Some small matchboxes by the Argentine group Mujeres Públicas, the iconic “Shark” by the Czech David Černý and a piece by the Chinese Ai Weiwei are some of the works that the Museum of Forbidden Art in Barcelona (Spain) houses since this Tuesday.
Promoted by the Spanish collector Tatxo Benet, the museum is presented as unique in the world, created from its collection of more than two hundred works acquired since 2018, which have in common that they were censored, prohibited or denounced for political, social and religious at some point.
In about 2 thousand square meters you can see works ranging from the 18th century to the present, from some of Goya’s “Caprichos” or a drawing by Gustav Klimt to Pablo Picasso’s “Suite 347”, as well as photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe, Andy Warhol’s “Mao”, Eugenio Merino’s “Always Franco” or Jani Leinonen’s “McJesus”.
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In this first exhibition, 42 pieces are exhibited, among which also stand out “Filippo Strozzi in Lego” by Ai Weiwei, “Roland Garros Poster” by Miquel Barceló, “Western and Christian Civilization” by León Ferrari, “Smiling Copper” by Bansky and “Not dressed for conquering/HC04” by Ines Doujak.
Benet recalled that it all started with the acquisition of the work “Political Prisoners in Spain” by Santiago Sierra, which was withdrawn from the ARCO fair in Madrid in 2018.
Later, he acquired three more works that had been censored, but “I had no idea starting a collection.”
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However, he started surfing the internet and came across “Silence rouge et bleu” by Zoulikha Bouabdellah, a sculptural installation made from thirty Islamic prayer rugs, with thirty pairs of stiletto shoes, and which was removed due to fear. to adverse reactions from the Muslim community.
It was then that he did consider continuing to acquire works that had been censored, at a time when “he was unaware that there were no collections or museums dedicated to them.”
“I found that there was nothing and I started buying, talking to experts who told me that a collection like this would be something very unique, different and that I should find a way to show it,” he revealed.
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He put together the collection in a short time, while “the museum has taken a lot to make, finish and open.”
Benet believes that the “museum honors the circumstance of being unique in the world, with a very original presentation.”
The director of the museum, Rosa Rodrigo, stressed that works will be exhibited that have been “removed from dialogue with society, which is the main objective of artistic work,” and the new space will seek to “amplify voices, generate stories.”
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2023-10-24 21:44:37
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