the world, the desire to travel alongside a loved one, peace for those places where war never ceases. A musical suggestion was also found, which said: “Listen to Björk”.
“May my credentials arrive”. This message, in particular, made me smile. It is clearly from someone who is applying for the Law of Democratic Memory. I hoped that by the time I was there, his/her application would have progressed significantly.
And more: “They can cut the flowers, but they cannot stop the spring”,“Go to a Sudoku competition”, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”. Someone wants a video camera, another left a very rude message, and I saw many statements I couldn’t relate to and chose not to photograph.
And this is how the cloud impacts each of us differently. Personal wishes, selfish desires, relief, cries, deep compassion—also hatred. In the end, all of this, condensed, vibrates within your life, your reality. And here I am, writing these lines, already overwhelmed by the constant violations and deprivations we have been subjected to since I can remember... Yet, I know I must resist and change this absurd reality—starting with something within me that remains imprisoning me behind invisible bars.
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This is how the square looked from different angles when I was there. This piece was installed as part of the great artistic movement that took over Havana during the last Art Biennial, held from 15 November 2024 to 28 February 2025.
The installation stands about 8 metres tall and 10 metres in diameter... It's fascinating to know that the artist has been distributing clouds across the world for 14 years—about 35 of them, according to what I read somewhere.
I will stay silent now... Thank you for visiting. Would you have written something there? You don’t have to answer my question. You can answer it for yourself, and if you did, what would you ask or say to the cloud?
When I moved away from the cloud… the woman (let's say the girl) sat for a while in Saint Francis Square, on a step by the Fountain of the Lions, but the cloud still swayed above her, looming. In a corner a mime, pigeons everywhere, a man (a stranger) approaching the girl with the camera to start a conversation… He wouldn’t leave, wouldn’t let her be… she simply shut everything out and focused on her story of pigeons and dreams. Imagination can always spread its wings…
Original content by @nanixxx. All rights reserved ©, 2025.
I haven't heard about this artist and his works, thank you for the heads up. I like the idea of having these wooden constructions in cities so people can express their thoughts, emotions, wishes - so they also become, in a way, the authors of the artwork, right? Some of them even use this work as a place for classified ads for their business/services, omg hahaha 😆
😂 ¡no se te va una! mi🎹
What would the world be without art, without those sensitive people who, like a nightingale, spread their song, their thoughts. Since the caverns, the human being has looked for the way to leave in writing, to capture with any symbol, his passage through this world. I remember that in the bathroom of my high school there was a sign that said: “Juancho se mea la cama” and that mockery was as if it had appeared in all the newspapers of the country. I also hope that the wishes you have written have been fulfilled. One arm, triple X girl
I didn't write there, my wishes are tattooed on my skinxxx. Hahaha... A hug back.
Hi @nanixxx, I'm going to start with the order the publication follows, the text. There is so much humanity in it, and so much sincerity. You mention those invisible bars that are ours, when the comfortable thing is to project everything outside. And you do not forget the external, because to accept is not to resign oneself.
Now I go with that collection of voices that you photographed, a collection that gathers everything human, from the sublime to the coarsest. It did not leave me indifferent.
A big hug.
I hope that by recognising my faults one day I can improve them and if I don't do it excellently, at least a touch....
Thank you my friend for your words. A big hug in return.
I see myself very much reflected in the text... a hug back carefully from here, I remembered your visit to the dentist. 😇
😊😇
I was really impressed to see this, this structure and its phrases, there is so much energy there, so much and so strong, I was shocked. I would add, everything is possible if you think about it.... believe in yourself and you will be invincible!!!
I believe in me, I am invincible. 12:12 on my watch.
Bien hecho!!! son las 18:14 en el mío jajajaja
Bueno, la lentitud de mi conexión no dejó que el comentario saliera justo a las 12:12. Pero al menos puedes ver que se escribió y se sintió en esa hora espejo. 😅
Gracias, @avdesing.
O cuando comenzamos a escribir es una hora y cuando terminamos otra... el espejo vive en tiempos distintos jaja🤗
Prometo escribir en la nube lo primero que se me ocurra cuando vuelva a pasar por ahí 👏
Jess, todas las nubes del cielo tienen tus palabras y siempre descargan sobre ti belleza.
Si puedes soñarlo, puedes cumplirlo, me gusto mucho esa frase. Hay muchos sueños que con empeño se hacen realidad, vamos en busca de nuestros sueños. Bonito domingo, seguro ya me estás extrañando. ♥️
Te extraño Mamani. Te extrañooooo 😀
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I left my message on that cloud 😂 it is as if one shares with the world the longed desire, will it come true? There is a 50% success rate 😅. I loved your post my dear @nanixxx, big hug 🤗.
Ojalá que se te cumpla. Lo pongo en mi lista de deseos, amiga.
Gracias amiga, besos 😂🤗