The Modernism we need

Following the announcement about the future Thyssen Museum in Barcelona, ​​and the understandable concern many of us expressed (and still do) about the impact on the heritage of the Palau Marcet façade and the Passeig de Gràcia itself, the debate also arose regarding its content: as is well known, a collection primarily of Catalan Modernist works (Casas, Rusiñol, Mellon, etc.). We then wondered if Barcelona needed even more Modernism, even if only in painting: the MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) clearly fills this void, and moreover, could fill it. This is without mentioning (of course) the architectural aspect of the movement, scattered throughout the city. We wondered, then, if a different, or complementary, approach wouldn't be more appropriate. Not only because we already have more than enough Modernism, but also because of the following question: would the Modernists of that era have been content to always exhibit works from a glorious past? Or would they have sought out the latest trends from abroad and positioned themselves at the forefront? Are we lacking this modernist attitude today? Perhaps from our excessive desire to preserve? Modernism as heritage, have we ended up losing it as a virtue?

Thyssen may or may not take up the proposal, but someone has to. Starting with the City Council itself, which (apparently) has no more imagination than bringing in America's Cups, Formula 1 races, or Winter Olympics to entertain us. Someone has to get on board: if Thyssen does it, and on top of that, respects the existing architecture, I'll be delighted. Just in case, and so I know, it's about this: instead of dwelling so much on the past, which already shines on its own, we should embrace the contemporary. I'm sorry, but MACBA doesn't quite manage it. Del Moco is worth more than we're saying. They've left Villa Casas as a... rare elderly Orphaned and bewildered. And Miró does what he must do, and Picasso does what he must do, and Dalí is now approaching Barcelona, ​​linking science and art ("Platform Dalí"). But what is still lacking is the perception of Barcelona as a global avant-garde hub, if we take it outside of mobile phone fairs or biomedical events, or music festivals. We're not on the map of major art biennials, major contemporary museums, or international film festivals. We're in a lower category in terms of cutting-edge trends, of being where we should be, of a hunger for true competitive leadership. That's why those who come often come because we're a beautiful city. Very beautiful, and with good weather. Bravo.

The modernist (updated) attitude would be to do what is necessary to be leaders in more than one or two areas. It is unforgivable, to begin with, that we are not leaders in art: the city of Gaudí, Picasso, and Miró has remained passive, living off the proceeds of their works, instead of learning from them and their restless, ambitious, and desperately hungry pursuit of excellence. No: simply putting on many immersive exhibitions for children is not the same thing. Even Madrid hasn't just been admiring the Prado's Baroque collection; instead, it has enriched the Reina Sofía with major exhibitions of international contemporary art and promoted initiatives like Matadero, La Casa Encendida, Arte Madrid, CA2M... (in its own Madrid way, and at our expense, of course). We, on the other hand, believed that modernist houses and avant-garde paintings (that is, our grandparents' treasures) would pay for everything. Not only is this false, but they would never have done this. Neither the modernists nor the avant-garde, to state the obvious, would ever have said: "Now let's enjoy the spectacle of the sailing ships, we've already proven ourselves enough."

When I say that Barcelona must stop being the capital of tackiness and misguided cosmopolitanism, I mean this: ever since the Olympic Games, which tried to make us believe that history was over and we could finally let go of the tension. Fortunately, the Catalan independence movement and the October 1st referendum proved otherwise. But beyond politics, we need to promote a boldness, a daring, a hunger and ambition that have nothing to do with the gentrified and self-satisfied soul that is being presented to us as our destiny. No: Barcelona has never been as cutting-edge as it was during the Modernist era, and it has never been as far behind the times as it is now. If the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum takes up this challenge, it can redeem many of the suspicions that have arisen. But the call is for everyone—political, social, and cultural actors alike: we only need to look at the mirror of Barcelona's past; let's unite to conquer the world. Gaudí did it. They did it. Let's dare.