The Fundación Juan March presents a bold exhibition, «Lo tienes que ver. La autonomía del color en el arte abstracto», which becomes a vibrant tribute to the freedom and transcendence of color in the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. From February 28th to June 8th, the institution offers a unique exploration of the emancipation of color in artistic practice, from its initial experiments to its full autonomy in contemporary art.
Color as the Protagonist of the Abstract Revolution
This exhibition challenges the traditional conception of art by placing color at the center of the scene. Artists such as Kazimir Malévich, Yves Klein, Lucio Fontana, Olafur Eliasson, and Teresa Lanceta have transformed color into a structuring principle, going beyond line, form, and representation. From Malévich’s bold suprematist paintings to Eliasson’s immersive installations, the exhibition offers a fresh and radical perspective on chromatic autonomy. This is a celebration of color as pure essence, detached from its descriptive function, inviting the viewer to see, feel, and reflect on its power.
A Sensory and Reflective Journey: Film, Sculpture, and More
What makes this exhibition unique is its diversity of media: painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, film, video, and even site-specific interventions. The works do not merely speak of color; they live it. Felipe Pantone’s installation, Carlos Cruz-Diez’s chromosaturation, and Yves Klein’s iconic blue pigment rain are just a few of the sensory experiences unfolding before the viewer’s eyes.
Furthermore, the exhibition delves into the theoretical history of color, an aspect that has never before been presented with such emphasis. A «cabinet of wonder» dedicates space to early color theorists such as Goethe and Turner, providing insight into how pigments, dye plants, and the history of color have intertwined with art and science over the centuries.
Color in Motion: Coloramas and the Immersive Experience
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is «Coloramas», the first immersive installation at the Fundación Juan March, developed by Santaella Lab. This installation makes color tangible as a physical and luminous phenomenon, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the theory of color and its various cultural dimensions: political, ideological, and artistic. «You Have to See It» is, without a doubt, an exhibition that is not only seen but also lived.
Music, Reflection, and Experience
The proposal extends beyond visual art; it also explores the connection between color and music. A concert cycle titled «Listening to Color» will take the audience on a synesthetic journey where music merges with the vibrant hues of color, uniting the visual and sonic arts in a unique spectacle.
A Provocative Title: “You Have to See It
The exhibition’s title is a provocation in itself: color is something to be experienced, not simply understood. The famous phrase by Walter Benjamin, «Color must be seen», encapsulates the essence of this show. It is an invitation to leave theory behind and surrender to the sensory experience of color in art.
Exhibition Highlights
Among the most prominent artists featured in the exhibition are:
Kazimir Malévich: Pioneer of abstraction and creator of suprematism, whose works inaugurated a new era of color as an autonomous element in art.
Yves Klein: The innovative French artist who developed his own shade of blue (the famous Klein Blue), challenging the conventions of painting.
Olafur Eliasson: Known for his immersive installations that explore light, color, and perception.
Teresa Lanceta: An artist who fuses color and traditional textures with a contemporary and experimental approach.
Don’t miss this unique exhibition that reimagines modern art through the lens of color and its ability to transform perception, thought, and experience. You Have to See It!
Image credits: 1st – José María Yturralde. Postlude, 2005. Artist’s collection. 2nd – Carlos Cruz Diez, pre-installation. 3rd and 4th – Room view, pre-installation. Close-up work by Felipe Pantone. 5th – Yves Klein. Pluie bleue (S 36) and Pur Pigment, 1957. Private collection. © The Estate of Yves Klein c/o ADAGP, Paris, 2025. © The Estate of Yves Klein, VEGAP, Madrid, 2025. Photo: Dolores Iglesias