Display unveils artworks centering on themes of passion, masculinity, and naked male figures
In the heart of Benidorm, Spain, the cultural programme leading up to the city's Pride celebrations is gaining momentum with the current exhibition at Benidorm City Hall's Espai d'Art. Titled "Visible Bodies: Art and Desire," the exhibition features a variety of artists, though specific names are not yet widely available.
The exhibition, which runs until September 12, seeks to balance both perspectives, making visible what has too often been hidden. It represents a transformation of masculinity, according to Mari Ángeles Rodenas, one of the curators of the exhibition.
A highlight of the cultural programme is the screening and discussion of David Matamoros' film "Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut?" on September 4.
The "Visible Bodies: Art and Desire" exhibition is part of a larger cultural programme aimed at promoting diversity and challenging cultural and social prejudices. It is no coincidence that the exhibition is taking place during the Pride celebrations.
Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Balbyshev boldly champions the male nude, challenging persistent cultural and social prejudices. Balbyshev's work, along with other artists, brings visibility to the male nude, not merely as an object, but as a metaphor for transformation.
Mari Ángeles Rodenas describes the exhibition as a selection of works that explore the body as a metaphor for transformation. Naples-born Alfredo Furiati reinterprets works from Baroque and Classical masters in a contemporary context, further emphasizing the transformation of masculinity.
The exhibition was officially opened by Councillor for Equality Ángela Zaragozi, who highlighted that the male nude has often been marginalised, silenced, censored, or barely visible in museums and throughout history. Zaragozi's opening speech underscored the importance of the exhibition in challenging these historical norms.
Paintings can be purchased via QR codes displayed alongside the artists' works in the exhibition. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of works will go to a humanitarian aid project in Ukraine.
The cultural programme concludes on Friday, September 5, at 7pm in the Casa del Fester auditorium with a talk by Manuela Saborido Muñoz, better known as Manolita Chen. Chen is a Spanish artist and entrepreneur recognised as one of the first transgender women granted adoption rights in 1985 and a leading figure in Spain's LGTBI community.
Visitors to the "Visible Bodies: Art and Desire" exhibition in Benidorm are invited to experience a transformative journey through art, challenging norms and promoting diversity.
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