Laboral Centro de Arte and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza seal an alliance until 2028 to boost Asturian creation

Laboral Centro de Arte and Artistic Creation and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza officially signed yesterday in Gijón a collaboration agreement that will run until 2028. The partnership will allow artists based in Asturias to present their performative proposals at the prestigious Madrid museum. The agreement also foresees that the Asturian centre will host some of the artistic actions developed within the Thyssen-Bornemisza’s Vision and Presence programme.

The Regional Minister for Culture, Language Policy and Sport of the Principality of Asturias, Vanesa Gutiérrez, welcomed the signing of the agreement and highlighted its strategic importance: “It is a firm step towards building networks and creating opportunities for contemporary creation, positioning Asturian art within the national and international circuit.” This objective aligns with the core values of Oviedo European Capital of Culture 2031, including international projection, networking and support for contemporary creation.

Along the same lines, Semíramis González, Director of Laboral Centro de Arte and Artistic Creation and curator of visual arts for the Oviedo 2031 candidature, underlined that the agreement “creates a direct dialogue between two highly relevant institutions, promotes the visibility of contemporary women creators and strengthens cultural networks between territories.”

The signing of the agreement was anything but conventional. Asturian artist Mónica Cofiño, also curator of contemporary performing arts for the Oviedo 2031 candidature, transformed the event into a performative action in the form of a symbolic wedding officiated by La Santa Bercina. Contemporary art, yes — but with humour and a distinct aroma of cabbage.

Cofiño will be one of the artists presenting her work at the Thyssen-Bornemisza, alongside María Vallina, with Silence Broken for an Encounter at the Limits of Habitability. Meanwhile, Laboral Centro de Arte will host three performances during the first year of the collaboration: Asturian artist Noemí Iglesias Barrios on 24 April; Agnes Essonti on 11 June, transforming a communal meal into a space for exchange around roots, body and migrant communities; and Teresa Correa, who will close the cycle on 15 October.

The presentation of the agreement was also attended by Guillermo Solana, Artistic Director of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, who celebrated the growing presence of performance art within the museum’s galleries and expressed his wish for the collaboration to be renewed and expanded to further programmes.

Nestos alcuentros tratáronse temes como les necesidaes culturales y sociales de cada barriu, la descentralización de la cultura y la creación de sinerxes. Dende l’Ayuntamientu queremos dar les gracies a tolos que participaron ayeri nesta iniciativa y animámoslos a espardela pa convertir a Uviéu nun referente cultural, poniendo los sos habitantes nel centru.