In the midst of the aisles and booths at Madrid’s contemporary art fair, ARCO, stands the depiction of a man who holds great significance in the history of modern art. Eugenio Merino, a Spanish artist, created the artwork Aquí Murió Picasso (Picasso Died Here), 2017, which is based on Picasso’s lifeless body.
However, the inspiration for the artwork comes from the image of the artist that is well-known, including his blue-striped Breton shirt, white linen pants, and espadrilles. The sculpture is larger than life, measuring just over 6 feet long, despite Picasso’s actual height of 5 feet 4 inches.
On the opening day of the art fair, the sculpture drew the attention of crowds, according to the Spanish publication El País. La Vanguardia described the work as a “souvenir of death” that was particularly attractive to selfie enthusiasts looking for a way to garner likes on social media. Curated by Los Interventores and presented by ADN Gallery, the sculpture was created as a critique of mass tourism, the commercialization of art fairs, and the cultural obsession with taking selfies.
Despite the intended critique, the sculpture invites fairgoers to take pictures with it, essentially turning it into a tourist attraction. Merino explained that the sculpture was inspired by the characteristics of an attraction outlined in Dean MacCannell’s 1976 book “The Tourist,” which the artist believes reflects the current state of the art world and art fairs.
Merino pointed out that institutions and companies often use culture to improve their public image. Therefore, it is crucial that his artwork is presented both as a commodity to be sold and as a source of symbolic value. It serves as a space where art consumers can take selfies and create a souvenir that reminds them of their presence where Picasso died. Merino acknowledged that, like any tourist attraction, it is not authentic. The sculpture is available in a limited edition of three and is priced at €45,000. ARCO will be open until February 26th.