Madrid is undergoing a vibrant transformation in the contemporary art world, moving beyond its rich history of Old Masters. Spearheading this shift is SOLO CSV, an innovative arts and culture space born from the acclaimed international SOLO arts project, spearheaded by Ana Gervás and David Cantolla. This new venue promises to be a cornerstone for modern artistic expression in the Spanish capital, offering a fresh perspective on its global artistic standing.
Strategically positioned near the verdant Parque del Oeste, SOLO CSV marks an exciting new chapter for the SOLO collection, curated by Ana Gervás and David Cantolla. The venue made its grand debut in June, featuring an inaugural exhibition by William Mackinnon within its specially designed gallery, Bowman Hal. This space is currently home to \"WE ALL SHINE ON,\" a mesmerizing collection of paintings by Los Angeles-based artist Aaron Johnson, inviting visitors into a realm of cosmic splendor.
To realize their vision, SOLO enlisted the expertise of the Spanish architectural firm Estudio Herreros. They masterfully converted a sprawling 4,000-square-meter former printworks into an engaging art labyrinth. This design cleverly maintains an industrial aesthetic while incorporating elements of domestic charm. Unlike conventional white-walled galleries, CSV offers a series of surprising encounters, blurring the lines between interior and exterior spaces through its perceptive design and strategically placed paned windows that offer intriguing glimpses into the collection.
Beyond Bowman Hal, the facility serves as a central hub for various initiatives under the SOLO arts incubator. These include ONKAOS, a program dedicated to digital arts and new media; a large, on-site laboratory for art conservation and restoration; and the recently launched Movimiento 37. The latter is an experimental project that celebrates cross-cultural artistic dialogue, set to commence with a captivating showcase of sound and video works by Georgian artist Koka Nikoladze.
While SOLO’s primary location, Independencia (formerly Colleción SOLO), continues to display its extensive 1,200-piece collection across the city, the opening of CSV signifies a dynamic new era for the collection. This expansion not only reinforces SOLO’s role as a unifying force in the art community but also reflects its unwavering commitment to exploration and innovation. Even in its nascent stages, CSV has already established itself as an essential destination for anyone eager to explore contemporary art in Madrid.