
Spain gears up for year-long celebration of surrealist Joan Miro
Miro, who died in 1983 aged 90, was a giant of the surrealist movement, known for his playful, abstract paintings with bright geometric forms and doodle-like calligraphic lines.
The Joan Miro Foundation, which he established in a purpose-built modernist structure on top of a hill in Barcelona in 1975, now houses a vast collection of his canvases, sculptures and other works.
The institution is planning a year-long series of events to mark the half-century, ranging from exhibitions and concerts to a sunrise visit to its hilltop building.
"In these 50 years, we've gone from being an artist's dream to becoming a cultural reference point in Barcelona and around the world," said foundation director Marko Daniel.
The foundation traces its roots back to the early 1970s, when Miro -- then living in the nearby island of Mallorca -- sought to reconnect with his native city by creating a centre for contemporary art studies.
His close friend, architect Josep Lluis Sert, designed the distinctive white-concrete building nestled on Montjuic hill, overlooking Barcelona.
The foundation opened quietly on June 10, 1975, at Miro's request to avoid an official ceremony during the final months of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship.
A more celebratory inauguration followed a year later, after the dictator's death.
The anniversary celebrations kick off on Wednesday with the opening of an exhibition of photos, press clippings and architectural plans which trace the institution's evolution over the years.
The foundation will open its doors on Sunday at sunrise to allow visitors to experience the building bathed in the light of dawn.
"Miro left us not only a building, a unique institution, and a remarkable collection, but also a way of seeing the world," said Daniel.
US ties explored
One of the highlights of the anniversary will be the opening in October of "Miro and the United States", an exhibition examining the surrealist artist's connections with America -- a relationship less documented than his ties to France.
Miro visited the United States seven times between 1947 and 1968, and the show will feature works by American icons such as Louise Bourgeois, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko alongside the Spanish artist's own pieces.
Two people walk past Joan Miro's sculpture titled "Personnage" (1970) as they arrive at the Fundacio Joan Miro art museum in Barcelona, on June 7, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP)
After its Barcelona run, the show will travel to the Phillips Collection in Washington DC in March where it will remain on display until July 2026.
"This will become the most important exhibition on Miro ever held in the United States," said the foundation's director of artistic programming, Ana Ara.
Next year the foundation will carry out a major reorganisation of its permanent collection, with more interpretive material added to help visitors understand how the artist conceived each piece.
"We want to place the visitor right in the moment when Miro was creating these works," Ara said.
Miro initially drew inspiration from artists such as Vincent van Gogh or Paul Cezanne before developing his own unique style.
French writer Andre Breton, leader of the surrealism movement, once called Miro "the most surrealist of us all".
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Local Spain
a day ago
- Local Spain
Spain gears up for year-long celebration of surrealist Joan Miro
Miro, who died in 1983 aged 90, was a giant of the surrealist movement, known for his playful, abstract paintings with bright geometric forms and doodle-like calligraphic lines. The Joan Miro Foundation, which he established in a purpose-built modernist structure on top of a hill in Barcelona in 1975, now houses a vast collection of his canvases, sculptures and other works. The institution is planning a year-long series of events to mark the half-century, ranging from exhibitions and concerts to a sunrise visit to its hilltop building. "In these 50 years, we've gone from being an artist's dream to becoming a cultural reference point in Barcelona and around the world," said foundation director Marko Daniel. The foundation traces its roots back to the early 1970s, when Miro -- then living in the nearby island of Mallorca -- sought to reconnect with his native city by creating a centre for contemporary art studies. His close friend, architect Josep Lluis Sert, designed the distinctive white-concrete building nestled on Montjuic hill, overlooking Barcelona. The foundation opened quietly on June 10, 1975, at Miro's request to avoid an official ceremony during the final months of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship. A more celebratory inauguration followed a year later, after the dictator's death. The anniversary celebrations kick off on Wednesday with the opening of an exhibition of photos, press clippings and architectural plans which trace the institution's evolution over the years. The foundation will open its doors on Sunday at sunrise to allow visitors to experience the building bathed in the light of dawn. "Miro left us not only a building, a unique institution, and a remarkable collection, but also a way of seeing the world," said Daniel. US ties explored One of the highlights of the anniversary will be the opening in October of "Miro and the United States", an exhibition examining the surrealist artist's connections with America -- a relationship less documented than his ties to France. Miro visited the United States seven times between 1947 and 1968, and the show will feature works by American icons such as Louise Bourgeois, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko alongside the Spanish artist's own pieces. Two people walk past Joan Miro's sculpture titled "Personnage" (1970) as they arrive at the Fundacio Joan Miro art museum in Barcelona, on June 7, 2025. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP) After its Barcelona run, the show will travel to the Phillips Collection in Washington DC in March where it will remain on display until July 2026. "This will become the most important exhibition on Miro ever held in the United States," said the foundation's director of artistic programming, Ana Ara. Next year the foundation will carry out a major reorganisation of its permanent collection, with more interpretive material added to help visitors understand how the artist conceived each piece. "We want to place the visitor right in the moment when Miro was creating these works," Ara said. Miro initially drew inspiration from artists such as Vincent van Gogh or Paul Cezanne before developing his own unique style. French writer Andre Breton, leader of the surrealism movement, once called Miro "the most surrealist of us all".


Local Spain
3 days ago
- Local Spain
Artists skip Spain's Sonar festival in support of Palestinians
In an open letter posted on social media, more than 60 artists -- including Arca, Asia, DJ Paquita Gordon, and Shaun J. Wright -- accused the private equity firm KKR of being "fully complicit in the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza". Sonar -- which will be held in Barcelona this year June 12-14 -- is one of around 80 global events operated by Superstruct Entertainment, which has been majority-owned by KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) since October 2024. The artists are urging the festival to sever ties with KKR and to adhere to the principles of the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to financially pressure Israel into ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories. BDS accuses KKR of complicity in "Israel's genocide and colonial apartheid regime", citing the firm's stake in German media group Axel Springer. That group owns Israeli classifieds site Yad2, which BDS says features listings for real estate projects in occupied Palestinian territories. The Sonar festival said on its website that the 2024 acquisition of Superstruct shares by KKR and other investors was "purely financial" and that Sonar had no say in the transaction. "We categorically condemn the genocide of the Palestinian people," the festival said in a statement, adding: "At no time have we ever sent -- nor will we ever send -- a single euro to KKR." Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, a member of the far-left Sumar alliance, voiced concern last month over what he described as KKR's involvement in Spanish festivals and its business activities in "illegally occupied" Palestinian territories. "We do not want a fund that actively contributes to the illegal occupation of Palestine to have a role in our cultural life," he told reporters. Contacted by AFP in New York, KKR did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state in May 2024 in a coordinated decision slammed by Israel. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is one of the most outspoken critics in the European Union of Israel's military operations in Gaza.


Local Spain
18-05-2025
- Local Spain
Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with opera-techno fusion
After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel -- whose participation drew protests -- on 357 and Estonia on 356. "Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true," 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said after his triumph in the Swiss city of Basel. "Love is the strongest force in the world. Let's spread more love," the Austrian-Filipino singer said. " Wasted Love" saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno. His Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish. His performance, broadcast in black and white in 4:3 ratio, captivated viewers around Europe. "What a fantastic success! My warmest congratulations on your victory," said Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker, adding: "JJ is making Austrian music history." The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt also issued a message of congratulations to JJ on Facebook. "What an incredible moment -- Filipino pride on the European stage!," it said. Celine Dion no-show The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held at Basel's St. Jakobshalle, packed with 6,500 excited ticket-holders dressed to the nines while 36,000 others watched a live transmission in a nearby stadium. An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand. Twenty-six countries were in contention, with 11 having been eliminated in the semi-finals during the week. Basel had been abuzz all week with rumours that Celine Dion might make an emotion-laden appearance as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome. The Canadian superstar, now 57, launched her international career by winning Eurovision 1988, while competing for Switzerland. But in the end, she did not appear. "We have been in contact with her through various channels and regret that ultimately it was not possible to include her in the show," Eurovision organisers told AFP. "We send her all our best wishes and, above all, good health." Sweden had long been the bookmakers' hot favourite to win in Basel with the comedy trio KAJ's sauna song "Bara Bada Bastu". But they finished fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France as JJ scooped up the microphone-shaped trophy. Albania, Ukraine and Switzerland rounded out the top 10. Israel protests As the televotes came in, Israel held the top spot until, right at the very end, the public votes for Austria gave the Alpine nation the right to host Eurovision next year. Israel's participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza. Israel's entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds. During the performance of her song "New Day Will Rise", loud whistles could be heard and two people tried to get on stage. "At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint," a Eurovision spokesman told AFP. They were taken outside and handed over to police, he added. Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows were exchanged and officers deployed tear gas. Ahead of the final on Saturday, Spain's public broadcaster defied the organisers to air a message in support of Palestinians -- despite being warned to avoid references to the Gaza offensive. 'Ich Komme' The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe's different musical scenes. They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats. Estonia's wobbly-legged Tommy Cash finished a close third with his cod-Italian " Espresso Macchiato" song. Finland's Erika Vikman -- who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic " Ich Komme" -- was hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone. Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first performance. The Netherlands' competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song "C'est La Vie". French singer Louane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song "Maman", with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time. And Malta's Miriana Conte finished her diva big number "Serving" by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball.