Spain's light illuminates Europe
Three art installations, united by a single vision for the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, located in the Council of the European Union buildings, form a link with the outside world, the EU member states, and their citizens. Sunlight is the raw material in these works, illuminating everything and everyone, rising as a source of life, symbolising creation and a green transition, and forming conceptual links to the themes of diversity, inclusion, and integration. The sun thus becomes a unique artistic and architectural element, turning these pieces into evolving, living works and connecting the Council of the European Union with its citizens.
The art of creating a responsible project
One of the main priorities for the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible energy use. This concern is reflected in all three installations, which follow the principles of the green transition to creating sustainable works in terms of manufacturing, materials, and life cycle. With this goal in mind, unnecessary transport is avoided by building part of the installations in local workshops in Belgium. The materials are reusable and will subsequently be recycled and energy-efficient lighting.
Art and architecture shinning in three spaces
Rocío Asensi + Re-Create Studio created this joint proposal, forming an interdisciplinary, complementary team and generating synergies that enabled them to explore harmonious new languages. The result is an artistic proposal that is as energetic as the inspiration behind it: the sun. This combination of architecture and art, of the spatial context and visual concept, is visible at every level in all three art installations, forming a strong association that transmits a unique and relevant message. Through this pairing of art and architecture in a public space, they seek to raise awareness, expand knowledge, and promote culture among the citizenry, values that permeate the EU’s work as a political body and are reflected in the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Coordination Office for the Spanish Presidency of the EU, AC/E and AECID jointly launched an open call to select the artistic interventions that, in accordance with the tradition of those who assume the Presidency, must be exhibited throughout the semester in the EU Council buildings, the so-called Justus Lipsius and the Europa Building. The team made up of Rocío Asensi and Re-create studio was the winner creating their Paisaje solar project, of which the jury - made up of Daniel Canogar, Estrella de Diego, Emilio Tuñón, Bea Espejo, Elvira Dyongani and Mabel Tapia, as well as various managers the three convening institutions - highlighted its "extraordinary evocative capacity" being, in turn, a sober and direct proposal. The work reflects the will to bring the European Union closer to citizens so that they appropriate it, creating a story of strength and vitality linked to the European political commitment to the energy transition.
