This multi-episode exhibition at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum highlights five decades of contemporary Basque art from 1973 to 2023. Visitors can explore a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia works that reflect public space and artistic evolution. The display celebrates the opening of the institution's restored 1970 building and newly expanded architectural spaces.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Ataria (bat) at Bilbao Fine Arts Museum in Bilbao
Entitled 'Ataria'—referring to an atrium, prologue, or threshold—this exhibition surveys five decades of contemporary art from 1973 to 2023. It showcases works that engage with the cultural memory and artistic evolution of Bilbao and the museum itself, marking the opening of the institution's newly renovated and expanded spaces.
Ataria (bat) serves as an expansive look at the evolution of art and public space in Bilbao over the last fifty years. By revisiting projects created between 1973 and 2023, the exhibition revives the cultural memory associated with the museum and the surrounding city, functioning as a threshold for the institution’s newly restored 1970 building and its modern architectural extensions. The exhibition assembles a wide range of media including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and sound installations, reflecting the vitality of the Basque art scene. Notable works featured include Agustín Ibarrola’s restored 'Euskadi 1977-1979' mural, scale models of Richard Serra’s 'The Matter of Time,' and projects by artists such as Eduardo Chillida, Itziar Okariz, and June Crespo. Through successive episodes, the display highlights the public and expanded nature of contemporary artistic practice, weaving together historical narratives with the ongoing development of the museum's role in the city.
The exhibition is located on floor 0 of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, with access from Chillida Square. Visitors are encouraged to check the official museum website for admission and booking details.
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