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Escaldes-Engordany to Pivot Espai Caldes to Modern Art Post-Thyssen Exit

Culture councillor Valentí Closa proposes reorienting Espai Caldes toward contemporary art after Thyssen museum's departure, urging balanced.

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Key Points

  • Thyssen departure creates opportunity to refocus Espai Caldes on modern/contemporary art.
  • Tourist inquiries rose despite relocation, per decade-long data analysis.
  • Rising costs for staff, insurance, and premiums necessitate prudent public funding.
  • No decisions on former Thyssen site; open to collaborations with communal approval.

Valentí Closa, Escaldes-Engordany's culture councillor, has called for reorienting Espai Caldes toward modern and contemporary art following the Thyssen museum's departure from the parish, while underscoring the importance of weighing cultural investments against mounting operational expenses.

Speaking on Saturday at the parish's traditional Sant Antoni escudella event, Closa described the Thyssen's exit as an opportunity to rethink the venue and establish it as the primary cultural attraction in the upper parish. He advocated "betting clearly" on a modern cultural focus to sustain the area's momentum, citing the recent analysis of tourist office data over the past decade. Despite initial fears of declining visitors after relocating from its iconic spot, records showed rising inquiries and strong interest in Espai Caldes, confirming the vibrancy of the zone from the Balmaseda sculpture area through to Caldes.

Closa acknowledged the Thyssen's past role in a key "triangle" with CAEE and Espai Caldes, stating the parish had been "fortunate" to host rarely seen works. However, he stressed that public funding for culture must account for escalating costs, including curators, permanent staff, venue insurance, and artwork premiums, which have surged over the last 10 to 15 years. With Espai Caldes and CAEE already providing sufficient exhibition space, he argued there is no pressing need for more galleries.

On the former Thyssen site in the old Hostal Valira basement—previously leased by the parish—Closa said no decisions have been reached. Ongoing discussions with the culture consellera continue, but lease terms would require renegotiation. The Culture ministry is eyeing it for private pictorial collections, and the parish remains open to collaboration, provided projects gain communal approval. "Everything is on the table," he noted, pending formal communication.

Closa highlighted the parish's longstanding cultural commitment, including under former consellera Gili, but emphasized evaluating costs against returns to avoid hasty expansions.

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