Santi Flores transforms Albacete: an open-air museum on the Civic Axis
In April 2023 , the center of Albacete was transformed into a vibrant hub of contemporary art thanks to an ambitious urban exhibition by local sculptor Santi Flores . For several months, the city's renowned Civic Axis became an open-air museum , marking a milestone in the local cultural scene and solidifying the public presence of contemporary sculpture in urban spaces.
Giant sculptures that engage in dialogue with the city
The exhibition was officially launched on April 29, 2023 , and was promoted by the Albacete City Council with the aim of integrating art into public spaces, bringing it closer to citizens in their daily lives. The installation featured 16 monumental sculptures , each approximately 4.5 meters tall , distributed across emblematic locations in the city such as Plaza del Altozano and Plaza de Gabriel Lodares .
The stylized, human figures, with their characteristic vertical presence and visual impact, are formally inspired by pieces the artist had previously exhibited on Broadway in New York . However, the texture and surface treatment of these sculptures from Albacete allow the nature of the material—stainless steel—to be appreciated, conveying a rawer, more direct presence, almost purely sculptural.
An exhibition that integrates diverse artistic experiences
The opening of the exhibition included more than just the contemplation of sculptures: International Dance Day was celebrated with a performance around the pieces installed in Plaza del Altozano, generating a dialogue between body movement and sculptural presence.
In addition, on that same day, the Municipal Film Library hosted the screening of the short film Solitud , directed by Patricia Ortiz, which explores the creative process of Santi Flores himself and offers the public an immersion in the conceptual thinking that underpins the exhibition.
Solitude: multiplicity and reflection
The Albacete Municipal Museum also participated in the project with an alternative presentation: an installation entitled Solitude , composed of more than 90 pieces that explored the idea of solitude and multitude, delving into the concept of individual presence versus collectivity.
This dual approach—the monumental in the urban space and the introspective in the gallery—turned the exhibition into a multidimensional experience, inviting reflection on the role of the individual within the community and on the relationship between the work and its context.
Urban Impact and Legacy
Beyond its physical presence, the exhibition represented a boost for local culture. The ambition to transform the Civic Axis into an urban museum not only allowed the residents of Albacete to interact with large-format works, but also drew attention to the importance of integrating contemporary art into city life.
Although some subsequent debates arose about the final fate of several pieces after the exhibition closed, the imprint of that intervention remains a testament to how art can transform and activate public space, inviting contemplation, encounter, and collective participation.