Eduardo Chillida's Monumental Artworks Arrive at La Térmica
A major new exhibition dedicated to the legendary Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida is set to open, transforming the industrial spaces of the cultural center. Running from July 3, 2026, until January 10, 2027, the showcase titled Eduardo Chillida. Pensar con las manos invites visitors to experience a unique dialogue between heavy industry, space, and fine art.
This extensive exhibition features 125 works, representing one of the most significant cultural offerings at the venue. Organized by the Ciudad de la Energía Foundation (CIUDEN), the project brings together a diverse selection of sculptures, paper works, and documentary materials.
Experiencing Art Inside an Industrial Landmark
The exhibition has been designed specifically to interact with the unique architecture of the Condensadores Room. Rather than a standard touring gallery layout, the presentation utilizes the raw, metallic environment of the former industrial facility to echo the themes of Chillida’s work. Visitors can wander through a space where iron, steel, and empty voids highlight the material memory of the site.
The selection of materials—ranging from corten steel and iron to delicate paper and granite—directly connects with the history of energy and industrial transformation. Curated by art historian Dr. Alicia Vallina, the exhibition focuses on the core concepts that defined Chillida's career: gravity, space, limits, and the vacuum.
Masterpieces and Monumental Sculptures on Display
Among the 125 items on display, visitors can observe a pair of incredibly massive creations. "Consejo al espacio VIII" (2000) is a towering corten steel sculpture weighing over 21 tons, marking only its second indoor exhibition in Europe. Alongside it sits "Lo profundo es el aire XVII" (1997), a four-ton block of pink granite imported from India that showcases the interplay of light and rough stone.
In addition to these heavy installations, the exhibition includes:
- Small and medium-scale sculptures made of alabaster, chamotte clay, and iron.
- Over one hundred works on paper, such as sketches, collages, and the artist's famous "gravitaciones" (gravitations).
- Archival photographs and the 1985 documentary film A Portrait of an Artist, which sheds light on the sculptor's creative philosophy.
Planning Your Visit to the Exhibition
Access to this landmark exhibition is entirely free of charge, aligning with the goal of making world-class art accessible to the general public.
Opening Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00 to 16:00
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 to 22:00
- Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00
Visitors can also participate in an ongoing visitor experience study conducted in partnership with researchers from the University of Navarra, adding an interactive element of cultural mediation to the gallery journey.
To make the most of your cultural journey and stay updated on the latest events in the area, check out Musemap (musemap.art). Discover more highlights by exploring the local museums list, finding new exhibitions on the what's on page, or navigating the city's cultural landscape using the interactive map view.
