Helen Martin Glaberson dreams of a trip to the Balearic Islands’ soon-to-be opened sculpture garden, boasting work from various top global artists.
Over the past few years, creative types from around the world have flocked to the coastal village of Deia, Mallorca, attracted by its beauty and bohemian character. It’s this artistic allure that makes Deia the perfect place to host one of Spain’s largest permanent sculpture gardens, according to exhibition host Orient-Express.
Opening on 8 March 2012, a visit to the new park could be incorporated into a great little holiday for art lovers who are also keen to soak up some sun after a long, cold and uninspiring winter.
Spearheaded by the hotel’s sculptor in residence, Juan Waelder, the exhibition will display the works of both up and coming and established global sculptors, showcasing a mix of contemporary and classical pieces placed throughout the grounds of La Residencia, a rustic manor house hotel in Deia.
It all sounds like a real treat for the eyes, set to the backdrop of the Tramuntana Mountains and the twinkling Mediterranean Sea. The collection is split, with some pieces placed on the landscaped front gardens and others dotted along the mountainside around the hotel’s sun-drenched olive terraces.
Comprising of different materials and styles, the sculptures are sourced by Juan himself, who personally decides the positioning of each sculpture to ensure each piece is complemented by its surroundings and vice versa.
Orient-Express says each artist, whether from the artisan local villages or the internationally acclaimed arts scene, is carefully selected for their originality and craftsmanship.
Sculptors include Betty Gold from Austin, Texas whose large abstract geometric influenced sculptures have been displayed in numerous outdoor spaces in the US and Spain. Also featured is Jorge Oteiza, who has had several exhibitions of his work displayed at New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Not to mention New York City native Jedd Novatt, whose sculpture Chaos Mundaka was unveiled as part of London’s City of Sculpture Festival in 2012.
La Residencia said it hopes to eventually grow the number of artists contributing to the exhibition to 52, making it one of the largest sculpture gardens in Spain.
A visit to La Residencia seems like a truly hands on experience, complete with behind the scenes tours and the opportunity to converse with some of the artists, discover their inspirations and explore their studios and works in progress.
Entry to the sculpture garden is free to both guests and non-hotel guests, with all pieces available for purchase.
Once a sculpture is sold, it is replaced by another piece by the same artist to keep a “fresh influx” of sculptures throughout the year. Prices range from approximately £991 to £35,500 for larger exhibits.
