Acción Cultural Española (AC/E) collaborates with the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (CBA) in the presentation of the exhibition "Eclosión", a show that reviews the radical transformation process that turned the institution into the epicenter of Spanish cultural modernity following the arrival of democracy.

The Awakening of an Institution (1983)

Starting in 1983, the Círculo began a structural and conceptual renovation that defined it as a multidisciplinary, innovative space connected with international trends. Under the direction of a board of artists led by Martín Chirino, the institution established itself as a benchmark open to contemporary debate, where art, thought, music, film, and architecture coexisted.

A Crossroad of Avant-gardes and Masters

The exhibition highlights the magnitude of the project through the diversity and quality of the figures who passed through its halls. The Círculo became a cultural engine where:

Thinkers such as Susan Sontag, Jean Baudrillard, and Massimo Cacciari introduced intellectual debates of international scope.

Artists such as Nancy Spero, Julio Le Parc, Julian Schnabel, and Luis Gordillo led workshops that influenced young creators.

Photographers like Javier Vallhonrat or Eikoh Hosoe and filmmakers like Pilar Miró and Luis García Berlanga provided specialized training and reflection.

Poets of the stature of John Berger, Allen Ginsberg, or José Ángel Valente starred in milestones of Madrid's literary life.

Pioneering Initiatives

In this climate of cultural effervescence, initiatives emerged that introduced emerging languages to Spain, such as the 1st National Video Festival, the FOCO photography festival, or the Grupo Círculo, a chamber orchestra specialized in contemporary music.

Curated by Oliva María Rubio, the exhibition offers an articulated look at this period through works, photographic and audiovisual records, and other archival materials, inviting visitors to understand how the Círculo accompanied and fostered the creative awakening of democratic Spain.

Practical Information:

Dates: From February 25 to May 10, 2026.
Location: Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (Sala Picasso).
Collaborates: Acción Cultural Española (AC/E).
Curator: Oliva María Rubio.