16 January 2013

Launched today: Havana is the latest AOP exhibition which can be seen online until 13 February. Photographer member Ron Bambridge's personal project explores the old town of Vieja in Havana, Cuba. Bambridge was drawn to a city suspended in a time zone.

Bambridge shares his passion for the city, “The architecture, grand and beautiful, is worn and faded like an old book or piece of period furniture. This decay has somewhat enhanced the beauty of Havana.  Some of the buildings interior colours originally strong, have now faded into wonderful softer versions. Any sunlight that reaches through to an inner courtyard or someone’s apartment complements the soft hues left on the walls. Great architectural detailing is in abundance, even in the simplest doorway. 

Fabulous cars are kept going by sheer ingenuity and determination, as they cannot get any parts from the USA, or much of anything else for that matter. In spite of the problems they have, the people are wonderful, charming and generally happy from my experiences. I was helped many times by some very friendly people, as I like to deliberately get lost when I'm exploring somewhere!”