Valencia will soon have a new cultural space dedicated to the internationally renowned Valencian sculptor Manolo Valdés.
This was announced this Wednesday by the mayor, María José Catalá, who has detailed that the future Espai Manolo Valdés center will be located in Pier 3 of the Parc Central.
This museum will be free of charge and will have a permanent exhibition of a selection of works by the artist that will be on temporary deposit for an initial period of 10 years, with the possibility of extension for successive periods of 5 years.
The City Council will invest one million euros in the adaptation of the space, which will include the enclosure of the building, interior reorganization, air conditioning and conservation measures to guarantee the correct exhibition of the works.
The municipal government plans to invite tenders for the drafting of the project before the end of the year.
The agreement reached with Manolo Valdés will make it possible to enjoy a representative sample of his artistic career. The pieces will be selected jointly by the artist and the City Council.
In a recorded message from New York, where he lives, Valdés -83 years old- has expressed his “enthusiasm and gratitude” for the initiative.
The mayor has framed this project within the cultural strategy of the city, which includes two other new museum spaces: the Museum of the Sea in the Casa dels Bous and the Interpretation Center of the Holy Chalice in the Casa del Relojero; and also the revitalization of the Parc Central with a backbone space in the south of the city.
Works by Valdés in Valencia
Valdés’ most recognizable work in Valencia is the Iberian Lady, which has presided over the Cortes Valencianas traffic circle since 2007. Also very popular in recent years has been La Pamela, a sculpture with the bust of a woman wearing a large pamela, which is currently located in the Marina of Valencia.
The Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero (CAHH) at Calle del Mar, 31, has an important collection of works by Valdés, including some sculptures.