The hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Mallorca's capital, Palma, instantly go quiet when you enter the doors to El Museu Fundación Juan March (The Juan March Foundation Museum).
The Juan March Foundation is "a family heritage institution" established by financier Juan March Ordinas. The foundation strives to promote culture through art in Spain. The foundation has opened two art museums; one in Palma and one in Cuenca. Both museums are free to enter. Currently, the museum in Palma hosts an exhibition titled "Una historian del rate reciente (1960-2020) II. The exhibition translates to "A history of recent art".
Background
The exhibition fulfills Juan March's mission of diversifying Spanish artistic culture. Juan March, born in Mallorca, was a notorious Spanish tycoon. He was known for his strict allegiance to the Spanish Nationalist side during the country's civil war. He smuggled arms and tobacco and worked as a banker making him the richest man in Spain and one of the wealthiest men in the world. His dedication to philanthropy brought the Juan March Foundation to life. In its earlier days, the foundation focused on creating scholarships but later grew to the hub of art and culture that it is today. March lived from 1880 to 1926. After his death, the Foundation was passed down to his son and then grandson who currently head's the organization. The foundation continues to work to bring culture to Spain without the existence of boundaries that hinder its community from enjoying its art.
The Museum
When traveling to Mallorca, many tend to gravitate towards the scenic beaches, beautiful architecture, or busy downtown shops. Skipping over the Juan March Foundation Museum is a mistake that travelers make all too often. The museum offers a wide variety of pieces that one should take advantage of being able to experience for free. The museum's location being wedged between stores on one of Mallorca's busiest shopping streets, allows it to become a safe haven free from the chaos of the crowded streets. The museum's beautiful architecture and stained glass windows serve as art themselves, but the piece's harbored within the 21 rooms of its latest exhibit are breathtaking. The following is a highlight real of some of the museum's current exhibition's most noteworthy players.
Extructura volante (homenaje a Velázquez) - Flying structure (tribute to Velázquez) - José María (1977)
When you walk into the first room of the museum you are met with a beautiful open room with a marble staircase. Immediately, your eyes fixate on the beautiful hanging structure that floats above the staircase. The piece was done by José María Yturralde in 1977. Yturralde is a Spanish native from Valencia where he received his B.A. and Ph.D. in fine arts from the University of Valencia. "Flying structure" was inspired by kites created in the 70s. The piece is just as breathtaking from the top of the stairs as it is from the bottom. The light coming in from the building's windows perfectly illuminates the structure making it nearly impossible to take your eyes off.
Sin título (Retrato de Luli Kollsman) - Untitled (Portrait of Luli Kollsman) - Salvador Dali (1946)
Portrait of Luli Kollsman is a must-see at the Juan March Foundation Museum. Being able to experience one of Dali's paintings for free is an absolute pleasure. Many consider this piece a highlight of the museum. John and Beverly Davies of Northern England shared their excitement about visiting the museum and getting to see the piece. "We both have been traveling as much as possible since our retirement," Beverly said. "It's a joy to be able to see different places and get to look at historic art pieces. Seeing a Dalí painting will be sure to become a memorable moment from our trip to Mallorca."
La Ventana - The Window - Lucio Muñoz (1963)
"La Ventana" is sure to capture one's attention. The sheer darkness of the piece lets one know that there is a message to be interpreted. The texture of the piece is what speaks the most. Layered wood brings the piece to life. The tortured feel of the piece leaves visitors of the museum thinking. Marisol and Camila traveled to Mallorca for the weekend from Valencia. The girls are friends from school who have always loved art history. "Being able to talk back and forth about our interpretations of the piece is really powerful," Marisol said. "We both found thought "La Ventana" had different meaning so we learned from talking to each other about the piece," Camila said.
Anthropofauna - Manual Millares (1970)
Don't be surprised if you end up spending a prolonged amount of time analyzing Anthropofauna. The collection of drawings seems to tell a story, but the order in which you view the drawings may change your personal meaning of the story. Many of the drawings are quote disturbing, allowing the black and white to emphasize the darkness of the story.
Hombre del Sur - Man of the South - Julio López Hernández (1972)
Located directly under Anthropofauna, the sculpture of "Man of the South" is impossible to miss. The sculpture shows a man somewhat suppressed into the ground. what you as the viewer is left to decide is how he got there. Is he sleeping? dead? Up to you.
Anatomía para un espejo - Anatomy for a mirror - Manuel Rivera (1972)
"Anatomy for a mirror" creates a large captivating optical allusion for all who view it. As you move around the piece, you see the mesh that Rivera used begins to make a rippling effect. Many have likened the work to be similar to shining armor used during the Spanish civil war.
"Anatomy for a mirror" appears to move with the viewer as its texture creates an optical allusion.
Peras - Pairs - Los Bravú (2018)
"Peras" brings modern-day technology to life on a canvas. All of the figures standing in the foreground seem to be somewhat floating due to the lack of detail on the painted ground of the piece. The use of a VR headset painted on one of the girl's questions the role of technology in our daily lives. To contrast this modernity the face of the other girl is painted in a classical artistic style. The way the piece continues into sculptures that seem to be falling off the canvas allows viewers to question the relationship between art and reality. The story keeps going. The story isn't just told in the painting, but rather continues into our own world. It is also important to note the facial expressions that are found on some of the pears. Were they disturbed by being knocked out of the tree by the girl who was wrapped up in virtual reality? Have they themselves entered a different dimension as they've fallen off the canvas and into our own world?
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