art

Jaume Plensa’s doors are installed at the Liceu in Barcelona

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Jaume Plensa‘s stainless steel sculptural doors stand majestically at the entrance to the Gran Teatre del Liceu, marking a new era for this iconic coliseum on Barcelona’s Ramblas. Although their final installation is still in progress, passersby can already glimpse the magnificence of these monumental structures, each weighing half a ton.

On Tuesday, onlookers witnessed how the three imposing trellises designed by the acclaimed Catalan artist, who has closely supervised every stage of this ambitious project, will look. As the September opening date approaches, coinciding with the expected return of activity at the Liceu, these works of art will be temporarily covered with a tarp, further heightening anticipation among citizens and art lovers alike.

Image of the facade of the Liceu's steel doors

Christened with the evocative name of “Constel·lacions“, these doors represent much more than simple architectural elements. They are a tribute to the Liceu itself, to the music that has filled its halls over the years, to the emblematic grilles designed by Gaudí and to the nearby legacy of Miró, whose mosaic adorns the nearby Pla de l’Os.

But beyond their aesthetic value, the doors also have a practical function: to preserve the safety and integrity of the surrounding space. By preventing people from taking refuge in the arcade at night, these works of art play a crucial role in protecting the environment, as Víctor García de Gomar, artistic director of the Liceu, pointed out in a previous statement. “Sometimes we find ourselves in hell. It is necessary to protect this space so as not to be complicit in things that happen here, from people shooting heroin, people who want to sleep, situations like rape and prostitution“.

Plensa‘s art not only beautifies the Liceu, but also serves as a reminder of the diversity and cultural richness that defines Barcelona’s Ramblas. Made with alphabet letters from diverse cultures, these doors are a symbol of inclusion and respect for the plurality that characterizes this emblematic artery of the city.

In the midst of controversy and discussion about the fate of public space, Plensa‘s doors represent a balance between aesthetics and functionality, between artistic expression and practical necessity. With their placement, it is hoped that the Liceu will not only be a place of artistic excellence, but also a safe and welcoming refuge for all who visit it.

Interior image of the doors of the Liceu

Excerpt from El Periódico and La Vanguardia

James Clar for ISEA 2022 in Barcelona

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ISEA, the International Symposium on Electronic Art, is one of the most important annual events worldwide dedicated to the crossroads where art, design, science, technology and society meet.

The event has been held over 26 times all over the world, and after more than 10 years since it last graced European soil, it touches down in Barcelona. With it comes an enthusiastic international and local community, ready to work together to develop this interdisciplinary field.

From Galeria SENDA we propose James Clar (1979, Wisconsin, EEUU) with two pieces that pay homage to the theme of this edition: ‘Possibles‘.

James Clar installing Half Submerged, 2022 in the mezzanine of Galeria SENDA

The North American artist James Clar, after having studied telecommunications, cinema and animation at New York University, began to experiment with light and television. He developed his own visual systems, transforming pixels on the screen into sculptures. His work stems from the purpose of “digitizing” human, socio-cultural, and political conditions. In this way, he analyzes and observes the effects of the media and technology in modifying human behavior and society, with a focus on our perception of culture, nationality, and identity.

‘Possibles’, the main theme of the 2022 ISEA edition, not only opens up an unfinished world of futures before us, but also presents and pasts behind us.

The ‘Possible’ is openness and movement, a horizon of change that unfolds and organizes the world. The Possible shapes our reality, and precisely for this reason it is a political problem in itself. From “everything is possible” to “being realistic and asking for the impossible”, from an “infinity of possible worlds” to “this is not possible and it is not possible”. Sometimes we are trapped in a world of pre-designed Possibles – “this is everything” – where it seems that nothing could have been left out, there are no alternatives. Sometimes it is living an illusion of freedom in an impossible world where criticism simply disappears. How to open up to contingency, not only to becoming but also to its uncertainty?

James Clar presents two installations that pose the challenge of how to draw new Possibles to come, and not just confirm those that are there waiting to be confirmed, experienced and thought of as Possibles. How can that be brought into existence in our worldview?

How to go from the impossible, the fable or the utopia to directly bite our reality?

– Half Sumberged, 2022

– Cloud Seed, 2022

In the mezzanine of Galeria SENDA from July 1st until the end of the month.

James Clar: Half Submerged

At the symposium you are sure to find exhibitions, workshops, open-air projects, round tables, talks from artists, school initiatives and a variety of other activities, all with the involvement of different organisations and communities from the city of Barcelona.

Behind the Walls, the new face of Plensa at the Rockefeller Center

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Rockefeller Center transforms into a spectacular sculpture park to usher in Frieze Sculpture 2019, a monumental exhibition fusing art and architecture in the heart of New York. From April 25 through June 28, 2019, this iconic building will house a unique collection of twenty stunning works by internationally renowned artists, including Jaume Plensa, Goshka Macuga, Ibrahim Mahama, Joan Miró, Paulo Nazareth, Sarah Sze and Hank Willis Thomas, among others.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is Jaume Plensa‘s imposing sculpture “Behind the Walls“, a 7.5-meter-tall figure of a girl made of white resin, with her hands covering her eyes. Located at the entrance of the Channel Gardens on Fifth Avenue, this work invites viewers to reflect on self-imposed blindness and the need to face reality. For Plensa, the piece is a direct representation of how we sometimes close ourselves off from the world around us in order to feel more comfortable, and he hopes the work will function as a mirror for viewers, prompting them to examine their own lives and choices.

The curatorship of Frieze Sculpture 2019 by Brett Littman, director of the Garden Museum, has succeeded in creating an immersive art experience that attracts visitors from far and wide. Although initially hesitant to place Plensa‘s sculpture in this location, Littman recognized that it was the perfect place for this provocative work, capable of arousing curiosity and introspection in those who view it. In addition to “Behind the Walls“, works by other prominent international artists adorn the surroundings of Rockefeller Center and the various lobbies of the surrounding buildings, creating a cityscape full of art and meaning. This has been thanks to the partnership of Frieze New York and the real estate company Tishman Speyer, which will open the doors of these emblematic spaces to fill them with the monumentality of the twenty pieces on display.

«It’s almost the way I feel every morning», Littman said. «You put your hands over your eyes and think: “I can’t believe we have to deal with another day like this”».

For his part, Jaume Plensa confesses that it is a very direct piece. «On many occasions, we are blinding ourselves with our hands to feel in a more comfortable position». On a personal level, the artist hopes that the work can function to the viewer as a mirror in which «you can look inside yourself and think about your options, your aptitudes, what you are doing in your life». (Quinn, 2019)

From the grandeur of Ibrahim Mahama’s works to the delicacy of Joan Miró’s creations, each piece on display offers a unique perspective on themes ranging from the personal to the political, the spiritual and the social. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of contemporary art and explore the diverse ways in which artists interpret and respond to the world around them.

Frieze Sculpture 2019 at Rockefeller Center is much more than just an exhibition; it is a testament to the power of art to inspire, provoke and transform, and a celebration of the pivotal role it plays in our society. Through June 28, visitors have the opportunity to be part of this unique experience that fuses aesthetic beauty with deep reflection, in the heart of the Big Apple.