Mexico; Josep Maria Subirachs

The sculpture titled “México” is one of the most recognizable of the Ruta de la Amistad.  Standing 10.5 meters high, it’s not even among the biggest, but it seems to insist on its having been seen. The work is by Spanish sculptor, Josep Maria Subirachs.

• Josep Maria Subirachs i Sitjar (1927–2014) is known mostly as a sculptor. But his work, as a painter, engraver, set designer, and art critic, is especially important to understanding the 1968 work here. Internationally recognized, his work has been collected around the world. During his lifetime he produced posters, tapestries, book illustrations, jewelry designs, and contributed set designs for theater and ballet productions. His work is associated with expressionist, abstract, and new figuration movements, characterized by geometric forms, straight, angular lines, and rough textures. He’s likely best-known for sculptural work he contributed to the Basilica of the Sagrada Família in his native Barcelona.