Conference on the embodiments and representations of Gernika/Guernica

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Organized by the MHLI research group and the UEU, the conference Gernikak: arte bidezko gorpuzteak eta islak [Guernicas: embodiments and reflections through art] was held on October 6, at the Isasi Palace in Eibar.

The main objective of the conference was to reflect on the echo that Picasso’s Guernica and the bombing of Gernika have in the Basque arts. The conference was held on October 6 at the UEU headquarters in Eibar and is part of the monumental research project that the MHLI research group of the UPV/EHU has in hand.

The lecture by anthropologist Joseba Zulaika opened the day after the introductory words of Nerea Eizagirre, member of MHLI (professor and researcher at the UPV/EHU). The conference began with the investigation of the minotaur motifs that are present in the painting Guernica. After this, the anthropologist took us to the historical period of the bombing, through the crossings and denials that the lehendakari Agirre went through. In Zulaika’s words, the lehendakari Agirre embodies the complexity of Gernika as a symbol. The talk ended by reflecting on the international influence of the Guernica painting and, among others, focusing on significant historical facts. Thus, the anthropologist recalled how the replica of the Guernica painting was covered when Colin Powell gave his famous speech at the UN in the context of the Iraq war. In Zulaika’s opinion, Picasso’s Guernica is one of the most significant paintings of the 20th century, and the title itself transfers the symbol to a specific geographical location, to Gernika.

The second lecture was given by Ismael Manterola, art historian and member of MHLI. The expert led the audience through the figures in the painting Guernica, and masterfully examined the lights and shadows surrounding the painting. As the ghosts of World War II began to stir, Pablo Picasso was commissioned by the Government of the Republic while facing a personal situation full of ordeals. Picasso had to create a painting for the International Exhibition of 1937, which took place in Paris, and it was no ordinary challenge. In fact, the painter from Malaga had never created a painting with historical or realistic motifs. However, Picasso overcame what seemed impossible and showed the world that it was possible to reflect the cruelty of war and the convulsive historical situation through an avant-garde painting. Manterola showed the photographs of the first exhibition of the painting at the time of the opening, recalling that both the Basque Government of the time and the Government of the Republic, at that time, did not welcome the painting. The success of the painting spread all over the world at the end of World War II, up to the present day, as Manterola reminded us that even today, when passing in front of Guernica, people remain silent due to the commotion caused by the painting.

After the interventions of both experts, the morning ended with the intervention of creators from various artistic disciplines. Specifically, we had a round table formed by the writer Garbiñe Ubeda, the cartoonist Joseba Larratxe (Josevisky), the musician Aitor Etxebarria and the dancer Jon Maya and led by Miren Ibarluzea (professor at the UPV/EHU and MHLI researcher). All the artists exposed the influence that the painting Guernica has in their own personal memory and in their work.

After lunch, we had time for the film forum with Bego Vicario and Josu Rekalde, under the guidance of Andere Larrinaga (professor and researcher at the UPV/EHU), member of MHLI. First, we saw the animated film “Areka” by Vicario, the result of the collective process of creation of several professors and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UPV/EHU. The short film “Memoria-Amnesia (1937 – 2012)” by Rekalde brings to the screen the echoes of the bodies and corpses murdered by Franco’s regime and that even today many of them are in mass graves.

Undoubtedly, the day was fruitful, and the attendees were eager to continue reflecting on the subject. Precisely, they will have the opportunity to do so, next June 2024, at the international congress organized by the MHLI in Gernika (soon we will make it public on our website in the section Gernika(k)/Guernica(s)).

For more information about the roundtable: https://www.berria.eus/paperekoa/1898/023/001/2023-10-07/gernika-traumaren-aukerak.htm