The itinerary proposed here focuses on Joan Miró and his connection with the city of Barcelona.
The panoramic view that gives the itinerary its image takes us back to a creative performance that Miró did in 1969 on the windows of the COAC building, which we can now see thanks to the film made by Pere Portabella. The fact that Miró was surrounded by the citizens of Barcelona while he created and destroyed his work on the windows of the COAC shows that his connection with the city was very strong. Fortunately, there are many places where you can follow in his footsteps and learn about his emotional connection to Barcelona.
The starting point is Terminal 2B at El Prat Airport, where you will find the large ceramic mural by Joan Miró and Josep Llorens i Artigas on one of the building’s exterior walls. This monumental work, measuring 10 metres high by 50 metres long, is one of four gifts that Miró wanted to give to the Catalan capital. With this work, the artist wanted to welcome everyone arriving by air.
Next, crossing Montjuïc mountain, there are two stops on the Miró pilgrimage. On one side, overlooking the sea, is Montjuïc Cemetery, where the artist’s remains lie in the family vault; the pantheon was designed by the Catalan Art Nouveau architect Antoni Vila i Palmés. On the other hand, surrounded by gardens and trees, is the Joan Miró Foundation, designed by architect and friend of Miró, Josep Lluís Sert. It is the centre of reference for the artist’s work and is the greatest example of his generosity towards Barcelona, because the Foundation, for those who don’t know, was also a gift from Miró.
The route continues in the Escorxador Park, now Joan Miró Park, where another of his gifts can be found, the sculpture Woman and Bird. Created in collaboration with Joan Gardy Artigas, it welcomes everyone who arrives by road.
Miró’s last gift, with which he wanted to welcome everyone arriving by sea, is the mosaic in Pla de l’Os, located on one of the main thoroughfares in the city centre, Las Ramblas. Nearby is Passatge del Crèdit, where Miró was born on 20th April 1893, at number 4.
The Catalan and international artist also has works in other museums in Barcelona, such as the Museu del Disseny, the last stop on the itinerary, which houses a collection of ceramics he created in collaboration with Joan Gardy Artigas.
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