Required Reading: Michael Dweck: Habana Libre

Image via Complex Original

Michael Dweck's illuminating portrayal of Cuba's creative class, Michael Dweck: Habana Libre, brings to light the country's secretive social order. In a "classless" society, Dweck's subjects are leaders. They are also beautiful, elegant, and international.

He captures glamorous models, skaters, and renowned artists, and each image is more powerful than the next. Most importantly, Dweck, who studied fine arts at the Pratt Institute, has an eye for seductive angle. His is the perfect lens through which this compelling story is told.

Michael Dweck: Habana Libre succeeds in opening up a new world and exposing a hidden part of Cuban society.

MICHAEL DWECK: HABANA LIBRE
Interviews by William Westbrook
Published by Damiani editore, Italy
290 pages, 21 four-color plates, 214 duotones plates, 3 gate-folds
Hardcover, jacketed, 9.75 x 12.5 inches
ISBN 978-88-6208-184-9
Retail: $65.00
Publication date: October 1, 2011 (US); November 1, 2011 (International)
Edition size: 3000

Head to the gallery to view portions of  Michael Dweck: Habana Libre in full glory. All photos credited to Michael Dweck.

Yari at Don Congrejo

Yari at Don Congrejo for a Kelvis concert, 2:33 a.m. Habana, 2009.

Tropicana

Club Tropicana dancer, 12:30am. The Tropicana opened in 1939 and is still shaking. Habana, 2010.

Steamy Night

Avenida de Los Presidentes on a still, humid evening. Habana, 2009.

Skaters 2

Hanging out on Avenida de Los Presidentes. Habana, 2010.

Rachel and Friend

Giselle Karina Bacallao Moreno and Rachel Valdes (painter, artist, muse) going for a spin on the Malecon. Habana, 2009.

Playing on beach

The outdoor shower at Club Habana is a good gathering spot in the late afternoon. Club Habana (when it was the Havana Biltmore) was a popular club for wealthy Cubans and Americans, offering yacht racing, golf, baseball and tennis. Today the ambience is still there, but the activities less so. Habana, 2010.

Legs

The bar at the Hotel Melia Cohiba. You would imagine she is waiting for a tall, handsome Latin man. You would be right. Habana, 2010

Javier and Januaria

Two lovers in a basement elevator not going anywhere soon. Verdado, Habana 2009.

Ibis

Ibis Gonzales at the Nacional Hotel. As recently as a few years ago Cubans were not allowed in the hotel except as workers. Habana, 2010.

Januaria Atlantic

Januaria at the Atlantic. Habana, 2009.

Fabula

On set of director Lester Hamlet’s new film, Fabula, with Alicia Hechvarria, 3:00a.m. Habana Viejo, 2010.

Concert

The Peace Without Borders Concert in Revolution Square. Over 1mm people in 98 degree heat gathered to hear music and speeches. Juanes, Miguel Bose, Silvio Rodriguez, Olga Tanon. Habana, September 2009.

Breakdown

Javier and Januaria suffer a breakdown, both the car and the relationship. Habana, 2009.