Cultural and humanitarian projects to help obtain social justice

 

 

 

The Brownstone Foundation was created in October 1999 to support and accompany social and humanitarian projects in favor of cultural and educational development.

 

 

 

 

NEWS

 

 

The Brownstone Foundation is honored to be the sponsor of the La Colmenita’s Goodwill Tour to the US in October 2011.
La Colmenita is an extraordinary Cuban children’s theater group funded in 1990 in La Havana.
La Colmenita theater group is an Ambassador of the UNICEF.

LA COLMENITA - US Tour - October 2011

More infos and details on US TOUR

http://lacolmenitacuba.com/

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Brownstone donation Exhibitions Tour in Cuba :

Academia de las Artes "Vicentina de la Torre" du 14 au 21 septembre 2011
Centro Provincial de Artes Plasticas du 21 au 28 septembre 2011

 

Works on paper by Josef Albers, Alechinsky, Hans Bellmer, Alexander Calder, Carlos Franqui, Dado, Jean Dewasne, Marcel Duchamp, Errò, Donald Judd, Gottfried Honegger, Edward Kienholz, Roy Lichtenstein, Marisol, André Masson, Roberto Matta, Juan Mirò, Olivier Mosset, Louise Nevelson, Camille Pissaro, Robert Rauschenberg, Georges Rouault, Peter Saul, Robert Lindner, Sol Lewitt, Pablo Picasso, Antonio Tapies, Edouard Vuillard, and Andy Warhol.

Presentation of the Brownstone Donation at the Museum of Fine Arts and at the Lam Centre, Havana Opening 25 February 2011

"For the love of art, for the love of Cuba"
If you had to give a name to the collection donated by the Foundation that bears my name and my family’s, perhaps the most appropriate title would be ‘For the Love of Art, For the Love of Cuba’. I have never defined myself as a collector, insofar as the works I have possessed or which I still possess have always been waiting for me to find a museum or institution able to conserve them and put them on public display. Most of all, what I’ve looked for in art is the beauty of human thought. I acquired most of these pieces during my years as an art history student, then as a curator and director of museums and galleries. As a result, this donation now represents the sum of my academic and profesional experiences. It is my History, and I wish to share it in a spirit of solidarity with the Cuban people – a people I defend.
I first went to Cuba in July 2001, on the advice of the Vice-Minister of Culture who helped me gain a deeper understanding of the progress made by Cuban art by visiting art schools, in particular the San Alejandro Fine Arts Academy and the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). I quickly understood what constitutes the strength of Cuban education, art and culture, on this "little" island exposed to so many difficulties imposed by the USA.
Today I am not sure I am a socialist, in my youth I was fundamentally an anarchist. In a sense I still am today, but most of all I’m a humanist. I’ve lived, and above all travelled, enough to know that one can be certain of nothing. But I can state without hesitation or equivocation that the Cuban people are unequalled in their ability to appreciate all forms of art. The educational thrust of the Revolution was radical and profound, as was its determination to allow the people to acquire artistic experience. This led it to make the country’s finest artwork visible, and to recruit and train talented people. So despite certain mistakes and a certain dogmatism, and despite the deprivations suffered by the Cuban people, a single-minded determination to make education and art accessible to all has given the Cubans unparalleled knowledge and sensitivity and an incredible popular enthusiasm for culture. Not to mention the freedom, courage and irreverence of Cuban artists, and their deep attachment to their country and its future. The process of revolution has undeniably cultivated a sense of respect for justice and cultural dignity.
Since 2001, I have made more regular and frequent visits to Cuba, and have gained a better understanding of the country’s contradictions. I now have many true friends there, including artists, teachers, and promoters of culture. Responsible and honest people, they work tirelessly with the Foundation as their ally, constantly enriching Cuba’s heritage and offering its population more and more opportunities to see, hear, and experience art and culture.
For the love of art I am convinced that the works that make up this donation are being placed in good hands. They are generous hands: those of the Cuban people.
For the love of art, and of the artworks that have been my life’s companions, I dedicate this donation to Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino, Fernando Gonzales and René Gonzales.
Even if you don’t believe me, I can tell you that my most precious treasures are two gardenias and... you. And to quote from a poem by José Marti: “tomo a un buen amigo sincero y pongo a un lado el amo...” and I add with deepest respect... y el arte.

Gilbert Brownstone, February 2011
Preface to the catalogue for the Brownstone Donation exhibition