Chillida
Hauser & Wirth Menorca presents an exhibition dedicated to Eduardo Chillida, a major figure in 20th-century sculpture.
Simply titled Chillida, the exhibition is held in the island’s sensitively restored former naval base, reimagined by architect Luis Laplace. It showcases works created between 1949 and 2000, tracing the key milestones of the Basque artist’s career. Through sculptures in steel, wood, stone, chamotte clay, and paper, the show explores Chillida’s profound relationship with matter, void, space, and light.
Menorca, where the artist established a summer studio in Alcaufar in 1989, holds a special place in his artistic journey. There, he discovered a “white” Mediterranean light, in contrast to the “black” light of the Basque Country, which deeply influenced his terracotta works — the renowned Lurra.
Inside the white-walled galleries of the art center, the Gravitaciones — weightless suspended and glued papers — enter into dialogue with monumental pieces like Proyecto para un monumento and Salute to the Birds II. Outdoors, sculptures installed in gardens designed by Piet Oudolf extend this immersive connection to nature. The local stone, marès, is used for the bases, grounding the works in the island’s landscape. The exhibition is accompanied by an educational program developed in collaboration with Chillida Leku and Menorca Preservation, highlighting the venue’s ecological and educational commitment.
