b-inspired Art Events
M.C. Escher exhibition, Drassanes
An interactive exploration of the Dutch artist
Escher was an artist who was profoundly influenced by visiting the south of Spain at the beginning of the 20th Century, specifically the palace of La Alhambra in Granada. The largest exhibition of his work ever to be assembled together is now open to visitors in Barcelona. It is located in one of the city’s most magnificent buildings.
The Sala Gran de las Drassanes Reials is a new exhibition space connected with the Museu Maritím de Barcelona, originally constructed as the Royal Ship Yards, located next to the Moll de la Fusta in the Raval. It has a separate access which connects with the sunken courtyard / garden where the terrace of the main museum opens outwards, on Av. de les Drassenes. The inaugural exhibition is M.C. Escher (1898 - 1972) the Dutch artist who is mostly recognised for his playful perspectives and mathematical inspired graphic art. The space is perfectly suited to explore this artist given its vertiginous height and repetitive stone arches under which more than 200 individual exhibits are accommodated in this spaces measuring 1,700 sq.m.
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M.C. Escher; Sky and water - 1938
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The Escher exhibition is one where taking a mobile phone is actually encouraged, most of the pieces are lithographs, woodcuts and mezzotints, so taking photos is not a problem. There are several built installations included in the exhibition that invite visitor participation, and others where ‘selfies’ can be taken recreating a more personalised vision of Escher’s perspective defying artworks. Interactive screens and wall displays (with gel provided) ensure that kids will be engaged as well as adults. The variety of graphic media through which Escher worked over his career and reflected in the exhibition includes calling cards, album covers, magazine covers and murals for public buildings as well as the more familiar media.
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The pieces are arranged chronologically showcasing the influence of Escher’s travels to Spain and Italy on this early figurative work, while later works become more concerned with abstract perspective, geometry and mathematics. The final area examines Escher’s influence on later graphic works and art within contemporary popular culture, including cinema, fashion and advertising.
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Curated by Mark Veldhuysen, CEO of the M.C. Escher Company, and by Federico Giudiceandrea, Italian collector and renowned expert on the artist, ESCHER is produced by Arthemisia, Evolucionarte and the Consorci de les Drassanes de Barcelona, in collaboration with The M.C. Escher Foundation, with the support of the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Provincial Council with the participation of RolDigital.
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From April 29th till Spetember 26th 2021
