Pero Nunca Aparaciste

These images were taken during my travels to Cuba in 2016. I was struck by the effects of incomplete promises of those in authority, both pre and post Bautista and Castro. While exploring the abandoned buildings of Instituto Superior de Arte founded by Castro in 1976, I found this spray-painted inscription—“Papi- te esperé aquí mil veces pero nunca apereciste”—and considered it a perfect expression for what I had observed. In the English language it loosely translates to “Daddy - I waited for you here a thousand times but you never showed up.” I don’t know to whom this was written or for what purpose, but it has stayed with me ever since.