A work by plastic artist Michel Mirabal will accompany the Cuba team to the fifth World Baseball Classicwhich was flagged this Friday at the Latinoamericano stadium, in Havana.
The work, inspired by the Cuban flag —one of the thematic axes of the creation of Mirabal— and in the rounded shape of a baseball, it’s printed on jerseys that players on the island will wear as part of their gear at the event.
The delivery of the sweaters by the artist took place this Friday after the flag-raising act, which was headed by island authorities, according to review the official site Hit.
In this regard, the sports publication noted that the work “will accompany the team as a symbol of Cuban identity.”.
It is an original piece, created especially for the occasion, as the artist himself revealed to OnCuba. Not only does it appear on the pullovers —of which there are two models, one blue and the other white, and they have Mirabal’s signature on one sleeve—, but it will also be used in the Cuban broadcasts of the World Classic and was already present on the program television in which the official roster of the group was announced.
“For me it is a great pride that a work of mine can represent my country in an event as important as the Classic, with such relevance and international coverage. So when they proposed it to me I said yes right away, with great pleasure”, commented the creator.
Although they are not part of the official uniform of Cuba in the tournament, the jerseys may be used by the players and the coaching staff in other activities during the event and also in the previous tour that the team will carry out in Japan and Taiwan, where They will carry out several preparation stops.
Mirabal told our outlet that he felt “very happy” with the acceptance of the jerseys and the work in particular by the players, and assured that it was a donation from him to the Cuban team for the Classic.
“With the same impulse with which I did the work, I took advantage of the fact that some friends of mine came from Europe, with whom I am working on a project for the Venice Biennale, and I commissioned them to make the pullovers there, and I paid for them myself, I sent them to be printed in Spain, and then they brought them to me”, he explained.
“Inder was willing to do it, but time was not long and these things about payments, about funds, require approvals that can take time. That’s why I wanted to do it myself, so that everything would come out as quickly as possible, and forward”, explained the artist.
“I did not receive anything in return nor do I want to receive it,” he confirmed. It’s a great source of pride for me, plus it’s also a great promotion for my work, so I wanted to make sure it was on time.”
Mirabal does not hide being a baseball fan and tells of his satisfaction at being able to personally meet several of his idols, thanks to the creation of this work.
“I had the opportunity to be in the program in which the team was announced and there they introduced me to the players, the coaching staff, and it was very funny because I was trying to take photos with them, with figures as great as Despaigne, like Kindelán, and it turns out that they also wanted to take pictures with me. That gave me great satisfaction, because I am a fan of theirs, for everything they have done and what they represent for baseball and for Cuba. It was very cool, ”he told OnCuba.
Regarding the possible performance of the island team in the World Classic, the creator stated that he was expectant and hopeful.
“I think that for the first time in many years we have a team that can fight, with players who have a lot of quality and experience in international events, plus those who have joined. Hopefully it will be like that, because the opponents are very strong. I think we could have had a better team, but it seems to me that we can fight with those who are there and play a good role. I have that hope, ”he emphasized.
Born in 1974 in the Havana neighborhood of Key West, Michel Mirabal is one of the most recognized Cuban artists today. Throughout his career he has exhibited on numerous occasions inside and outside the island, and his works are exhibited in public spaces and are part of private collections in different countries, including the United States.
