The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote has presented a motion for debate in the next Plenary Session of the Corporation, in which it urges the Government of the Canary Islands to acquire the property located at number 9 Calle Santa Cruz de Marcenado, in Madrid. This building houses a valuable ceramic mural designed by César Manrique in 1954, the only one by the artist that is at street level outside the Canary Islands.
The work, currently in danger of disappearing, is located inside and on the facade of a premises that is for sale and lacks any type of legal protection. In this context, the socialist councilor and former head of the Culture area, Alberto Aguiar, has stated that "we cannot allow a unique work by our most universal artist to be lost. It is our responsibility to protect it and give it the value it deserves."
Aguiar emphasizes that "extracting the mural to move it would be the last resort, since it would imply decontextualizing it and breaking with the artist's original vision. The most reasonable and sensible thing is to acquire the property, taking advantage of the fact that it is for sale."
The property is located just 40 meters from the Casa de Canarias in Madrid, which makes it a strategic enclave to reinforce the institutional presence of the Islands in the capital of the State. In addition, it is only 350 meters from the Benito Pérez Galdós Public Library, which opens the possibility of dedicating the space to the dissemination of the work of island creators.
"The legacy of César Manrique is a treasure that we must preserve and project. This mural is part of our cultural history and has enormous symbolic value. Betting on its protection is also betting on our identity," Aguiar defended.
The motion of the Socialist Group contemplates that, once the property is acquired, it will be used for cultural activities linked to Canarian creation, with the aim of consolidating a space that serves as a platform for projecting island talent in the heart of Madrid.