Photographer to Present Talk on Cuban Collaboration and Book at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A research collaboration between Chip Cooper, noted Alabama photographer and faculty member in The University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences, and Cuban Néstor Martí, a photographer for the Office of the Havana, has resulted in “Old Havana/La Habana Vieja,” a photography book released by The University of Alabama Press.

Cooper will present a talk about his two-year experience of photographing the people and places of Havana titled, “Dance of the Photographers” March 22 at 3 p.m. in room 205 of Gorgas Library followed by a book signing and reception.

Chip Cooper and Néstor Martí began collaborating in 2008, as a result of Cooper’s participation in the Alabama-Cuba Initiative, which has been spearheaded by the College of Arts and Sciences.

The two photographers documented the oldest and most historically rich quarter in Cuba’s capital. Their project originated with a request from Eusebio Leal Spengler, the historian of the city of Havana and the director of the Old Havana restoration project.

Inspired by the work of 20th century American photographer Walker Evans, Cooper and Martí photographed the city side by side, each of them highlighting the spirit of change and renewal underlying the restoration of Havana.

Cooper is an artist-in-residence in the Honors College and a faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences. During his 33-year tenure as director of photography for The University of Alabama, he published “Hunting: The Southern Tradition,” “Alabama Memories,” “Silent in the Land,” “Common Threads,” “Crimson: The University of Alabama,” and “Tin Man.” He has shown his work nationally and internationally, and his photographs are in many museums, as well as private and corporate collections.

Martí has a degree in art history and has studied documentary, advertising and fashion photography. As photographer for the Office of the Havana for more than 10 years, his portfolio includes documentary and press photography as well as patrimonial photography, urban landscapes and portraiture. He has published his work in a wide range of books, magazines and websites.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.