With Love From Spain

The exhibition With Love from Spain in Aalborg, Denmark, is a collaboration between Utzon Center and the Aarhus School of Architecture. It is based on the research project “Escandinavia - Architectural dialogues between Denmark and Spain”, which investigates the fortunate parallelisms, influences and translations between Nordic and Spanish architectural cultures. The origin of this long-term affinity is to be found in the significant interest that Spanish architects had in Nordic architecture, extensively focused on its Modern Masters: Alvar Aalto, Erik Gunnar Asplund, Sigurd Lewerentz, Sverre Fehn, Arne Jacobsen, and Jørn Utzon.

Some of the most renowned Spanish architects of the 20th century –such as Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oíza, Miguel Fisac, Josep María Sostres, Alejandro de la Sota and Rafael Moneo- have acknowledged the influence of the Nordic masters on their work, whose presence can be detected in several of their masterpieces. Through decades, the Spanish architect Felix Solaguren Beascoa has provided an extensive presentation of the significant impact that Scandinavian architecture has had on several generations of Spanish architects in the second half of the twentieth century.

We have recently witnessed a new generation of Spanish reference-based buildings from the Nordic masters that await to be related to the previous generations to form a coherent picture. The work of these architects also contributes to the dissemination of architectural culture and values at a very high level, having some of them acquired international recognition. It is the case of Nieto and Sobejano, Linazasoro&Sanchez, Ted'A arquitectes, or H arquitectes. To maintain a sense of continuity and relevance, examination and dissemination of the constructed works from this second generation need to be done.

This project highlights the relevance of Nordic Modernism for the architectural culture in an international context, grounded on two key aspects: refined care towards craftsmanship and delicate connection with the landscape. Thanks to the influence of their Nordic counterparts, Spanish architects have reinterpreted and re-elaborated these aspects in their own territory, originating a constructed landscape of undeniable relevance.

It creates a sense of entering a Spanish landscape populated with 1:1 architectural installations designed by TEd´A arquitectos, Aulets and Luis Martinez Santa-María. Alongside the installations, recent works from 11 Spanish practices are on display. The selected practices are: Linazasoro&Sanchez, Nieto & Sobejano, Paredes Pedrosa, Luis Martínez Santa-María, Javier García Solera, Tabuenca &Leache arquitectos, BAAS, Harquitectes, Aulets, TEd’A arquitectes and Carles Oliver (IBAVI). The exhibition also includes excerpts from dialogues between the participants and a monthly Thursday talks series.

The Utzon Center's general philosophy is to disseminate architecture as a valuable experience for people's everyday lives. Its exhibitions aim to inspire and evoke fascination using sensory experience and movement through space rather than traditional modes of dissemination. As an extended life of the exhibition, the project ambitions to find hosting Institutions in other Nordic countries –Finland, Sweden and Norway- and Spain.