Standing up for the Círculo de Bellas Artes
Today the Circle of Fine Arts asks that we stand up for him and for culture, to continue making possible everything that this building has achieved after more than 133 years shaking the minds of the city. We, in addition to the face, we can the reasons.
1. History
It is obvious: the Círculo de Bellas Artes was not born out of nowhere. It was born from where the best things in this life are born: Of art . In the year 1880 a group of artists who tried to favor the work of dissemination of culture founded this space, being its first president the painter Juan Martinez de Espinosa (although the current headquarters in Alcalá 42 was established in 1926). Here a young man attended painting classes picasso and great writers like Arniches either Hyacinth Benavente they were in charge of the Direction of the Circle.
two. All this, before, was a party
But ask the regular Valle-Inclan , between painting, sculpture and literature, the rooms of Antonio Palacios (Galician architect in charge of creating the building) knew how to enjoy the party and big celebrations were organized in his Ballroom. The best known, which today continues to perpetuate the tradition, is the Masquerade . This, in addition to show business, also required art: every year a poster contest was held. Last year, for example, the poster was carried out by ** Chema Madoz ** who has become part of the History of the Circle together with Cecilio Pla either Raphael of Penagos (who also designed cards for the carnival dance).
rooftop views
3. Let it not decline!
Today the rooms of the Circle are still a party. Until a year ago, in his Hall of the Columns each edition of the festival was closed spring club in the city and, without going any further, this year in addition to the Masquerade event was also held Get Dirty! with groups like Trajano!, Cut Your Hair, Vivian Girls, Pional and The Horrors Dj Set. And talk about music in the current CBA without naming Circle Border , Has no sense. The Círculo label continues to program concerts of emerging music from our country. In this last edition, the groups from Madrid The Chinese Birdwatchers and Inlogic They were the protagonists. For chaotic souls (within an order), there will always be jazz circle which for six years has been recreating a Chicago club from the mid-early 20th century. The most classic also have an appointment for the soul and the ear in the circle, this time, with a key protagonist: Bach . Concerts for the whole family, conferences... All about the maestro. All in the Circle.
Four. Gastronomy: Fishbowl
Don't expect vintage flea market chairs or rustic wooden tables to share a seat at. The classicism of La Pecera is precisely that, classic . The windows leave nothing to the imagination and the high ceilings are full of frescoes. We are in the noble and historical cultural center of Alcalá and that cannot be forgotten. The jewel in the crown, without a doubt, is the sculpture of the nude woman cast in the stone in the middle of the hall . Suddenly we enter a space-time journey through the early years of the 20th century surrounded by intellectuals and gentlemen with monocles. A Delorean that cannot be missed.
Fishbowl
5. Circle Radius
The CBA also rides the waves. ** Radio Círculo is the voice of Alcalá 42** that brings together on this frequency (and on this website) the concerns of Círculo-addicts. Programs with personality, very plastic, almost visual, vindictive, research, always providing the innovation that makes this radio's fishbowl a breeding ground for Madrid's culture.
6. Living and reviving the Humanist spirit
Workshops for all ages, painting classes knowing you are the successor to Picasso's brushes, conferences, colloquiums, fashion shows, social events... El Círculo drinks from the frenetic activity of Madrid in all its aspects and, above all, of the curiosity of those who visit it . The circle also counts with **her own biannual magazine, Minerva**.
7. cinema studio
On the audiovisual level, the Circle Studio Cinema prepares thematic, author, genre cycles and even marathons. Any occasion is good for a cinephile shot.
In the bowels of the Cinema Studio
8. PHotoSpain For years, the Circle has been an essential part of the International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts, a place where some exhibitions that are part of the photographic event of the year are shown. In this edition, within the walls of the Circle we will enjoy 'He, she, it: dialogues between Edward Weston and Harry Callahan' and 'Woman, The feminist avant-garde of the 70s'.
He, She, It: Dialogues between Edward Weston and Harry Callahan
9. The Circle Skeleton
Like small boxes that are juxtaposed, windows in different dimensions and at different levels, the architecture of the Círculo is the jewel in the crown of Antonio Palacios Ramilo . He is a living, organic building . Here each cabin and each floor shows the importance of what is cooked inside in the very facade. Spinal column? The impressive marble staircase. The summit? A tower that can be accessed from the terrace. "The beacon of culture" that guides the capital, as Palacios presented it on his day.
The ladder of the CBA, its backbone
10. Minerva's rooftop
Exhibitions, cocktails, fashion, views... This is having Madrid at your feet . From the roof you can see Torrespaña, without forgetting that we are next to Cibeles, seeing Alcalá being born. And it is that as Josep Pla said: “The color and shape of these clouds and of the light of Madrid makes a bit of an illuminated postcard: stylized, of a very delicate finesse, somewhat artificial, scenic, filtered, clean, precise. This light, this sky, these clouds, are the luxury of Madrid, its finest thing. Here the air is pure, mountain air, dry, tonic, with a diamond crystallinity”. And she was to be the goddess of wisdom, Minerva , the one chosen to watch over these skies, and this Círculo de Bellas Artes.
_ You may also be interested..._*
- Guide to Madrid
- 100 things about Madrid you should know
- Madrid with magnifying glass
- All the articles of María F. Carballo
Minerva, watcher of arts and wisdom