Island of Sculptures explained

Island of Sculptures
Native Name:Galician: Illa das Esculturas|italic=no
Spanish; Castilian: Isla de las Esculturas|italic=no
Mapframe-Zoom:13
Location:Pontevedra, Spain
Coordinates:42.4394°N -8.634°W
Area:7ha
Created:1997 (Park); 1999 (Sculptures)
Operator:City Council of Pontevedra
Status:Public park

The Covo Island, better known as the Island of Sculptures or Illa das Esculturas in Galician, is a park and island located near the mouth of the Lérez River, in Pontevedra, Spain. It has an area of 70000m2[1] where twelve granite sculptures by international artists are displayed. It is the largest and most important open-air permanent exhibition in Galicia,[2] and one of the most important in Spain.[3]

In the island are displayed, among other, a 2m (07feet) high labyrinth by Robert Morris,[4] a 5m (16feet) high pink granite menhir by Ulrich Rückriem, and a floating house on the river by Francisco Leiro.[5] The island is connected to both banks of the river by footbridges and pedestrian bridges, and its aquatic fauna includes ducks and carps.

History

The island was formed in the river from the sediments transported by the Lérez River deposited there because the river is already very close to sea level and loses its strength to carry these sediments away. At first, an intertidal plain was formed, but the Lérez found this obstacle on its way to the ria and sought another alternative route, thus opening a channel on the right side.[6]

The island remained in the wilderness until 1997, when it was transformed into a park.[7] Later, a project for the development of this space was carried out, with the creation of contemporary artworks by twelve internationally renowned artists,[8] [9] which took as their central theme the granite of Galicia and the relationship of man with his environment. This is the most important example of land art, a trend in contemporary art, in Galicia. The project was officially inaugurated on 29 July 1999.[10]

Description

The island, which has been declared a protected natural area,[11] is almost a kilometre long[12] and has an elongated shape. It has an area of rushes, meadows, a main path and secondary paths. Three wooden bridges cross the inner canal[13] and a cable-stayed footbridge over the Lérez River connects it to the Paseo del Lérez. On the island there are twelve granite sculptures by international artists.

On the island come the tides and it is used by many birds as a breeding ground. It is a protected area declared LIC (place of community interest).[14] Located near the Pontevedra Campus, the island is also used by many people as a place for walking or sports training.

Sculptures

The international authors and their sculptural works present on the island are:[15] [16] [17]

The Spanish artists and their works are:[23]

See also

Bibliography

Related articles

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 23 September 2020. Du Pays Basque à la Galice, sur les pas des artistes contemporains. Beaux Arts Magazine nº436. fr.
  2. News: La Isla de las Esculturas atisba su redención. El País. es. 22 January 2011 . Carbajo . Primitivo .
  3. Web site: La Illa das Esculturas saldrá del ostracismo. Diario de Pontevedra. es. 4 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Un laberinto granítico de Robert Morris redondea la Illa das Esculturas de Pontevedra. El Mundo. es. 19 February 2000.
  5. Web site: 1999: La escultura flotante de Francisco Leiro volcaba en el Lérez sin sufrir ningún daño. La Voz de Galicia. es. 21 July 2019.
  6. Web site: 16 March 2020. Desmontando Pontevedra. CRTVG. gl.
  7. Web site: es. Pontevedra recupera las márgenes del río Lérez. La Voz de Galicia. 24 July 2018.
  8. Web site: 2 January 2004. La Illa das Esculturas espera su turno. La Voz de Galicia. es.
  9. Web site: 23 June 2008. El ciclo del Museo acerca hoy la provocadora obra de Jeff Koons. El Diario Montañés. es.
  10. News: 29 July 1999. 12 artistas crean en Pontevedra una Isla de Esculturas. El País. es . Carbajo . Primitivo .
  11. Web site: 15 July 2015. Parque Illa das Esculturas en Pontevedra. El Mundo (Spain). es.
  12. News: 30 April 2021. Doce museos al aire libre en España (más una sorpresa submarina). El País. es . Campos . Andrés .
  13. Web site: 4 May 2011. La Illa de Esculturas recupera sus pasarelas. La Voz de Galicia. es.
  14. News: La Isla de las Esculturas atisba su redención. El Mundo. es. 22 January 2011 . Carbajo . Primitivo .
  15. Web site: 15 July 2015. Parque Illa das Esculturas en Pontevedra. El Mundo (Spain). es.
  16. News: 29 July 1999. 12 artistas crean en Pontevedra una Isla de Esculturas. El País. es . Carbajo . Primitivo .
  17. Web site: 19 January 2006. Las esculturas de A Illa sufrieron más de 500 ataques desde 1999. La Voz de Galicia. es.
  18. Web site: 15 June 2021. A Illa das Esculturas, un museo al aire libre en Pontevedra. El Español. es.
  19. Web site: 15 June 2021. A Illa das Esculturas, un museo al aire libre en Pontevedra. El Español. es.
  20. Web site: 10 February 2023. La trágica historia del único artista que se negó a visitar su obra dedicada al amor en la Illa das Esculturas. Pontevedra Viva. es.
  21. Web site: La Illa das Esculturas saldrá del ostracismo. Diario de Pontevedra. es. 4 March 2022.
  22. Web site: 21 February 2022. Falece Dan Graham, escultor da 'Pirámide' do parque da Illa da Esculturas. Diario de Pontevedra. gl.
  23. News: 29 July 1999. 12 artistas crean en Pontevedra una Isla de Esculturas. El País. es . Carbajo . Primitivo .
  24. Web site: 3 May 2021. La Batea de Leiro vuelve a tierra. La Voz de Galicia. es.
  25. Web site: 15 June 2021. A Illa das Esculturas, un museo al aire libre en Pontevedra. El Español. es.