How to take advantage of a necessary public infrastructure to promote avant-garde art and to improve the local tourism offer.

The town of Llanes has a fishing harbour which was enlarged in 1994. A new dike was built, and big concrete blocks were placed around it for its protection. In order to reduce the unwanted aesthetic effect of this breakwater, the local authorities proposed to recover this space by creating a big mural which would improve the aesthetic effect of the concrete and prevent the accumulation of dirt, as it would have to be cleaned and maintained. The artist chosen for this project was Agustín Ibarrola.

The objectives of the mural by Ibarrola are:

Over 20.000 people visited the breakwater in the first opening month, and over 1.500 tourists visit it every weekend. This promotes the affluence of tourists during the low season, enhancing employment in the area and thus improving the living conditions of employees in a sector which represents the 59% of active population. This avant-garde plastic creation has received a wide national and international attention.

Llanes City Council
C/ Nemesio Sobrino, s/n
33500 Llanes
Spain
Phone: +34 985402635
Fax: +34 985401819
adl_ayllanes@yahoo.es

30/11/2006

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Waterside development