From today, 14 February, until 31 July, the exhibition ‘Flamboyant’ becomes the starting point of an innovative contemporary art programme promoted by the Casa De Alba Foundation.
Joana Vasconcelos, known for her imposing sculptures and monumental installations, delves into the history of the Palacio de Liria (Madrid), fusing her art with the collection of masterpieces by great figures such as Velázquez, Goya and Titian. In this way, and for the first time, the artist intervenes in an inhabited palace, turning this neoclassical space into a place of dialogue between the past and the present.
More than 40 pieces by the Portuguese artist are distributed throughout the most secret corners of the palace, including hitherto inaccessible rooms such as the chapel and the gardens. ‘Palacio de Liria is not a storehouse of history, but a living space,’ she enthuses, inviting visitors to experience a journey between history and modernity.
The exhibition begins with two imposing guardians, Vigoroso e Poderoso, two lions made of cement and crochet that mark the beginning of a journey that takes viewers from the palace’s intimacies to its most striking installations. These include Flaming Heart, in the chapel, and Carmen, a lamp that pays homage to the Spanish tradition and is located in the library.
Other surprising pieces are Coraçao Independente Preto, in the Spanish salon, and Vlkyrie Thyra, in the Zuloaga salon.
But ‘Flamboyant’ is not limited to large-scale installations. The Palace’s Contemporary Art Room offers a more intimate look at Vasconcelos’ work, with jewels, drawings and models that reveal the essence of his creative process.
Sponsored by Dior, the exhibition is also supported by Mastercard, the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council, consolidating its position as one of the most important events of the city’s art season.
The relationship between the artist and the Maison is a story of art, fashion and collaboration that has endured over the years, becoming a meeting point between two worlds that feed off each other. Their first encounter dates back to 2013, when Dior invited Joana to create a monumental work to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the iconic Miss Dior perfume. Thus was born J’Adore Miss Dior, a gigantic pink ribbon that was presented at the Grand Palais in Paris, and can now be enjoyed at the Liria Palace.
Since then, the joint trajectory has been intertwined in different projects, such as the 2019 Dior Lady Art. For this fourth edition, Vasconcelos once again joined forces with the brand to reimagine its iconic Lady Dior bag, transforming the accessory into a unique work of art that transposed his personal universe into fashion. A link that not only unites contemporary art with luxury, but also celebrates the reinterpretation of tradition through a fresh and audacious vision.
This bond was further cemented in 2023, when the artist was invited by Maria Grazia Chiuri, artistic director of Dior‘s women’s collections, to design the stunning Valkyrie Miss Dior. The monumental piece debuted at the Autumn-Winter 2023/24 runway show at the Jardins des Tuileries in Paris, and the Valkyrie series has continued to evolve ever since.
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