Greg Kahn

Greg Kahn

Havana Youth

Hardcover
11.25 x 8.5 inches
144 pages + additional softcover zine
Edition of 500
Yoffy Press
2019

From the artist:

In Havana Youth, Greg Kahn explores Cubans born after 1989, who have only known a time after the USSR dissolved and left the Caribbean nation with few resources and a growth-crippling, US-led economic embargo. Those kids, born during what is called “The Special Period”, are now in their twenties and developing a sense of individuality in a society that was historically focused on collectivism. This is their cultural counter-revolution, and they are redefining what it means to be Cuban.

Released January 2019

Photographs by Greg Kahn
Introduction by Ariana Hernandez-Reguant

Book review by Francesco Scalici |

In his description of ‘Havana Youth’, Greg Kahn said it best: “The once evolutionary process for cultural identity has jolted like the slip-strike of a tectonic plate”. If I had to describe this body of work in one word, I would begin with Greg Kahn’s understanding of ‘identity’ and his investigation of individuality, uniqueness and freedom.

This latest book by documentary and fine art photographer Greg Kahn explores a radical change of Cuban identity and a somewhat coming of age from Cubans born after 1989. The reign of Cuban dictator ‘Fidel Castro’ marked the nationalization of businesses, many infostructures lost to government property and military contracts and Cuba’s economic, cultural and financial state left dwindling after 1989. With the new Cuban youth born during what was regarded as the “Special Period”, and an economic state that was on the brink of collapse, the lack of identity coupled with an impoverished country meant that Cuba was left in the past and with Castro still very much influencing political decisions after 2008, Cuban identity was very much in a lucid state. A country divided by the extreme ideologies of Fidel Castro and others who resented the promises of a better life he did not deliver. This not only led to various uprisings and riots but divided a nation as Castro believed in the need for reform if Cuban socialism was to survive in a world dominated by capitalist free markets.

The slow re-introduction of western technology and clothing meant that Cuban youth was very much cut off from the rest of the world. A group of young men and women struggling to find an identity within their own community. As Kahn quotes ‘Miguel Leyva’ a fashion blogger living in Havana: “Clothes have a strong connotation here, like a journalist writing an article against the government... it means to be free”. Kahn’s ‘Havana Youth’ is not only a testament to cultural change but a beautiful investigation of the individuality of the characters growing up during this “Special Period”. Kahn’s images express life in a culture that seems to adore dancing and all things street. A youth that is now clinging to the creative arts in order to express themselves and much like the environment around them, adopt clothing that similarly reflects old and colourful Cuban buildings.

Here we have a project that showcases the Cuban culture as it is now, the importance of community and youthhood and a culture that is new in expressing their individuality. Greg Kahn has beautifully captured the simplicity of Cuban life and the importance of clothing as something symbolic and personal. His portraits are specifically interesting because of how neutral they are, even when the entirety of an image is engulfed in one colour. When I look at Kahn’s photographs, I automatically associate the individuals to their nationality (specifically in regard to the nightlife images and street dancing). This diversity of life in a community that was once repressed has exploded and has become a country of mixed media! A country where the old and new coalesce in so many different ways.

One of the main elements of this project that I find particularly strong is how Greg Kahn has captured an array of portraiture, street photography and in some cases architecture. His interactions with different aspects of Cuban life has similarly resulted in a collection that mimics the youth of today. A collection of images that do not follow a specific narrative, but rather tackle the ‘individual’ in different settings. As he states:

“This is their counter-revolution. And they are redefining what it means to be Cuban”.

One image that particularly speaks to me is that of a person standing on top of a derelict building, overlooking the busy motorway and the city ahead. A combination of old and new cars litters the road as the image looks as if pulled from the 80’s yet with elements of the modern world shining through. A truly interesting image, symbolically and narratively. There seems to be an emphasis on a culture that loves every corner of their street and wants nothing more than to be outside and gathered together. I truly believe that this collection does do justice to Cuba’s youthhood and successfully showcases the trends and influences these young adults are adopting and interpreting.