The surroundings of Alhóndiga Bilbao

ART CITY

Bilbao's commitment to artistic expression is intimately tied to the shift in the model of urban and economic development.

Not only is the Guggenheim Museum able to attract the most sophisticated contemporary art shows, but both the Fine Arts Museum and Bilbao Arte Foundation have also displayed a spectacular renewal, promoting programmes to produce and disseminate art of all types.

Art in the street

Wandering around Bilbao, one can enjoy works by artists who let their imagination fly, turning the city into a veritable open air museum.

Such artists as: Salvador DALI, Eduardo CHILLIDA, Jorge OTEIZA, Miquel NAVARRO, Manolo VALDES, Jeef KOONS, Louise BORGOISE, Vicente LARREA, and many more, offer a fresh and novel perspective to a number of sites around the city.

BILBAO GARDEN 2011

In the spring/summer of 2007, Bilbao became an exhibition of unique and interesting urban gardens. It was the first ever international urban gardening competition to be organised.

Other competitions across the world had achieved renown but none had ever committed to making a city the main focus of the contest, as Bilbao did.

Philippe STARCK was commissioned to give life to what could be best described as the renaissance of the Alhóndiga, converting it into a cultural and sports centre, library, cinema and media centre.

The exterior of the building consists of modern and elegant urban equipment, the design of which was also entrusted to the Starck studio.

On a floor surface which suggests a French carpet, Philippe STARCK designed urban furnishings whose manufacture was assigned to the ONN Outside firm from Bizkaia.

Such products as benches, chairs, and a chess table, give a welcoming, almost cosy atmosphere which invites one to enjoy the surroundings of this emblematic building of Bilbao.

Banco, papelera, mesa ajedrez y taburete

The bench with armrests, corten steel structure, backrest and seat made from tali wood treated with teak oil. (image 1).

The waste management bin organic, packaging, paper.) made from corten steel, with three compartments differentiated by colours for the separation of waste. Incorporates ashtray. (image 2).

The chair made from bronze-casting, backrest and seat in tali wood treated with teak oil. (image 3)

Arriquibar Square, found at the main entrance to the Alhóndiga, has been transformed into a garden with singularly unusual items like Game 12 and 16 (images 4 and 6), which evoke a sort of abstract confessional and a corner where lovers can hide from the unwelcome eyes of strangers.

Game 12 y 16. Mobiliario Plaza Arrikibar

Walking around the building, we find other outstanding items like Game 5, made from corten steel in Iparraguirre Street and Game 18, walkway made from corten steel and tali wood in Fernandez del Campo Street.

Game 5 y Pasarela