Concern. Freedom and Democracy

Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Paula Rego, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, Antonio Saura, Manuel Millares, Eduardo Arroyo, Rafael Canogar, Cristina García Rodero, Cristina Iglesias, António Areal, Joaquim Rodrigo, Equipo Crónica, Equipo Realidad, Jimmie Durham, Harun Farocki, Andrei Ujica, Santiago Sierra & Jorge Galindo, Filipa César, Fernando Sánchez Castillo, João Tabarra, Priscila Fernandes, and many more. 

Fundación Montemadrid and the Committee for the Commemoration of Fifty Years of Spain in Freedom present the exhibition Concern. Freedom and Democracy which, featuring works by more than fifty artists from the art collections of Fundación Montemadrid and the Portuguese Government, reflects on fifty years of democratic transition in Portugal and Spain.

Drawing on the collective historical memory of Spain, Portugal and Europe, the project invites a dialogue that contextualises the social, political and cultural aspects of the period that spans the 1970s to the present day, a time of transition and confrontation between the Iberian dictatorships and the contemporary democratic regimes.

With its immersive approach, the show gives visitors a prominent role in the story of this period as they encounter historical and contemporary exhibits in a wide variety of formats: audiovisuals, documentaries, photographs, archival works, posters and new artistic creations associated with leading figures of the Portuguese and Spanish art scenes.

The exhibition brings together key works by artists such as Manolo Millares (Hombre caído [Fallen Man]), Antonio Saura (Mirta), Joan Miró (El cortesano grotesco [The Grotesque Courtier]), Antoni Tàpies (He aquí el cuerpo [This is the Body]) and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva (Libertad [Freedom]), which strike up a dialogue with pieces by Paula Rego, Cristina García Rodero and collectives such as Equipo Crónica and Equipo Realidad. Infused with memory, political critique and social commitment, these creations chart a visual narrative that connects dissidence, resistance and freedom to the current challenges of our democracies.

To accompany the exhibition, between October and March La Casa Encendida, in collaboration with Spain in Freedom, will host a series of public events to reflect on democracy today. This will include spaces for critical thinking (Lapsus Linguae), a programme for schools (Imagine a Country), guided tours and podcasts with some of the participating artists.

Complete list of participating artists

Anna Jermolaewa, Antoni Tàpies, António Areal, António Poppe, Antonio Saura, Arlindo Silva, Bárbara Fonte, Catarina Simão, Cristina García Rodero, Cristina Iglesias, Daniel Barroca, Délio Jasse, Eduardo Arroyo, Equipo Crónica, Equipo Realidad, Ernesto de Sousa, Fernando Sánchez Castillo, Filipa César, Francisco Vidal, Harun Farocki, Andrei Ujica, Henrique Ruivo, Hugo Canoilas, Hugo de Almeida Pinho, Inês Leal, Jimmie Durham, Joan Miró, João Abel Manta, João Tabarra, Joaquim Rodrigo, José Feitor, José Luís Neto, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Leonel Moura, Manuel Millares, Manuel Santos Maia, Marcelino Vespeira, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, Miguel Carneiro, Musa paradisiaca, Nikias Skapinakis, Nikolai Nekh, Nuno Nunes-Ferreira, Patrícia Almeida, Paula Rego, Paulo Catrica, Paulo Mendes, Pedro Cabral Santo, Perejaume, Priscila Fernandes, Rafael Canogar, Rita GT, RTP Arquivos, Santiago Cirugeda, Santiago Sierra & Jorge Galindo, Sara & André, Taller de Diego Velázquez and Tito Mouraz.

Organised by:

La Casa Encendida / Spain in Freedom: Fifty Years

In collaboration with:

CACE Government Collection of Contemporary Art / Museums and Monuments of Portugal / Ministry of Culture (Portugal)
BRAGA 25 Portuguese Capital of Culture (Portugal)