Entering Anselm Kiefer's exhibition at the Hortensia Herrero Art Center is like stepping into a landscape where memory, matter, and silence merge. Each room offers a journey where time seems to accumulate in layers, making Valencia an essential stop for those seeking a profound cultural experience.
Located in a former 17th-century palace in the heart of the city, the center hosts the work of a major contemporary artist for the first time. The exhibition was conceived in close collaboration with the artist and adapted to the space, offering a monumental and material experience. Kiefer's works use unconventional materials such as lead, ash, straw, or earth, imbuing the images with historical and symbolic meaning, evoking devastated landscapes yet also the possibility of reconstruction.
The visual power of Kiefer's works connects with the audience through their ability to evoke emotion without prior explanation. The experience of seeing his art for the first time is unforgettable, with layers of paint, dense textures, and a visual force that captivates immediately.
History, landscape, and mythology intertwine in pieces that reference classical tradition, literature, and music. Works inspired by Greek myths such as Elektra, Dryad, or Danaë, dialogue with the poetry of Baudelaire, Rilke, or Walther von der Vogelweide, or with Schubert's music in Der Tod und das Mädchen. This interdisciplinary approach turns the visit into a cultural journey connecting different eras and forms of expression.
Particularly striking is the work Danaë, over thirteen meters wide, presented for the first time in Europe. Kiefer recreates the interior of Berlin's Tempelhof airport, combining it with the classical myth of Danaë. The piece is impactful due to its scale and symbolic weight, making the viewer feel small in the face of collective history and time.
The sense of time is pervasive throughout the exhibition, almost tangible. Layers of paint, superimposed materials, and cracked or burnt surfaces speak of long processes of creation and erosion. This idea is reinforced by the building itself, a former 17th-century palace with archaeological vestiges that add new layers of interpretation to the experience, creating a dialogue between space and artwork.
In addition to the temporary exhibition, the Hortensia Herrero Art Center features a permanent collection of national and international artists, placing Kiefer's show within a broader artistic context. This combination solidifies the CAHH as one of Valencia's most interesting cultural spaces, having already welcomed nearly half a million visitors.
