The late Spanish Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida was world renowned for his monumental abstract works. To launch the exhibition of his work — “Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” — that will be at the Meadows Museum thru Sunday, June 3, a cocktail reception with pintxos was held complete with Eduardo’s sons and local collectors like Dolores and Larry Barzune. Here’s a report from the field:
“Memory, Mind, Matter: The Sculpture of Eduardo Chillida” opened at the Meadows Museum on Friday, February 2, with an evening of art lovers and Museum supporters to see the city’s first exhibition dedicated exclusively to the work of one of Spain’s most celebrated modern sculptors — Eduardo Chillida.
Mark Roglán, the Linda P. and William A. Custard Director of the Meadows Museum, and the artist’s sons Luis Chillida and Eduardo Chillida Belzunce welcomed guests that included Luis’ wife Cristina Fernández de Luz and Eduardo’s wife Susana Álvarez San Martín and toasted the opening.
Chillida’s Basque roots inspired the menu of pintxos (Basque-style tapas on wooden skewers) created by Salum and paired with wine and cider of the region from Aitor Madina from MyB Imports. Local musician Eddie Healy completed the feel for the evening with classical guitar music.
Luis, who is also the director of the Fundación Eduardo Chillida-Pilar Belzunce, spoke with guests about his father’s art and inspiration, as well as the variety of media he used in his pieces including iron, stone, ceramic, alabaster and paper. Personal stories about the works provided a deeper experience for art lovers like Sarah Roby, Joe Abbey, Mary Jo Rausch, Doug Campbell, Gaylan and Kevin Sapp, Jane Vanecar, Dr. Paul Radman, Linda and John McFarland, Kim and George Mason, Jorja and Tim Krause, Joyce Sanders, Robert LeBovitz, Katherine and Key Coker, Joaquin Achucarro, Linda Custard, Linda and Jack Tinsley, Ova Terrel, Christina Kinser, Nasher Sculpture Center’s Jeremy Strick and Jed Morse, Tasende Gallery’s J.M. Tasende, Hauser And Wirth’s Susie Guzman as they were given insight into Chillida’s process and motivations.
A complimentary exhibition “Chillida in Dallas: De Musica at the Meyerson,” curated by Meadows/Mellon/Prado Curatorial Fellow Amanda Dotseth, highlights the artist’s longstanding connection to Dallas with the monumental sculpture at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Chillida was selected for the commission by the Dallas Symphony Foundation Arts Committee, in close consultation with architect and Committee member I.M. Pei. Luis Chillida remarked that seeing the sculpture in its permanent Dallas home was a remarkable experience. Dotseth also spoke enthusiastically about Chillida’s work with Pei and how fortunate the foundation was to have a treasure trove of material from the project.
* Photo provided by Meadows Museum