Exhibitions EXHIBITIONS

The Aldama Fabre Gallery and the Museo La Neomudéjar, with the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Madrid, are pleased to invite you to the “Global 500” exhibition at our gallery.

Opening: June 1, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Plaza de los Tres Pilares, 7 Bilbao

Eugenia Griffero Fabre
Nestor Prieto + Francisco Brives

The cycle is based on the famous Spanish expedition led by the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan to the Spice Islands from 1519 to 1522, during which—unintentionally—the Earth was circumnavigated for the first time; a quantum leap in navigation of immense audacity. However, this also marked the beginning of European colonial violence.

Ten life-size wooden sculptures, such as Juan Sebastián Elcano, the expedition’s leader,
Emperor Charles V, Pope Leo X, women from the Moluccas, and the Selk’nam from Patagonia (who were victims of genocide as late as 1886). Furthermore, the route around the globe, a series of images—charcoal and ash on aluminum—and the five Magellan ships, at the moment when our planet began to grow smaller.
    The portrait sculpture of Cees Nooteboom (a contemporary Dutch-Spanish writer and citizen of the world) serves as an imaginary observer here, weaving the thread into the present. She—the sculpture—may also be pondering why colonialism has taken on a new form in Europe in 2023. A more subtle one. Such as, for example, how NGOs seek to bring about the indirect seizure of European mountain regions, thereby transforming areas currently still inhabited into future hunting grounds for the super-rich. What was it like back then, 500 years ago, with the Spice Islands?
Here, heroes are knocked off their pedestals and replaced by others; what they all have in common is that they are a source of inspiration for a sculptor.

An Artistic Reflection on the First Circumnavigation of the Globe 500 Years Ago

On October 12, 2022, the presentation of “Global ’500” took place at the representative office of the Europe Region Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino in Brussels, attended by high-ranking political representatives.

The series is based on Ferdinand Magellan’s famous expedition to the Spice Islands from 1519 to 1522, during which—unintentionally—the Earth was circumnavigated for the first time; a quantum leap in navigation of immense audacity, but also the beginning of European colonization.

Ten life-size wooden sculptures, including Juan Sebastián Elcano, the expedition’s leader; Emperor Charles V; Pope Leo X; women from the Moluccas; and the Selk’nam people of Patagonia (who fell victim to genocide as late as 1886). Also featured is the route around the globe, a series of images—charcoal and ash on aluminum—depicting the five Magellan ships at the moment when our planet began to appear smaller and smaller.

The portrait sculpture of Cees Nooteboom (a contemporary Dutch writer and citizen of the world) weaves the thread into the present. It—the sculpture—may be pondering why colonialism has taken on a new form in Europe in 2022, how NGOs imbue nature with religious significance and thereby undermine traditional local knowledge, and how they demoralize the people (farmers) who create and preserve cultivated land, driving them to the point of resignation.

The slightly larger-than-life sculptures by the Austrian artist depict King Henry VIII of England, prominent and less prominent figures from his court, as well as the monarchs of the Holy Roman Empire and France. The artist deliberately avoided the traditional portrayal of Henry as a man who married six women and had some of them executed. Instead, through his selection of companions, he presents one of the many power structures within which Henry VIII operated. Thus, there is no shortage of prominent statesmen involved in court intrigues—such as Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, or Thomas Cranmer—nor of important intellectuals who contributed to fascinating debates with the educated English monarchs, such as Erasmus of Rotterdam or Thomas More. The mysterious atmosphere is heightened by the beautiful, lesser-known women in the king’s inner circle. The series concludes with Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who is portrayed as a strong ruler who led England to peace and prosperity and became a legend.

Marking the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the globe by one of Magellan’s ships in 1522, this work offers a glimpse into the beginnings of Europe’s colonial past.

Magellan’s aluminum ships, all armed, plow through a transcendent blue, based on a concept by Dir. Dr. Leo Andergassen.

Here is a report from Rai Südtirol (Kulturzeit) on the exhibition at Tyrol Castle in Merano: http://www.raisudtirol.rai.it/de/index.php?media=Ptv1649881200 (from 02:00 to 08:10)

Montjuïc Castle presents the exhibition "Global 500" in collaboration with the Museo La Neomudéjar and with the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Madrid.

The exhibition has already toured several cities, including Merano, Brussels, Madrid, and Bilbao.

Exhibition dates: 4 August–25 September 2023
Venue: Montjuïc Castle, Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona

Since its founding in 1989, the Zwach-Kunst am Attersee Gallery has offered young, up-and-coming talents as well as renowned international artists the opportunity to showcase their works on Lake Attersee.

In the fall of 2014, Lois Fasching exhibited wooden sculptures and ash-and-charcoal paintings on aluminum backgrounds here.