Exploring the artistic landscape of Spain: from ARCOmadrid to the heart of Extremadura

The first weekend in March offered us the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in Spain's dynamic art and cultural scene during a three-day art trip. Read the report by one of the participants, our board member and artist Yke Prins.

In a nicely mixed group of artists, curators, art collectors and art lovers, we started our art trip with an exclusive visit to the international art fair ARCOmadrid during the private opening day, which was reserved for trade visitors only.

ARCOmadrid is Spain's international contemporary art fair and has been one of the most important platforms for the contemporary art market in Europe since its foundation in 1982. The fair's focus is based on its historical connection with Latin America. Under the guidance of an expert in the field, we enjoyed a personal introduction to the fair, with a focus on contemporary sculpture. The variety of materials and use of colours was impressive.

I recognised well-known artists such as Tomás Saraceno (during the Sculpture Network Experience to Berlin 2018, I had visited his studio) and discovered new artists.

We ended the first day of the art trip with a lively dinner at our hotel near the fair, which was also attended by two members from Madrid.

The next day we took the bus to our regional destination: Extremadura, a region in western Spain on the border with Portugal. We stayed overnight in Cáceres, one of Spain's UNESCO World Heritage Cities. During a guided tour of the very well-preserved medieval old town, we felt as if we had been transported back to the Renaissance and the Middle Ages.

This was not necessarily a preparation for the tour of the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Helga de Alvear, which followed in the afternoon. This renowned contemporary art museum in Cáceres houses an extraordinary collection of over 3,000 works by leading international artists. 

You enter the building, designed by the award-winning architect Emilio Tuñón, in the medieval city and follow the path down the stairs that lead 25 metres into the modern city. At the top, like the lamp of a lighthouse, a gigantic red chandelier by Ai Wei Wei is displayed on the floor (Descending Light, 2007).

An installation of mirrors and coloured circles by Olafur Eliasson (Echo Activity, 2017) surprised us and made us all play with the incomprehensible reflections.

The museum is a beacon of contemporary art, an unexpected surprise in the rural region of Cáceres, that is well worth a visit.

On the third day, we explored a unique and internationally undiscovered destination: the Museo Vostell Malpartida, a Sculpture Network member institution.

Sculpture Networks' strength is offering special art trips, often based on personal connections of our own members and friends. Anemone Vostell (our coordinator for Berlin, cultural manager and organiser of this art trip) has a long-standing personal connection to the Museo Vostell Malpartida and was keen to organise this experience to share this unforgettable place of art and nature with us.

The Museo Vostell Malpartida near Cáceres is a unique museum dedicated to avant-garde art. It was founded in 1976 by the German painter, sculptor, Fluxus and happening artist Wolf Vostell. Located in the middle of a natural park in a historic wool-washing plant, it combines Fluxus and conceptual art with an impressive landscape and shows works that challenge traditional artistic boundaries.

The director and staff of the museum gave us a warm and personal tour and the best tapa lunch in the restaurant of the Museo Vostell, which we had during our trip!

The politically motivated art of the Fluxus movement seemed to touch on today's political situation more than we would have liked, and made us reflect on the situation in the world today.

Curated by Anemone Vostell, the temporary exhibition ‘BAR DELUXE - The Reversal of the Readymade’, inspired by the museum's renowned Fluxus collection (donated by Gino di Maggio), was explained to us by the artist himself. MK Kaehne explores the tension between art and functionality. By reimagining everyday objects with luxurious design and full functionality, the artist transforms them into industrial-looking works of art that defy practical use and raise questions about the role of art in today's society. During his tour, in which he reflected on the phenomenon of the Fluxus movement, we gained insight into the visualised impressions that his works evoke; they are crafted with meticulous precision, making them thoughtful, beautiful and strangely captivating at the same time.

The last stop on our trip was an invitation to the Palacio de Topete, the former studio and home of Wolf Vostell, an 18th-century mansion. It was a pleasure to learn more about the artist's life with a guided tour by his grandson, Levin Vostell.

He spoke of his grandfather with warm memories and some personal details that gave us a better understanding of the legacy of an important artist.

It was a well-organised and truly inspiring art trip – one of the many extraordinary experiences for which Sculpture Network is known.

What made the trip even more special was the diverse group of participants – artists, art professionals and collectors – whose perspectives and passion enriched every moment of the trip.

Yke Prins wrote the text in English.

Photos Yke Prins and Anemone Vostell.