A Group of Forty Spanish Artists Demand that the Chillida Leku Museum Remains Open
SAN SEBASTIAN.- A group of prominent Spanish artists have signed a statement demanding the authorities to intervene to prevent the closure of Chillida Leku Museum in Hernani, because it is a “special place” conceived by “one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century: Eduardo Chillida. “
Among the 40 signers of the document, sponsored by the Foundation Art and Law, features artists such as Eduardo Arroyo, Miquel Barceló, Darío Villalba, Alberto Garcia-Alix, Chema Madoz, Joan Fontcuberta, Martín Chirino, Frederic Amat, Andrés Nagel, and Alfonso Albacete. The artists expressed their “sadness and anger” at the “apathy” of the Basque Government, which “allows the museum Chillida Leku to disappear next January 1st unless we take urgent action to prevent it. ” The document does not mention that Chillida Leku is a private foundation.
- A group of tourist is seen next to the sculpture ‘Lotura XXXII’ by Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida (1924-2002) at Chillidaleku museum in San Sebastian, Spain, 08 December 2010. Chillidaleku museum informed that they will close down on 01 January 2011. Chillida family announced that Sothebys will commercialize a selection of the late artists monumental works to market for the first time since the Spanish sculptors death in 2002. Twelve large-scale pieces conceived for the outdoors will be offered for sale from January through April 2011. EPA/JAVIER ETXEZARRETA.
Those responsible for the museum displaying the work of Eduardo Chillida announced its temporary closure due to the deficit dragged by the private institution.
“Chillida Leku is an extraordinary place, a unique and indivisible, conceived as a work of art by one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century: Eduardo Chillida, it is a work of international significance, it is an essential figure for understanding the history of sculpture,” defend the creators.
The manifesto regrets that Spain, “possesses an exceptional artistic heritage, “not just” not to pay the proper and necessary attention to its best contemporary legacies, but, as in this case,” passive and morose to attend the imminent demise of Chillida Leku, to the disbelief of art lovers from everywhere. “The artists are “concerned” about the “silence” maintained so far by the authorities to the situation of the museum. “Art is not a luxury, even in times of crisis. A country that defends and promotes its cultural heritage, respecting the will and the moral rights of its creators, is contributing to their own survival, ” say the artists, who conclude that “Chillida Leku cannot disappear. “
The forty artists are: Alfonso Albacete, Frederic Amat, José Luis Alexanco, Horacio Altuna, Eduardo Arroyo, Miquel Barceló, Rafael Canogar, Ana Carceller, Martín Chirino, José Manuel Cobo Pérez, Alberto Corazón, Manuel Estrada, José Luis Fajardo, Luis Feito, Joan Fontcuberta, Antonio Fraguas (Forges), Fundación Archives Antonio Saura, Alberto García-Alix, Ferrán García Sevilla, Juan Genovés, Luis Gordillo, Carmen Laffón, Menchu Lamas, Jesús Mari Lazkano, Robert Llimós, Antonio López, Chema Madoz, Andrés Nagel, Antón Patiño, Perejaume, Guillermo Pérez Villalta, Jaume Plensa, Manuel Quejido, Susana Solano, Montserrat Soto, Laura Torrado, Eulalia Valldosera, Valentín Vallhonrat y Darío Villalba.
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