Public Monument (2024)

set piece and bridge added onto public monument
645 x 550 x 480 cm

The statue of former Spanish warlord Espartero is taking in quite a big chunk of public space in Logroño’s city park. Such a big surface dedicated to a single person could easily be framed as private space. In this line of thought, the statue’s colossal pedestal was replaced with a modest Spanish home. The home adds a human perspective onto the monumental representation of the historic oppressor. In contrast to the ‘privatisation’ of the monument, a bridge was also added over the surrounding fountain. Offering Logroño’s locals and visitors access into their public space for the first time in the monument’s 130 year history.

To highlight the private identity of the house (and monument), for sale signs were added to its windows. Books about Espartero, Spain’s independence, Peru’s independence, the Carlist wars and the bombardments of Barcelona were fixed onto the house’s garden table.

Exhibited as a part of architecture festival Concéntrico 2024.