Ediciones Vigía
1985-2011

These films are coming soon.

Located in Matanzas, Cuba, Ediciones Vigía was an independent publishing house. Their books were handmade using collaged, repurposed materials, and were created by artisans who volunteered at the press. Rolando Estévez Jordán, chief designer and draftsman of Vigía, and Alfredo Zaldívar, a Cuban poet, co-founded Ediciones Vigía in April of 1985.1 Vigía originally opened as a space for writers and artists to gather and discuss their work. The group began creating single-sheet flyers that advertised meeting times for interested artists, and eventually they evolved into a book publishing house. Estévez, Zaldívar, and Zaldivíar’s successor, Agustína Ponce Valdéz, along with their colleagues comprised of writers, artists, and volunteers, have been working collaboratively since 1985 to publish handmade books that combine art, literature, and movable parts as exemplified in the books featured on this site. Today, the artists and volunteers at Vigía are recognized internationally for their ability to creatively repurpose materials and craft unique, interactive works of book art that feature the work of both Cuban and non-Cuban writers and poets. -- Ediciones Vigía: An Introduction

Cordones Cook Films on Ediciones Vigía

All films are directed and produced by Juanamaría Cordones-Cook.

1. A One-of-a-Kind Book by Estévez (2012), ca. 14 minutes long with English subtitles. Filmed with Imágenes del Caribe company. The conception and creation of an art-object book on the poem "Amo a mi amo" / “I Love My Master”, by Nancy Morejón. Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud3nQamdxUY&feature=relmfu

Un libro único de Estévez  (2012), ca. 14 minutos con subtítulos en inglés. La concepción y creación de un libro-objeto de arte sobre el poema "Amo a mi amo" de Nancy Morejón.  

2. Havana on Display, a Design by Estévez / La Habana expuesta, un diseño de Estévez (2012), ca. 21 minutes long with English subtitles, on anthology of poetry by Nancy Morejón, edited by Juanamaría Cordones-Cook. Direction and production by Juanamaría Cordones-Cook. Comment: the design of a book to be reproduced 200 times by the craftsmen and women of Ediciones Vigía as presented by Rolando Estévez Jordán. Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-s31h75Kw&feature=relmfu

3. Ediciones Vigía: Visual Poetics (2012), ca. 51 minutes long with English subtitles. Filmed with Imágenes del Caribe company. The development and evolution of the press, the production of a Vigia book as well as interviews with Vigía craftmen and women, and numerous other outstanding Cuban intellectuals who have been involved with press from its inception, such as poet laureate Nancy Morejón, composer Marta Valdés, art historian Adelaida de Juan, anthropolgist Ruth Behar, among others. Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK-dYtsXPmU

Ediciones Vigía: Poéticas visuales (2012), ca. 51 minutos con subtítulos en inglés. El desarrollo y evolución de esta casa editorial, la producción de un libro de Vigía y las entrevistas con los artesanos de la editorial y varios otros prominentes intelectuales que han estado vinculados a la casa editorial desde sus inicios, tales como la poeta Nancy Morejón, la compositora Marta Valdés, la historiadora del arte Adelaida de Juan y la antropóloga Ruth Behar, entre otros.

4. Vigía: Entre la imagen y la palabra / Between the Image and the Word (2012), ca. 98 minutes long with English subtitles. Filmed with Imágenes del Caribe company. A brief panoramic view of the evolution of Ediciones Vigía by its main artist and designer Rolando Estévez Jordán.
 
5. Ediciones Vigía (1985-2011): Opening Archives (2013), ca. 7 hours and 30 minutes long with English subtitles. Filmed with Imágenes del Caribe company. Comment: Vigía’s principal designer and artist, Rolando Estévez Jordán, chronologically discusses the entire collection of books, while highlighting technological developments and changes, as well as innovations in aesthetic languages. This documentary is an audiovisual archive of 27 years of Ediciones Vigía book production. Not a complete record but close. Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zAELtCdjKs4

Ediciones Vigía (1985-2011): Abriendo archivos (2012), ca. 7 horas y 30 minutos  con subtítulos en inglés. Comentario: El artista y diseñador principal de Vigía Rolando Estévez Jordán presenta cronológicamente toda la colección de libros, a la vez que va destacando cambios en la tecnología e innovaciones estéticas. El film es un archivo audiovisual de 27 años de la producción de libros de Vigía. No incluye el 100% de los libros pero se aproxima.