Art, since its inception, has been a mirror of human emotions, thoughts and experiences. However, throughout history, Many works have been censored, prohibited or silenced by power structures, in response to their controversial, subversive or uncomfortable content. In Barcelona, this resistance and questioning history materializes in the Prohibited art museuma unique space that defies the limits of art and censorship.
This museum was born in 2018, when the journalist and businessman Tatxo Benet acquired the work ‘political prisoners in contemporary Spain’ by Santiago Sierra, a piece that had been censored and withdrawn at the Arc de Madrid Fair. The work, composed of about twenty black and white photographs, generated controversy and aroused debates about the limits of artistic freedom. The acquisition of this piece was the germ for the creation of the museumthat today houses a collection of more than 200 censored, prohibited works or withdrawals of exhibitions in different contexts and epochs.
The prohibited art museum is located on 250 Diputació Street, In a modernist building designed by Enric Sagnierin the Eixample neighborhood. The choice of space is not accidental: its architectural beauty and history contribute a perfect symbolic framework for the exhibition of works that, at the time, challenged social norms and conventions. The collection covers from Paints, sculptures, engravings, photographs, facilities and audiovisual worksmainly created during the second half of the twentieth century and today.
-Among the exposed works are Prenowned artists such as Picasso, Goya, Klimtas well as contemporary works by artists such as Andrés Serrano, Tania Bruguera and Ai Weiwei. For example, ‘Piss Christ’ (1987) by Serrano, a photograph that shows a cross submerged in urine, has been subject to controversy and censorship several times. The sculpture ‘Not dressed for conquering’ de Ines Doujakwhich represents the Emeritus King, is also part of the collection. In addition, works such as ‘Western and Christian civilization’ by León Ferrari or ‘The Fosphor Box’ of Public Women, with its direct and challenging message, reflect issues such as religion, politics and freedom of expression.
A museum with pedagogical vocation
What makes this museum unique is not only its collection, but also its pedagogical approach and its willingness to tell the stories behind each work. Each piece is accompanied by explanations about the reasons why it was censored or prohibitedincluding press clippings, videos, projections and QR codes that allow access to a complete digital guide. In this way, the visitor not only contemplates the work, but also includes the social, political and cultural context that led to his censorship.
The prohibited art museum not only seeks to exhibit censored works, but also Promote a debate on the limits of art and freedom of expression. The central question he raises is: How far can art come without crossing certain limits? The collection draws a tour from the illustration to current neoliberal societies, showing how censorship has been a constant in art history.
