The Cabildo of Lanzarote has approved granting a subsidy of 17,966.51 euros to the Cultural Association Escultura César Manrique, with the aim of helping to cover all expenses derived from the construction and installation of the sculpture dedicated to the artist from Lanzarote.
With this subsidy, the Cabildo intends to help the non-profit group that has promoted the creation of the sculpture since, as they themselves have stated, donations from civil society have not reached the total cost of the piece, which is estimated at 101,000 euros.
As will be recalled, the Cultural Association Escultura César Manrique began a fundraising campaign in 2018 called 'Por César', whose purpose was to finance the construction of a sculptural piece in tribute to César Manrique through individual donations, from groups and companies.
The subsidy that the Cabildo will grant to the Cultural Association Escultura César Manrique was approved unanimously by all political groups in the plenary session of last Thursday, October 9. "The first island institution cannot remain on the sidelines of supporting this initiative, which is entirely fair, which pays tribute to our most universal artist. What we are today is due, in large part, to what some have called Manrique DNA, and it has taken a long time for the administrations to pay the tribute that Manrique deserves. I can only thank all the people who have been behind this initiative for their selfless effort, as well as the seven town councils on the island, who are going to join in the collaboration to make this sculpture possible," said the president of the Cabildo, María Dolores Corujo
Alberto Aguiar, Minister of Culture of the Cabildo, the department from which the economic item for the subsidy comes, has expressed himself in the same sense. "The Cabildo of Lanzarote could not stand aside and not contribute to this sculpture not being carried out. It is a sincere, deserved and heartfelt tribute from the citizens to Manrique, and it was our obligation to help make it a reality," said Aguiar.
It will be located on the maritime avenue of Arrecife
The sculpture is entitled 'La Mirada de César' and is the work of the sculptor from Gran Canaria, Manolo González. It is a bronze piece weighing more than a ton, which is scheduled to be located on the maritime avenue of Arrecife, between the Casa de los Arroyo and the Arrecife City Council.
According to Manolo González himself, his objective is to capture "César's way of seeing the world, so that people can sit down, touch the sculpture and, in turn, be accessible to anyone who wants to feel the artist."
