Juan Cuenca, A Story of Many Dimensions
Letter P of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter P of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

"Abecedario", 2021.  29 laser-cut plywood sheets, stretched and oil-painted, representing 29 letters of the Spanish alphabet. Dimensions: 39,3 x 39,3 cm each, a regulating trace and an explanatory document..

"Abecedario", 2021. 29 laser-cut plywood sheets, stretched and oil-painted, representing 29 letters of the Spanish alphabet. Dimensions: 39,3 x 39,3 cm each, a regulating trace and an explanatory document..

Regulating trace of "Abecedario", 2021

Regulating trace of "Abecedario", 2021

Installation view

Installation view

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"VENUS", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"VENUS", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"DANZA", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

"DANZA", 2022. Laser-cut, tensioned and painted laminated wood. 96,5 x 60 cm

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

"Sillón 3P". "Dominó" model, 2013. Lacquered MDF chipboard. 70 x 57 x 64 cm. Ed. 9/24

"Sillón 3P". "Dominó" model, 2013. Lacquered MDF chipboard. 70 x 57 x 64 cm. Ed. 9/24

"Sillón 3P". "Eclipse" model, 2013. Lacquered MDF chipboard. 70 x 57 x 64 cm. Ed. 7/24

"Sillón 3P". "Eclipse" model, 2013. Lacquered MDF chipboard. 70 x 57 x 64 cm. Ed. 7/24

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

EQUIPO 57. "Butaca" ("Darro" edition), 1961 (rebuilt in 1993). Ash wood (laminated, bent and tensioned) and steel wire ropes. 74,5 x 71,7 x 83 cm

EQUIPO 57. "Butaca" ("Darro" edition), 1961 (rebuilt in 1993). Ash wood (laminated, bent and tensioned) and steel wire ropes. 74,5 x 71,7 x 83 cm

Installation view

Installation view

EQUIPO 57. "Interactividad Cine", 1957. Gouache on paper. 33,7 x 45,5 cm

EQUIPO 57. "Interactividad Cine", 1957. Gouache on paper. 33,7 x 45,5 cm

Installation view

Installation view

"Bucle", 2014. Acrylic painted plywood. 61,5 x 75,5 x 20 cm

"Bucle", 2014. Acrylic painted plywood. 61,5 x 75,5 x 20 cm

"Bucle", 2014. Acrylic painted plywood. 61,5 x 75,5 x 20 cm

"Bucle", 2014. Acrylic painted plywood. 61,5 x 75,5 x 20 cm

Installation view

Installation view

"Ola", 2009. Laminated wood. 52 x 93 x 54 cm.

"Ola", 2009. Laminated wood. 52 x 93 x 54 cm.

Installation view

Installation view

Models of the chairs "Liceo" and "Liceo tú y yo".

Models of the chairs "Liceo" and "Liceo tú y yo".

Installation view

Installation view

"Untitled", 2019. Acrylic painted laminated wood. Ed. 2/3. 28 x 41 x 14,5 cm

"Untitled", 2019. Acrylic painted laminated wood. Ed. 2/3. 28 x 41 x 14,5 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Acrylic painted laminated wood. 29,5 x 30 x 20 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Acrylic painted laminated wood. 29,5 x 30 x 20 cm

"Puente", 2022. Oil-painted laminated wood. 34 x 90 x 26 cm

"Puente", 2022. Oil-painted laminated wood. 34 x 90 x 26 cm

"Vaivén 3", 2018. Lacquered chipboard. Diameter: 34 cm

"Vaivén 3", 2018. Lacquered chipboard. Diameter: 34 cm

"Vaivén 4", 2017. Stainless steel. Diameter: 24 cm

"Vaivén 4", 2017. Stainless steel. Diameter: 24 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Polished and varnished brass. 27 x 24 x 24 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Polished and varnished brass. 27 x 24 x 24 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Polished and varnished brass. 27 x 23,7 x 26,5 cm

"Untitled", 2022. Polished and varnished brass. 27 x 23,7 x 26,5 cm

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

Installation view

"Untitled", 2020. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 47 cm

"Untitled", 2020. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 47 cm

"Untitled", 2020. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm

"Untitled", 2020. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm

"CANES", 2021. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm

"CANES", 2021. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm

Diptych composed of two reliefs: "CU 3R" and "CU 2R", 2021. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm each

Diptych composed of two reliefs: "CU 3R" and "CU 2R", 2021. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. 59 x 59 cm each

Installation view

Installation view

Triptych: "Giro 2R, Giro 3R, Giro 4R", 2022. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. Diameter: 59 cm each

Triptych: "Giro 2R, Giro 3R, Giro 4R", 2022. Stretched and oil-painted plywood. Diameter: 59 cm each

"G1", 2022. Stretched and oil-painted plywood
Diameter: 59 cm

"G1", 2022. Stretched and oil-painted plywood Diameter: 59 cm

Tests, in the form of models, which the artist uses as a first step to elaborate volumes and shapes. They are made on paper, cardboard and wood of different densities.

Tests, in the form of models, which the artist uses as a first step to elaborate volumes and shapes. They are made on paper, cardboard and wood of different densities.

Tests, in the form of models, which the artist uses as a first step to elaborate volumes and shapes. They are made on paper and cardboard of different densities.

Tests, in the form of models, which the artist uses as a first step to elaborate volumes and shapes. They are made on paper and cardboard of different densities.

"Modular Sculpture 2 Untitled", 1973. Oil-painted plaster. 14 x 22 x 22 cm.

"Modular Sculpture 2 Untitled", 1973. Oil-painted plaster. 14 x 22 x 22 cm.

"Modular Sculpture 4 Untitled", 1973. Oil-painted plaster. 13 x 28 x 13 cm.

"Modular Sculpture 4 Untitled", 1973. Oil-painted plaster. 13 x 28 x 13 cm.

"Modular Sculpture 5 Untitled", 1974. Plaster. 13,5 x 15,5 x 21 cm

"Modular Sculpture 5 Untitled", 1974. Plaster. 13,5 x 15,5 x 21 cm

"Modular Sculpture 1 Untitled", 1973. Plaster. 18,5 x 14,5 x 18,5 cm

"Modular Sculpture 1 Untitled", 1973. Plaster. 18,5 x 14,5 x 18,5 cm

"Pliegue", 2021. Brass with aluminum silicate sprayed and varnished, matt gold finish. 23 x 29 x 26 cm

"Pliegue", 2021. Brass with aluminum silicate sprayed and varnished, matt gold finish. 23 x 29 x 26 cm

"Escultura transitable (proyecto obra pública)", 2021. Wood agglomerate. 35 x 65 x 56 cm

"Escultura transitable (proyecto obra pública)", 2021. Wood agglomerate. 35 x 65 x 56 cm

"Untitled", 2021. Oil-painted laminated wood.
15 x 33 x 15 cm

"Untitled", 2021. Oil-painted laminated wood. 15 x 33 x 15 cm

"Untitled", 2001. Painted wood sculpture. 29 x 29 x 29 cm.

"Untitled", 2001. Painted wood sculpture. 29 x 29 x 29 cm.

"Imposible 2", 2012, repainted in lacquer in 2021.
MDF plywood, bent, polyurethane lacquered. 25 x 24 x 6 cm

"Imposible 2", 2012, repainted in lacquer in 2021. MDF plywood, bent, polyurethane lacquered. 25 x 24 x 6 cm

"Imposible 1", 2012, repainted in lacquer in 2021. MDF plywood, bent, polyurethane lacquered. 26,7 x 47 x 6 cm

"Imposible 1", 2012, repainted in lacquer in 2021. MDF plywood, bent, polyurethane lacquered. 26,7 x 47 x 6 cm

Letter A of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter A of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter B of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter B of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter C of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter C of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter D of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter D of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter E of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter E of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter F of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter F of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter G of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter G of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter H of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter H of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter I of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter I of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter J of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter J of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter K of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter K of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter L of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter L of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter LL of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter LL of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter M of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter M of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter N of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter N of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Ñ of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Ñ of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter O of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter O of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Q of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Q of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter R of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter R of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter RR of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter RR of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter S of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter S of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter T of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter T of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter U of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter U of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter V of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter V of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter W of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter W of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter X of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter X of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Y of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Y of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Z of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

Letter Z of "Alfabeto", 2021. Laser-cut plywood sheet, stretched and oil-painted. 39,3 x 39,3 cm

As part of the APERTURA Madrid Gallery Weekend 2022 festival, the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Hotel selected to exhibit the sculpture Sequoya (Juan Cuenca. Sequoya, 2015. Sequoya wood, 240 x 42 x 37 cm).

As part of the APERTURA Madrid Gallery Weekend 2022 festival, the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Hotel selected to exhibit the sculpture Sequoya (Juan Cuenca. Sequoya, 2015. Sequoya wood, 240 x 42 x 37 cm).

Juan Cuenca, A Story of Many Dimensions

Juan Cuenca, Equipo 57

from September 8, 2022 to October 29, 2022

In 1884 Edwin Abbott Abbott published under the pseudonym A Square, the novel Flatland, A Romance of Many Dimensions. In it, he spoke of a world in which only two dimensions existed, a two-dimensional world where its protagonist, a square, narrates in first person a dream in which he escapes from his flat, two-dimensional world to a more complex three-dimensional world.

This exhibition addresses the artistic practice of Juan Cuenca in which, just as in the story we mentioned, his works try to escape from two-dimensionality to three-dimensionality, using small subtle gestures that somehow completely transform the character of these pieces, their essence, to make them shift from their formative two-dimensionality, to a new objectual and factual three-dimensionality. In addition -just as in the story- they are traversed by a fourth dimension: time, which in turn is transformed into memory.

Although it is not a dimension, there is an element that runs through all the works in this exhibition, which rests on their surface and provides a series of complex and hybrid qualities that are difficult to interpret until we come across the work that is possibly the main piece that articulates the exhibition: AYZ. A typographic alphabet that emerges from plane to space through a small arching of its surface and is covered by a complex code of colors related to the phonetics of each letter.

If the appearance of color in Flatland led to a revolution in the two-dimensional world, this piece overflows itself, the color fills the work with new meanings and we discover ourselves pronouncing its colors and looking for its echoes in the rest of the works, past and present -even in those created collectively-, becoming a choral ensemble of painting, sculpture, furniture design...

With this exhibition we want to show recently created works together with projects and pieces in many other dimensions and disciplines, as well as works by Equipo 57, delving into the complexity and diversity of his work throughout his professional and vital trajectory without which it is not possible to understand his work, in its full dimension.

Text by Ramón Mateos (curator), 2022



Press release

Exhibition overview

Document, part of the "Abecedario" work

Article by Miguel Cereceda in ABC Cultural

View works