Article published in El Periódico
Since this Sunday, several areas of the parish of Escaldes-Engordany have been filled with sculptures by the artist Jordi Díez Fernández. It is the exhibition ‘El trànsit. Crònica d’un camí’ (Chronicle of a path), which consists of new steel works placed next to a large granite stone, a material native to the country and that serves to forge the connection between the street and the piece of art. The creations will be on display throughout the summer, until September 29th.
With the human figure as the backbone of his work, the sculptures chosen by Díez represent a journey through three fundamental stages of a path: separation, transition and incorporation. However, the artist has defended that “art is an open premise” and that the public can have a different vision from the one he has established.
The tour begins with a turn to the Veedors street, symbol of the necessary strength to make a step forward and acquire more wisdom. It continues a little bit further with a tennis player, symbol of hard work, discipline, sacrifice… In short, the search for perfection. And the lovers of steel, which would be the last straw of separation or the fact of leaving a known and safe environment to enter an unknown one. The first thing that takes place along the way is, precisely, the dissolution of the ego, symbolized by this loving couple and by the disappearance of the self and the conversion into a greater and unique unit, fruit of the union between two people who complete each other.
If we continue the way, at Carlemany Avenue and Parc de la Mola we can find some caps, which play with the concept of ‘blind eyes’ to reflect an eternal look. They want to represent a symbol of authenticity with what is being done. Precisely, the border, another of the sculptures installed in the Parc de la Mola, is the one that represents the transition to the transition, as explained in statements to the media Jordi Díez, which is the stage where we leave behind what we know and recover the state of surprise. The artist has personified this instant in a female figure that, with apparent confidence, invites to enter this section, that is to say, the path.
Returning to Carlemany Avenue, the public will find a tribute to Lita Cabellut, which is that moment of the journey when there are no more references and the figure floats calmly, detached from the earth; and also with the Quod Agis Age, which is clearly identified with a Christ in the creed, but ascending, without being defeated, but triumphant.
Finally, in the incorporation, the sculpture of the Winged Man in the middle of Plaça Santa Anna shows that the road is over and they are a bit more savvy, as an offering and at the same time, very friendly. It refers to a new person, where only the most authentic thing is kept.
The Escaldenc community is considering keeping one of the sculptures
The Escaldes-Engordany community was looking for a figurative art for the exhibition, in line with the figure of the gel lady. “Quickly they will be pleased and enchanted” said the Councilor of Culture, Salomó Benchluch, referring to the work of sculptor Jordi Díez. Benchluch wanted to emphasize that it is the first time that so many works of Díez are united in the same exhibition on the street, which has been designed exclusively for the parish of Escaldenca. Now, the communal team is evaluating whether to keep any of the sculptures. The councilor acknowledged that it was not the initial idea, but now it is an option that is on the table and that everything depends on the economic offer that the artist’s team makes them. Salomó Benchluch has explained that within the item destined to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the parish, there is a small fund that could be used to buy one of the creations.
In fact, the exhibition ‘El trànsit. Crònica d’un camí’ has been ceded by the author, so that the community of Escaldes-Engordany has only had to pay for transport, insurance and granite, which amount to about 13,000 euros. The exhibition will be completed, on September 22, with a workshop for children and a guided visit to the sculptures by Jordi Díez. For the older ones, on the same day, the author will offer the lecture ‘What I know about art: what it is and what it’s for’, with the aim of explaining the meaning of art in real life.
