lea-artibai

lea-artibai
x. sáenz de gorbea
© Author: Xabier Sáenz de Gorbea
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Editor: General Office of Turist Promotion
Design and photographs: Sonia Rueda
Printing: Flash Composition S.L.
Legal deposit: BI-2701-07
1. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)
“Herri bat” (One Country) (1986)
2. Tomás Martínez Arteaga (1906-1962)
Monument to General Longa (1952)
3. Pedro Ispizua (1895-1974)
Monument to Simón Bolivar (1927)
4. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)
“Naturaren kompasera”
(In Time with Nature) (1996)
5. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)/Lorenzo Ascasibar (1930)
Tribute to José María Arizmendiarrieta Madariaga (1980-1992)
6. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)
“Indargei” (Weak) (1986)
7. Xabier Laka (1954)
“Monument to Freedom of Expression /
Monument to the Basque Soldier” (1987-1988)
8. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)
“Orekatik Bizia” (Life Balance) (1994)
9. Mikel Lertxundi (1951)
Bust of Agustín Zubikarai (1979)
10. Miguel Muñoz (1939)
“The First Fight” (1979)
11. Miguel Muñoz (1939)
Tribute to Resurrección Mª de Azkue (1981)
12. Moisés de Huerta (1881-1962)
Monument to Pascual Abaroa Uribarren (1934)
13. Agustín Ibarrola (1930)
“Stele” (1988)
8. LEA-ARTIBAI
Lea Artibai is a territory formed by the basins of the rivers of the same name and located in the most easterly
part of Bizkaia. It is an enclave that ranges from the
mountains to the sea and has three important points,
the port towns of Lekeitio and Ondárroa and the surroundings of the town of Markina, from Etxebarria on
one side to Bolíbar and Ziortza on the other.
All the artist mentioned are Basque, by birth or residence. The architect Pedro Ispizua (1895-1974) and the
sculptors Moisés de Huerta (1881-1962) and Tomás
Martínez Arteaga (1906-1962) are from the first half of
the twentieth century. Later contributions are those
by the local artists Miguel Muñoz (1939), Xabier Laka
LEA-ARTIBAI
(1954) and Mikel Lertxundi (1951). The last of these
has an important number of works, of which we have
chosen five, plus one carried out in collaboration with
Lorenzo Ascasíbar (1930).
The motifs represented are associated with the commemoration of the historical characters Simón Bolíbar
and General Longa, as well as local philanthropists,
such as Pascual Abaroa, and men of culture, like Resurrección María de Azkue and Agustín Zubikarai, or of
economy, the priest José María Arizmendiarrieta. The
personal concerns of contemporary sculpture complete their cycle with references to vision itself or to
civic values like freedom of expression.
1
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
Mikel Lertxundi (1951) is the creator of “Herri bat”
(1986). A relief on the pavement of the Herriko Plaza
in Arbacegui (Munitibar), which is barely noted and
does not disturb the movement in the place. It is an
elemental and subtle frame that eliminates mass, obviates volume and is left with the limit of the ground,
as produced by the American Carl André (1935). The
artist takes sensitivity to the minimum tone possible
and creates a very simple geometrical design. The per-
LEA-ARTIBAI
Munitibar
sonal cosmovision of the creator from Berriatúa leads
him to use three elements. Stone, wood and iron are
the materials that speak of original nature and seek
the ideal balance and harmony between them. The
work has a diameter of 4.5 metres and is differentiated
from its surroundings by its slight colour change and
the different textures of each shape. Realising it exists
means a highly pronounced sensitivity.
“Herri bat” (One Country) (1986)
2
Tomás MARTÍNEZ ARTEAGA (1906-1962)
In 1952, Tomás Martínez Arteaga (1906-1962) produced the monument to General Longa (1773-1831),
an eminent military leader in the War of Independence
against the French troops. The piece is made of stone
and measures 2.3 x 1.5 x 1.5 metres. It is sited in the
Plaza Simon Bolíbar in Bolibar, close to the monument to the American Liberator. It was a gift from the
Royal Society of Friends of the Basque Country and
the Regional Government of Bizkaia, who agreed on
its erection in 1950, as the plate with the following inscription states: “TO GENERAL LONGA / DON FRANCISCO DE ANCHIA Y URQUIZA / HERO OF THE WAR /
OF SPANISH INDEPENDENCE / ON 25 AUGUST 1950 /
THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF VIZCAYA AGREED
/ TO ERECT THIS MONUMENT”. The artist captures the
features of the character very superficially. It is presented with a slight movement of his body and hardly
turns his head. It is invested with the authority provided by the military full-dress
uniform, although without
going into too many details.
It is holding a roll of paper
in one hand, while the other
is resting on the hilt of his
sword. Artistically, it has the
quality of emphasising the
block and arranging an enormous volumetric mass.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Bolibar
Monument to General Longa (1952)
3
Pedro ISPIZUA (1895-1974)
In 1927, the architect from Bermeo Pedro Ispizua
(1895-1974) designed the monument to Simón Bolivar
(1783-1830) that stands in the centre of the square at
Bolibar, the place where the family of the American
“Liberator” originally came from. The monolith has a
quadrangular base and consists of a bench on which
a high prismatic volume is settled. The stonecutting of
the different faces is simple and consists of straight
lines with floral mouldings. On the front there is a
large stone bouquet, below the inscription: “SIMON
BOLIBAR / WHO IS RECOGNISED / AS FOUNDING FATHER / OF THE HOMELAND BY / VENEZUELA – PERU
/ ECUADOR – PANAMA / COLOMBIA - BOLIVIA / VENEZUELA PRESI- / DED BY GENERAL / J.V. GOMEZ TO
THE / TOWN OF BOLIBAR”. Above there is a medallion
in relief with the face of the subject of the tribute, and
at the top is the coat-of-arms of the family. There are
plates on both sides. The one of the left states: “ANTZIÑAKO SENDI EUZKOTAR ONEK BOLIBAR TAR SIMON ARGIRATUAZ BERE BIZMEN INDARA ERAKUTSI
EBAN”. While the one on the right says: “EMEN 1527´
GAREN URTEANYAYOIKO
BOLIBAR TAR SIMON
ARDURADUNAK AMERIKAN
BOLIBAR´TAREN
OÑETXEA IRASI EBAN”.
The work was restored in
the 1980s by Alexander
Garay Goyarrola, from
Basauri.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Bolibar
Monument to Simón Bolivar (1927)
4
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
“Naturaren kompasera” (1996) stands beside of road,
on the by-pass around Markina. It was produced by
Mikel Lertxundi (1951) and is surrounded by gardens
and a children’s playground. In spite of its great weight,
the three elements have a vertical structure and have
been treated differently. The rigidity of the stone is
severely squared. The wood is more aerial and has a
curvilinear element at the
top part. The iron has an
upper finishing area in the
shape of a torch. The artist
harmonises the different
component materials and
identifies them with water,
air and fire. It measures 4.5
metres in diameter and 6.5
in height.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Markina
“Naturaren kompasera”
(In Time with Nature) (1996)
5
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951) /
Lorenzo ASCASIBAR (1930)
The monument in tribute to Father José María Arizmendiarrieta Madariaga (1915-1976), founder of the
Mondragón cooperatives, is made up of two different
parts. The head is bronze and was made by Lorenzo
Ascasibar (1930), from Bergara. It is signed and dates
from 1980. The rest of the ensemble was designed by
Mikel Lertxundi (1951). As usual in his language, the
artist combines the use of stone, wood and stainless
steel, and creates a pedestal, a fountain and a frame
that closes off the space. The background structure
has a circular opening that acts as a window to view
nature. At the top there is an allegorical sphere that
seems to be suspended in the
air. The ensemble was made in
1992 and is situated in the Barinaga district of Markina, where
the subject of the tribute came
from. It was inaugurated on
14 July and has a plaque with
the following text: “ERÍN ETA /
EZ IRABAZI; / SARTU / ETA EZ
EDUKI; / AURRERA EGIN / ETA
EZ MENPETU...”.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Markina
Tribute to José María Arizmendiarrieta Madariaga
(1980-1992)
6
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
“Indargei” was produced by the sculptor Mikel Lertxundi (1951). It is located in the Herriko Plaza at Etxebarria. It was made in 1986, measures 2.14 x 12 x 2.14
metres and blends into the environment. It offers the
appearance of a large corridor with an enormous stone
ball placed at the end, ready to be moved by giants. The
sphere has a diameter of 2.14 metres and weighs 14.570
kg. An invitation to take part that activates the role of
the passive spectator. The stone, wood and iron again
interact
to
achieve
a
harmonic balance between
them.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Etxebarria
“Indargei” (Weak) (1986)
7
Xabier LAKA (1954)
The artist from Ondárroa, Xabier Laka (1954), is the
author of a Monument to Freedom of Expression
which the town council has rebaptised as Monument
to the Basque Soldier (1987-1988). The sculpture is located in the Plaza Música in Ondárroa. It is stone and
measures 2 x 1 x 4 metres. It is arranged vertically and
starts from a cylinder which gradually opens out from
the base until it forms a symmetrical split in the upper
part. The structure is V-shaped and rises to show an
active and receptive concave interiority. It is hollow on
one side and rounded on the other. It is done in such
a way that, depending where it is seen from, a split
cylinder or the formation
of a dual geometrical figure can be perceived. It
has the following text:
“EUSKAL HERRIAREN /
ASKATASUNERANZKO
/ BIDEAN BURRUKATU
ETA / BIZIA GALDU DUTEN / ONDARRUTAN
GUZTIEN / OMENEZ”.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Ondarroa
“Monument to Freedom of Expression /
Monument to the Basque Soldier” (1987-1988)
8
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
The “Orekatik Bizia” (1994) ensemble is an installation integrated into the design of the space for the
new square in Arrigorri (Ondárroa). Mikel Lertxundi
(1951) has limited his intervention to the edges of the
space, so as not to prevent people from circulating.
The piece is composed of different parts, forming a
triptych that expands in space. The stone situated
on the right measures 29.35 x 2.12 x 5.45 metres and
counts on the dialogue between two prismatic blocks,
vertical and horizontal, respectively. The relationship
between two elements is also present in the iron situated on the right, whose dimensions are 1.55 x 1.04 x
5 metres. A dynamic wooden piece (1.9 x 0.8 x 4.7 m.)
LEA-ARTIBAI
Ondarroa
presides over the place. It is situated in the centre of
the wall and is composed of curvilinear blocks that
activate the place. cuenta con el diálogo entre dos
bloques prismáticos, vertical y horizontal, respectivamente. La relación entre dos elementos también está
presente en el hierro que se sitúa a la derecha, cuyas
dimensiones son 1,55x1,04x5 m. Preside el lugar una
dinámica obra de madera (1,90x0,80x4,70 m.). Se sitúa
en el centro del muro y está formada por unos bloques
curvilíneos que activan el lugar.
“Orekatik Bizia” (Life Balance) (1994)
8
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
LEA-ARTIBAI
Ondarroa
“Orekatik Bizia” (Life Balance) (1994)
9
Mikel LERTXUNDI (1951)
The Basque writer Agustín Zubikarai (1914-2004)
is remembered in the square dedicated to him in
Ondárroa, his home town. The tribute is composed
of a bronze head and a stone pedestal that has a
plate with the inscription: “AGUSTÍN ZUBIKARAI /
EUSKALTZALEA ETA IDAZLEARI / OBARROA - KO
HERRIAK / 1992-11-8“. The
author of the sculpture is
Mikel Lertxundi (1951). It
was produced in 1979, to
be inaugurated in 1992. It
is a sober piece that has
no ornamentation. It relies
on the expressiveness of
the face and represents the
writer’s features naturally.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Ondarroa
Bust of Agustín Zubikarai (1979)
10
Miguel MUÑOZ (1939)
It bears the inscription “LEHENENGO BURRUKA / THE
FIRST FIGHT / 1979” and measures 1 x 0.75 x 1.5 metres. It stands in Abaroa Etorbidea in Lekeitio and is a
direct carving work carried out by Miguel Muñoz Lara
(1939). The sculpture is arranged on an elementary
stone pedestal and shows two men fighting with each
other in a very simplified way and with great expressive synthesis. Without very specific details, the illustration reveals the block
and the weight of the red
marble from Ereño. It has
the feeling of a compact
block which is made dynamic by means of a curvilinear rough surface and
rounded volumes that interlace. The tension of the
effort and of the movement can be perceived.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Lekeitio
“The First Fight” (1979)
11
Miguel MUÑOZ (1939)
Although initially located close to the church in Lekeitio, it now stands in the street dedicated to Resurrección María de Azkue (1864-1919), in the place where
the great researcher on the Basque language, to
whom the monument is dedicated, was born. It is a donation by the sculptor from Málaga Miguel Muñoz Lara
(1939), who was a resident of the town. It was made in
1981 and different materials were used. It consists of
an iron bust, which is situated behind, on top of a high
stone pedestal. Between them, on a smaller base, an
iron sculpture with abstractising shapes is arranged.
In front there is a bright open book, whose stainless
steel sheet bears the text: “BERE BIZITZA LUZEAN
JAKITURIZ ETA MAITETASUNEZ EUSKALHERRIAN
JAKINTZEA AZTERTEN
GURE
HIZKUNTZEA
SAKONTZEN ETA INDARTZEN
AHALEGIN
EGIN EBAN. RESURRECCIÓN MARIA AZKUE
1864-19... GURE HERIKO
SEME ETA ABADE OSPATSUARI LEKEITIOKO
HERRIAK 1981-8-5”
LEA-ARTIBAI
Lekeitio
Tribute to Resurrección Mª de Azkue (1981)
12
Moisés HUERTA (1881-1962)
In 1934, Moisés de Huerta (1881-1962) was the artificer
of the monument to Pascual Abaroa Uribarren (18251890). The subject of the tribute was a great benefactor
who contributed to the construction of the ambulatory
for the church of Santa María, as well as giving donations for the hospital, the schools, the poorhouse,
the wash houses, the promenade and several streets
in Lekeitio. In advance, an official submission was
held, in which other Basque artist competed. A panel,
composed of the Mayor, Mariano Adán de Yarza, the
architects Emiliano Amann and Juan Arancibia and
the painters Julián Ibáñez de Aldecoa and Ángel Garavilla, awarded the prize to the project presented by
the artist from Villa Muriel under the pseudonym of
“Argia”. It uses the design of a previous project made
to remember the musician Valle in Bilbao. The work is
made up of a compact, severe block that acts as a pedestal but also as a seat. The decoration on this base is
Art Deco and has symbolic reliefs on both sides. On
the front there is a bronze shield with the town coatof-arms, together with the date of the inauguration
(1934-VIII-14) and the inscription: “LEKEITIARRAK.
GEURE ONGILLE ANDI /TA ERRITAR MAITE ABARAOTAR PASKAL´I /ESKER ON SAKONAREN GOMUTAGARRITZAT”. Some steps seem to lead to the statue,
which is protected by a prismatic stone bench where
it is seated. It has its legs crossed and hands together,
references that emphasise the natural sentiment of
the recipient of the tribute.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Lekeitio
Monument to Pascual Abaroa Uribarren (1934)
12
Moisés HUERTA (1881-1962)
LEA-ARTIBAI
Lekeitio
Monument to Pascual Abaroa Uribarren (1934)
13
Agustín IBARROLA (1930)
The design is by Agustín Ibarrola (1930) and Manuel
Jiménez Alamillo made twelve copies which have
been placed in twelve Basque ports. Seven are in Bizkaia: Lekeitio, Ondárroa, Elantxobe, Mundaka, Bermeo, Armintza and Plentzia. They have all been made
of concrete, measure 0.77 x 0.225 x 1.5 metres, each
weigh 2,200 kilograms and have a circular base with
a diameter of 1.5 metres and 0.45 metres thick. They
function as symbolic signposts for the space, as well
as taking on the character of a reminder of the past
and the struggle with and on the sea. The artist has
created a stele. The central shape is hollow, it is like an
eye through which space flows, which allows people
to look through, and dialogues between the land and
the aquatic world.
The
opening
slides gently and,
like the horizon,
has been painted
blue.
LEA-ARTIBAI
Lekeitio
“Stele” (1988)
8- lea-artibai