Country Article / Postcards
Bronzed Beauties in Spain
Date: 08/14/2007
One of the things that I probably love most about Spain in summer is that you can always see people of all ages on the streets at all hours of the day. Walk through any plaza and you'll find grandparents sitting on benches watching their grandchildren play, while at the opposite end, teenagers make weekend plans. Young couples stroll hand-in-hand down the streets stopping at every corner to kiss, oblivious to the roars of laughter and frequent shouts from groups of friends and families gathered around small tables at terrace cafés. And older couples promenade before dinner in their best clothes, to stretch their legs and enjoy the cooler evening air.
Monumental women
Recently, in Valencia, I noticed some exceptionally big and beautiful women spending time in the middle of the palm-tree-lined Gran Via de Marqués del Turia, one of the city's main arteries. On any day of the week, these monumental-sized Mediterranean-inspired women of bronze are lined up waiting to be admired along with another 10 colossal statues as part of an exhibit titled "Manolo Valdés: Esculturas Monumentales."
Manolo Valdés is a Valencia-born artist widely known for his painting and sculpture. In this particular outdoor exhibit, the gaze of his large female bronzes adds tranquility to the many sounds of passing cars, buses, and motorcycles. Although these sculptures take up a lot of space on a busy street, their presence is welcome. An elderly man, who reads the newspaper alone every day here before lunch, now has company… For a mother walking with her young child, "Las Meninas" becomes a way in which her son can practice counting from one to five.
The exhibit is part of a project called "Arte en la calle" sponsored by the Catalonian bank La Caixa, funding the installation of temporary public art in parks and other spaces throughout cities in Spain. It provides an opportunity for city residents as well as visitors to enjoy and interact with impressive artwork.
P.S. These beauties recently moved from Valencia to Palma de Mallorca where they will be until October 15, 2007 on the Passeig des Born. Throughout 2008, they will travel to other cities in Spain. Be sure to check out www.lacaixa.es for updates and more information about the exhibit and overall project.
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