Chillida Leku discusses prominent works by Braque, Calder or Giacomentti in 'Univers Maeght'

Chillida Leku inaugurates Univers Maeght which hosts outstanding pieces by artists such as Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Pau Palazuelo, Julio González, Jean Arp, Barbara Hepworth, Antoni Tàpies, Joan Miró or Marc Chagall.

Organized in collaboration with the Marguerite and Aimé Maeght Foundation and the Eduardo Chillida – Pilar Belzunce Foundation, the exhibition is one of the first milestones in the program commemorating the centenary of Eduardo Chillida's birth. "Univers Maeght will allow Eduardo Chillida to celebrate his birthday, next January 10, 2024, surrounded by his friends at Chillida Leku", emphasizes Mireia Massagué, director of Chillida Leku.

The sculptures that are part of Univers Maeght, the first international collective held in Chillida Leku, come from the Maeght Foundation, whose collection of sculptures is one of the most important in the international scope. "My family is delighted, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth, to surround Eduardo [Chillida] again with the works of the artists he was able to work with when he came to Saint-Paul de Vence, in France, with his family . The friendship between my grandparents and my parents and this great artist and his wife Pili lives on in my generation. I consider them an integral part of my family. How many summers we spent together when Eduardo and my father Adrien were working, in particular, on Chillida's engravings and chamota clay!” points out Isabelle Maeght, administrator of the Maeght Foundation.

"For Chillida Leku - continues Mireia Massagué - it is very important to collaborate with an institution that was key in the development of Eduardo Chillida's work. Bringing Hernani sculptures from top-level artists with whom he collaborated is a milestone that makes us deeply happy."

From Calder to Barbara Hepworth, the history of 20th century sculpture with a total of 17 pieces, the 11 artists on display have significantly marked the history of 20th century sculpture and help us better understand Chillida's work and put - it in the historical and artistic context.

The exhibition begins outside the Zabalaga farmhouse with Morning cobweb (1969), a monumental sculpture by Alexander Calder that will dialogue with Jean Arp and other sculptures by Eduardo Chillida. In addition, this piece, which allows you to step inside and experience the space and lightness of this 7-ton work, will remain at Chillida Leku throughout the year. Inside the farmhouse, the exhibition continues with works by Chillida, Alberto Giacometti, Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Juli González, Barbara Hepworth, the only female artist in the exhibition, Pablo Palazuelo and Georges Braque. The last part of the exhibition presents works-objects related to the use of what is everyday and the magic of Antoni Tàpies or the painted poetry of Marc Chagall.

Univers Maeght, which can be seen at Chillida Leku until next April 14, 2024, arises as a tribute to the Maeght foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence (France) and presents the work of artists who, in in Solana's words, "they shared the atmosphere of creation, utopia and freedom that was breathed in the Foundation, especially in the summer, when the place hosted all kinds of cultural events".