Marbella
Marbella may be known primarily as a holiday resort, a sun, sea and sand destination for northern Europeans flocking to enjoy a taste of the privileged Mediterranean lifestyle, but beneath the hedonistic exterior beats an artistic heart, which takes you closer to the town’s Andalusian soul, says Louise Cook Edwards.
Marbella has grown and expanded from its humble origins as typical Andalusian fishing village, thanks to its aristocratic connections. In the ‘50s Prince Alfonso Von Hohenlohe fell in love with Marbella and opened his home as the now legendary Marbella Club Hotel – making the town a fashionable meeting point for the world’s jet-set, royalty and glitterati. Arab sheiks, mingled with models, actresses and business tycoons and their magnificent villas and super yachts were the scene of lavish parties, making Marbella internationally renowned as a luxurious holiday destination. Today, evocative black and white photographs of this golden age can be seen at the Marbella Club Hotel adorning the walls of the MC Cafe. Among the celebrities featured with Prince Alfonso are Bridget Bardot, Adnan Kashoggi and Sean Connery, whose wife Micheline is an artist, famous in her own right.
And with such extravagent homes and lifestyles, it is natural that some of Marbella’s residents are serious art collectors – among them Juan Abelló, Proprietor of Vodafone, Mr Meulensten, owner and founder of the Danubiana Meulensten Art Museum, Bratislava Slovak, and not forgetting Baroness Tita Thyssen, owner of one of the most priceless collections of art worldwide, some of which is housed at the Thyssen Bornemizsa Museum in Madrid.
Experiencing two major property booms in the 70s and 90s, Marbella is now home to a floating international population of an estimated 250,000 foreigners, who have flocked to the resort to enjoy a slice of the privileged lifestyle on offer to all – millionaire or not; palm-fringed paseos, jazmin-scented patios, and a relaxed rhythm, with properties and leisure options to suit all pockets. With dozens of golf courses, restaurants, beach clubs, bars and nightclubs, Marbella is a mecca for leisure, and the international community bring a unique flavour to the town’s cultural initiatives, including exhibitions, concerts, festivals and galas.
A Magnet for Artists
The town’s privileged southern location, and delicious light, are universally appealing – affording long-leisurely days – and balmy summer nights – but it is the sun and shade, sol y sombra which have made Marbella a magnet for artists from far and wide. Drawn to the colour and drama of the Andalusian culture, the beating heart of flamenco, the movement of la corrida, or bullfight, and the brilliant hues of the natural landscape, and the power of popular culture and fiestas, Andalusia provides an alluring backdrop in which to paint, draw, take photographs and create.
Among some of the more celebrated artists who have chosen to make Marbella their base are Pepe Morales, Renato Casaro, Félix Muyo and the son of the celebrated Prince Alfonso himself, contemporary photographer, Hubertus Hohenlohe.
Appreciating Art in Marbella
Marbella has a selection of art musuems and galleries, and over the years, the town has played host to a superb array of art exhibitions, in public and private galleries. The works of world-renowned artists have been shown in Marbella, among them: Renoir, Chagall, Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Goya, David Lachapelle Robert Mapplethorpe, Chema Cobo, Curro González, Zan Huang, Jean- Michel Basquiat and Robert Silvers.
The very location of the Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella in the Avda del Mar, is on the site of a series of sculptures by the king of surrealism, Salvador Dalí, bought during the 10 years that extravagant Mayor, Jesus Gil y Gil governed Marbella.
Zurab Tsereteli's Victory Statue (1996), Puerto Banus
At the time, the town acquired several other sculptures including La Victoria, a 25 metre high bronze sculpture of a man by celebrated Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli. The eye-catching work located at the entrance to Puerto Banús was a gift to Marbella from the Mayor of Moscow. In 2007, the artist won the UNESCO Picasso Gold Medal.
Just a few streets away from the Alamada where the FIAM takes place, is the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, which houses rare and privileged etchings by major artists including Picasso, Miro and Tàpies. The museum is housed in the former Bazán hospital, a white-washed building in the heart of Marbella’s historic centre and the contents traces the history and development of the art of engraving from the 15th century to the present day.
The permanent collection includes a wide variety of media, from etchings and aquatints to copperplates and woodcuts, illustrating the versatility and variety of engraving art. The permanent exhibition has works by famous artists, such as Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Tapiés, Saura, Goya, Miquel Barceló, Urculo, Millares and Miró, amongst others. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, presenting the work of contemporary local and national artists.
The Museo Cortijo Miraflores was built on the foundation of the Convento de Nuestro Padre Señor San Francisco, dating back to the 18th century. The gardens feature rare plants and trees from the Philippines. Recently restored to become a library, and show room for exhibitions, the Cortijo Miraflores has shown works form the Baroness Thyssen’s private art collection, and drawings and designs by internationally celebrated, Marbella-born fashion designer David Delfin.
The Houses of Art Marbella, is a modern gallery located at the Marbella Club Hotel on the Golden Mile. Exhibiting the works of outstanding works by contemporary international artists including modern Dutch master, Gerti Bierenbroodspot, and Nicholas de Lacey-Brown, winner of last year’s Young Artist’s competition at the 1st FIAM, and former contestant on Sir Alan Sugar’s TV show, The Apprentice.
* One of the longest established galleries in Marbella, the Sammer Gallery, in Puerto Banús represents a superb array of artists.
* El Catalejo Art gallery was founded in 1994 as an extensión to the II Cannocchiale gallery which has been in Milán since 1964, offering works by some of the most important artists in the world from Picasso to Miró, from Hartung to Afro, Capogrossi, Morandi, De Chiricó – artists who have contributed to the making of the history of art.
* In the foot hills of Sierra Blanca, one of Marbella’s most exclusive residential areas, Arte Wanson Gallery can be found. The sister gallery to an impressive installation at the Westin Hotel in the trendy city of Valencia, this gallery carries an impressive range of artists, including sculptor Huang Gang, painter Jose Carlos Guerra and photographer Jill Furmanovsky.
Poligono Gallery is an exciting new art space in the heart of Marbella’s industrial estate. Established last year, this innovative gallery is specialized in exciting international artists, particularly contemporary Chinese artists and photographer
* The Marb Art festival at the Palacio de Congresos will have its 6th edition in September 2010. One of the leading art events in Marbella, this fair held indoors at el Palacio de Congresos, serves as an international forum for all forms of artistic expression.
* DB International Art Gallery on the Golden Mile represents a number of leading artists from the Scottish Academy of Art as well as celebrated painter, Peter Howson, plus a wide range of alluring artists.
* Punzmann Gallery, San Pedro (closed during road works) shows works by resident artist, Nina Nolte, and gallerist Thomas Punzmann showcases the works of Spanish artists at prestigious galleries in Europe, Asia and US.
Major Art in the Capital of Malaga
Marbella belongs to the province of Malaga, a city that is increasingly high profile in terms of art. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, art fans can visit the house he was born in, the Casa Natal de Picasso Museum in the Plaza de la Merced or peruse the city’s very own Museo Picasso Malaga - which features several hundred works by the prolific artistic genius – on loan from Picasso’s heirs - as well as visiting exhibitions of works by artists relevant to Picasso’s life and work – gleaned from around the world.
Malaga is also home to the CAC Malaga (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo) that showcases the crème de la crème of international contemporary art. Among recent exhibitions have been controversial conceptual artist Tracy Emin and celebrated American photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, non-confirmist painter, Eric Fischl, and Gilbert & George with their Jack Freak Pictures.
Major news for the art world in Málaga is the announcement that the city will have a sister museum to Madrid’s Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Baroness, Carmen Cervera has been to Malaga on several occasions to oversee the project which will be named the Museo Carmen Thyssen Bornemisza, and which is due to open at the end of 2010. The museum will house several hundred works by great masters including Sorolla and Zurbarán.
