Formas dormidas: Unveiling Abstraction, Chess, and Sculpture in Art History

This exhibition explores the artistic evolution of chess pieces, from their ancient Persian abstract origins to their connection with 20th-century modernist aesthetics. It features four of Spain's oldest chess sets displayed alongside works by artists such as Man Ray, Manolo Millares, and Néstor Baterretxea, highlighting the game's transition from tradition to modernity and from pastime to art.

Chess, often perceived as a game of strategy and philosophy, also possesses a sculptural dimension, with its pieces ('trebejos') evolving into an artistic discipline. The exhibition "Formas dormidas" delves into this rich history, focusing on the abstraction of chess pieces. This formal simplification, initially driven by Persian artisans adapting to Islamic iconoclasm, not only universalized the game by detaching it from specific cultural traditions but also transformed it into a canvas for artistic experimentation. These early abstract pieces resonate with the aesthetics of 20th-century modernism, bridging distant eras through a shared artistic sensibility. The exhibition brings together, for the first time, the four oldest chess sets in Spain, presented as a 'cabinet of curiosities.' These historical pieces are placed in dialogue with works by significant artists including Man Ray, Manolo Millares, and Néstor Baterretxea. Visitors will embark on a journey through boards, pieces, and photographs that illustrate the fascinating transit of chess between tradition and modernity, and between game and art.

Entry to the exhibition is included with general museum admission. Specific ticket prices or booking requirements are not detailed on this page, but visitors are directed to resources like a Spotify playlist and a 'easy reading' guide for the visit.