Celebrating the Centenary of the Basque Sculptor
The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) opened a significant exhibition on August 2, commemorating the centenary of Eduardo Chillida’s birth. Titled “Eduardo Chillida: Convergencia,” this exhibition is the most extensive dedicated to the Basque sculptor in the United States in nearly half a century.
About Eduardo Chillida
Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002) was a renowned Basque sculptor, known for his monumental works that often explored the relationship between humanity, material, and space. His art is characterized by a deep philosophical approach, drawing inspiration from nature and its elements.
The Exhibition
“Eduardo Chillida: Convergencia” features over 85 works, many of which have never been displayed together in the United States. The exhibition includes sculptures made from materials like forged iron, oak, alabaster, and clay, along with drawings and paper works that highlight Chillida’s versatility and formal depth.
- Key pieces include the monumental wooden sculptures from the series “Abesti Gogorra” (Canto Rudo), which have not been exhibited together since 1966.
- The exhibition also showcases iconic works from the “Peine del Viento” series, reflecting Chillida’s interest in negative space, light, and the interaction between art and natural elements.
Significance of the Exhibition
Roxana Velásquez, the SDMA’s executive director, emphasized Chillida’s work as a testament to the harmonious relationship between humanity, material, and space during the exhibition’s opening.
“Chillida’s work is a testament to the harmonious relationship between humanity, material, and space.” – Roxana Velásquez, SDMA Executive Director
Velásquez also highlighted the sensory and philosophical dimensions of Chillida’s art, noting his dialogue with musicians and thinkers like Johann Sebastian Bach and Martin Heidegger.
Immersive Experience
A highlight of the exhibition is a virtual reality experience that transports visitors to the original site of “Peine del Viento XV” (1977), Chillida’s emblematic installation on the cliffs of La Concha Bay in San Sebastián, Spain. This immersive proposal allows the audience to explore the convergence of steel, sea, and sky, vividly bringing Chillida’s dynamic forces to life.
Program and Collaboration
The inaugural program included an Art Party on July 31 and a ticketed talk on August 1 by Mikel Chillida, the artist’s grandson and director of development for the Chillida Leku Museum. The SDMA also published a high-level catalog featuring texts by architect Lord Norman Foster, conductor Gustavo Gimeno, philosopher Ana María Rabe, and SDMA curator Rachel Jans.
Cultural Relevance and Impact
Presenting Chillida’s work in San Diego is significant not only for the project’s magnitude but also its deep cultural relevance. Known for its artistic diversity and dynamism, San Diego provides an ideal context for showcasing an artwork that constantly dialogues between art and nature, material, and space.
The exhibition also serves as a bridge between America and Europe, allowing the U.S. public to learn about Chillida’s trajectory and the spiritual, philosophical, and aesthetic richness of the Basque tradition.
Through collaboration between SDMA, Chillida Leku Museum, and collections like the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Guggenheim, and Chicago Art Institute, “Eduardo Chillida: Convergencia” gains historical significance within the international contemporary art circuit.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is “Eduardo Chillida: Convergencia”? It’s a major exhibition at the San Diego Museum of Art celebrating the centenary of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida’s birth, featuring over 85 works.
- Who is Eduardo Chillida? A renowned Basque sculptor known for monumental works that explore the relationship between humanity, material, and space.
- What makes this exhibition significant? It’s the most extensive Chillida exhibition in the U.S. in nearly half a century, highlighting his deep philosophical approach and connection to nature.
- What is the immersive experience in the exhibition? A virtual reality installation that transports visitors to Chillida’s “Peine del Viento XV” site, vividly bringing his dynamic forces to life.
- Why is this exhibition relevant for San Diego? The city’s artistic diversity and dynamism provide an ideal context for showcasing Chillida’s work, which constantly dialogues between art and nature.
