The press media were waiting at Ifema. North Gate. in front of the booth Helga de Alvearwell-known German gallery owner and friend of the Kings. Philip VI y Joy have officially inaugurated the ARCO Contemporary Art Fair. At 12:00 in the morning of this Thursday, February 23, the Head of State and his wife have opened the procession in the space of The country, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the newspaper’s presence at the fair. They have seen the work of Edgar Plans Perez. Pavilion 7. There have been five information points in an hour and a half visit. These are the anecdotes.
It is the great appointment of the Kings with avant-garde art and one of the most important acts of the year in the cultural agenda of Don Felipe and Doña Letizia. The circumstance occurs that in 2022, in the lobby of the fairgrounds, they told us that the King was canceling his visit due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Twelve long months later, the war continues and is very present in this contest.
The royal tour has continued through the space dedicated to the Mediterranean, which this year inspires the official motto of this artistic event. ‘A round sea’. From the Berlin Capitain Petzel, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia have passed through the space of the gallery owner David Zwirnerwhich exhibits two impressive pieces by the Madrid sculptor Juan Muñoz. They were also scheduled to visit the large space It’s never the same. Latin American art.
The anecdote has come from the hand of TVE. Letizia has rediscovered her old profession and “her program of hers” Weekly report, which is present at the fair for its 50th anniversary. Passing by the Spanish Television stand, the Kings have coincided with White Dove, who will represent us at Eurovision. The artist, ready to improvise her song, asked the Queen if she would like to listen to it: “I would love it”, she told her.
Another anecdote, with the gallery owner Juana de Aizpuru, with an exhibition space in Seville since 1970, on Canalejas street. The Kings have spoken with Aizpuru, who has greeted the monarch with affection. Felipe VI received the greeting with a smile, while he held his arm.
The statue of Picasso, a millionaire Chillida and Mediterranean culture
It was discussed whether the official tour of the Kings would have included any of the most photographed pieces of this contest. For example, the impressive and hyper-realistic sculpture ‘Picasso died here’, which shows the inert artist from Malaga, dressed in a sailor-striped shirt (at the DNA stand of the groundbreaking Eugenio Merino). This, in full anniversary for the 50th centenary of his death. Or a tiny room to shelter refugees, which is lined with images of Guernica, the work of Eugenio Ampudia, in the Max Estrella gallery. Picasso again. A whole metaphor of peace about the cruel war in Ukraine. More works to photograph: ‘Crying women are angry’, by Orlan. Series dedicated to the lover of the universal from Malaga, Dora Maar. Or the Chillida ‘Untitled’, made of 1.5-ton steel. Valued at 3.7 million euros (at the CarrerasMúgica stand). Finally, these pieces were not included in the official visit.
The ARCO Foundation also presents a rest area, designed by La Californie, where visitors can contemplate the House-Workshop that bears the name of the decadent Mediterranean town on the Bay of Cannes where the author of Les senoritas de Avignon lived. Picasso again.
Brilliance and splendor: 211 galleries
ARCO has recovered its brilliance and splendor. Pre-pandemic figures have been reached with a fair that houses 211 galleries. Eclectic and colorful atmosphere with paintings, sculptures and photographs leading the way. The different plastic disciplines join hands at the great cultural event in the capital, which this year is consolidated on the international stage thanks to the enormous presence of galleries from 36 countries. This 42nd edition can be visited until Sunday, February 26.