The exhibition is a pre-presentation of the “Cidade da Cultura de Galicia “, a City of Culture, situated on the top of Monte Gaiás in Santiago de Compostela. Designed by Peter Eisenman, the buildings will host expressions of the culture of Galicia, Spain, Europe, Latin America and the World. The six component buildings are conceived as three pairs and are interconnected by streets and plazas. With this architectural milestone Galicia will contribute towards meeting the challenges of the information and knowledge society, make a ‘space of excellence’ for reflection, debate and action in the fields of literature, philosophy, music, drama, dance, film, visual arts and communication for the new century.
The “Cidade da Cultura de Galicia” consists of 6 buildings: The Library of Galicia, Galician Archives, Museum of Galicia, Center for Music and Performing Arts, International Art Center, Central Services. Inspired by the medieval historic city of Santiago de Compostela, Eisenman stated: “instead of the ground being conceived as a backdrop against which the buildings stand out as figures, we generate a condition in which the ground can rear up to become figure, the buildings can subside into ground. It is a new kind of urban fabric in which the space you inhabit can seem both smooth and furrowed, much like a seashell, the age-old symbol of Santiago. The coding of Santiago's medieval past into the City of Culture creates the sense of an active present, as found in a tactile, pulsing new form – what you might call a fluid shell”.
Surrounded by 25 hectares of parkland, the complex shall be articulated by streets, colonnades, gardens and plazas, transcending the mere concept of a cultural center to become a city with a life of its own, where visitors may not only enjoy the programming scheduled for each building, but also go shopping, eating out or just for a simple walk. Peter Eisenman suggested further, to erect the “Hejduk towers”, designed in 1992 by John Hejduk (New York, 1929-2000), at the City of Culture as a memorial to their author. The Library of Galicia and the Galician Archives are the two first buildings to be opened to the public in the End of 2010, during the Xacobeo, Holy Year of Saint James. The City of Culture of Galicia is an initiative of the Xunta de Galicia and managed by the Fundación Ciudad da Cultura de Galicia, established in 1999.
Sponsors
Xunta de Galicia, Fundación Ciudad da Cultura de Galicia, Embassy of Spain, Eutrio, Xacobeo 2010, Zumtobel, ArcelorMittal, Busch-Jaeger, carpetconcept, AXOR Hansgrohe
