34 life-size Meninas will fill the streets of Madrid from November 15. Once again, the urban exhibition Meninas Madrid Gallery will immerse the city in the atmosphere of a Velázquez painting, which can be enjoyed until December 15.
The singer Gloria Estefan, the musical duo Los del Río, the actress and influencer Paula Echevarría, or the radio announcers Javi Nieves and Mar Amate are some of those who have been commissioned to reinterpret the Meninas. In this way, they convey their vision of Spanish culture and Madrid’s traditions.
In addition, sports will also be very present, with references to the NFL (the American Football League), as in the coming weeks an official game will be played for the first time in Madrid between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commander.
Inclusion, artificial intelligence and Braille
The new Meninas Madrid Gallery collection aims to include various collectives, support social causes and become a symbol of solidarity. In collaboration with the Austism Friendly Foundation, they have elaborated one of the Meninas with the participation of children with autism, to raise awareness about this issue.
And, to improve accessibility, ONCE has joined the initiative through the first Menina Braille. It is designed with phrases in the Braille system and with a relief of the original painting of Las Meninas, allowing people with visual impairment to enjoy art by touch.
Finally, the Menina Alexa focuses on artificial intelligence, as it promotes innovation through technology and relates curiosities and mysteries about these figures.
Where to find the Meninas
This year, the 34 meninas will be distributed throughout five districts of Madrid: Barajas, Centro, Chamberí, Moncloa-Aravaca and Salamanca. Two meninas will be in charge of welcoming travelers arriving at the airport and also all tourists or people strolling in downtown locations such as Callao, Plaza de España or Gran Vía.
The Salamanca district will have the largest number of these figures of 1.80 meters high, totaling 26, while Chamberí and Moncloa-Aravaca will have only one. The exact location and route of the exhibition can be consulted on the platform of the City Council Todo está en Madrid, one of the promoters of the project.
All the meninas will have their own QR code, which can be scanned with any mobile device and will allow to understand the concept of the work and see it virtually.
Creativity and Madrid tradition
The idea of taking the Meninas to the street came about in 2018, from the hand of artist Antonio Azzato, who decided to reinterpret them from a contemporary vision. In its eighth edition, Meninas Madrid Gallery continues to consolidate itself as “one more Madrid tradition”. This is how the deputy mayor of Madrid, Inma Sanz, defined it during the presentation held at the Municipal Board of Hortaleza on November 7.
This year the influencer Erika de la Vega and the artists Eduardo Valenciano and Mausha Marsá will join the event. Also participating will be Antonio Azzato himself , Acotex (Asociación Empresarial del Comercio Textil, Complementos y Moda), SAMUR-Protección Civil and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, among others.