design magazine

Article by Tania Droggitou
Posted on January 15th, 2013
in Architecture & Los Carpinteros

The Guiro Art Bar is a perforated egg shaped installation, designed by the Havana based team of Los Carpinteros in collaboration with Absolut Art Bureau, as a contribution to the 2012 Art Basel Miami Beach Show.

The name Guiro refers to a traditional Cuban musical instrument which is made out of the shell of a dried tropical fruit. The same word is also used as a street term in Cuba to mean a celebration,a gathering to eat and drink or to party.

The open slatted shape of the design together with its centrally placed bar, is a favourite theme of Los Carpinteros, that of control, power and surveillance. The optimum viewing point in the space is the bar, from there, the barman can scan and control the events and even see what is happening beyond the limits of the space through the all round openings, a similar system as those used in prisons, schools and other institutions.

During the evening hours the bar adopts another identity when illuminated, its bright lights attract visitors to sample an Absolut cocktail while they enjoy live music, performances and happenings.