Open-air Sculpture Museum

The Open-Air Sculpture Museum of Madrid, located under the Enrique de la Mata Gorostizaga bridge between Juan Bravo and Eduardo Dato streets, is an extraordinary example of how art can integrate into the urban environment. This unique exhibition space, inaugurated in 1972, was designed to bring the public closer to Spanish abstract art, a genre that was little known to the general public at the time. The museum project was born from the idea of engineer José Antonio Fernández Ordóñez and artist Eusebio Sempere, who saw the area under the bridge as an opportunity to create a space for artistic expression and public enjoyment. Their goal was to transform a marginal urban area into a place of meeting and culture, where citizens could walk and enjoy the artworks in an unconventional setting. The museum’s installation was not without controversy. The sculpture “La sirena varada” by Eduardo Chillida, designed to be suspended under the bridge, faced resistance from the municipality, which feared for the structural safety. After years of discussions and technical studies, the artwork was finally installed in 1978, becoming one of the most iconic pieces of the museum. This sculpture, made of concrete and weighing over 6 tons, is an extraordinary example of the integration between art and engineering. The museum covers an area of approximately 4,200 square meters and is spread over three levels, gently descending from Calle Serrano to Paseo de la Castellana. The arrangement of the artworks on multiple levels allows for a dynamic and diversified enjoyment of the sculptures, ranging from various styles and materials, offering a complete overview of Spanish abstract art of the 20th century. Among the exhibited works are pieces by renowned artists such as Martín Chirino, Joan Miró, Pablo Palazuelo, and Julio González. Each sculpture is placed in a way that interacts with the surrounding environment, creating an artistic path that invites reflection and contemplation. The large retaining wall of Calle Serrano is adorned with a waterfall of water sheets designed by Eusebio Sempere, adding a element of movement and light to the museum, making it a sensory experience as well as visual. The installation of these artworks in a public space represents a challenge to the traditional conventions of museums, breaking down the barriers between art and everyday life. This approach democratizes access to art, allowing anyone to enjoy the artworks without the need to enter a specific building, and integrating art into the urban life of Madrid. The Open-Air Sculpture Museum of Madrid also has a political and social significance. Its creation was part of a broader effort of urban redevelopment aimed at responding to the rapid expansion of the city in the 1960s and 1970s. In this context, art was used as a tool to enhance public spaces, promote social cohesion, and improve the quality of urban life.