Sit Lux et Lux Fuit

Between 2008 and 2010 Mauro D'Agati visited Masonic lodges in Havana to take photos of this secret and largelyunseen world. Through D'Agati's images of Masonic meetings, temples, symbols, documents, as well as portraits of theMasons themselves, we gain access to the intricate rituals of Masonic life, which are a blend of the earnest, mysterioustraditions of an elite fraternity and everyday Cuban existence. The Grand Lodge of Cuba holds a special position inFreemasonry circles as Cuba is one of the few Communist nations where Masonry still thrives: today there are 316lodges and more than 29,000 members on the island. The precise details of the workings within a temple may not berevealed to the public, yet D'Agati's photos take us as far as permissible into this fascinating subculture.Mauro D'Agati, born 1968 in Palermo, began working as a professional photographer in 1996, initially covering manySicilian jazz festivals, as well as art and theatrical events. He has contributed to international publications including LeMonde, Stern, and Italian Vanity Fair. Steidl has published D'Agati's Palermo Unsung (2009), and Alamar and NapuleShot, both in 2010.