Here stands De los cuatro siglos Sculpture. It is a monument to Buenos Aires’ rich past. Let’s delve into the story behind this special landmark.
De los cuatro siglos Sculpture commemorates the second founding of Buenos Aires. Some historians say Buenos Aires had so much magic that it was founded twice. The first founding was in 1536 by Pedro de Mendoza. That settlement sadly met a grim end in 1541. The second founding happened on June 11, 1580, by Juan de Garay. This one thrived into the giant city we know today.
To mark the Fourth Centenary of that second founding, a contest was held in 1979. The winner was artist Lucía Pacenza. Her creation was inaugurated on December 19, 1980. It stands in the plazoleta Adán Quiroga. This small square honors Adán Quiroga. He was a poet, historian, journalist, and folklorist. He specialized in Calchaquí culture.
You will find De los cuatro siglos Sculpture at the intersection of Avenida Del Libertador and Avenida Guillermo Udaondo. This spot is a border between the Núñez and Belgrano neighborhoods. Pacenza who was born in Buenos Aires in 1940, is a respected artist. She studied with Emilio Petorutti and Leo Vinci. Her work has been shown in many countries.
De los cuatro siglos Sculpture is made entirely of reinforced concrete. A large hole was dug first. Workers installed a form for the fountain below. Then, they built four facing columns. Each column is ten meters tall. The interior of the form was lined with formica before filling. Each column symbolizes a century in the city’s life. They widen at the top, ending in a semi-arch. Pacenza said these arches represent the unification of the past.
The monument may be simple, but it is also powerful. In recent years, a fence has been built around De los cuatro siglos Sculpture and its fountain. This was to prevent vandalism. The monument had suffered graffiti and posters. These acts damaged the structure. Restorations were done in 1997 and 2013. The original construction was funded by a donation from the Gillette Foundation. Special lighting was installed to highlight the artwork at night.
De los cuatro siglos Sculpture is a tribute to the city’s past. It is a reminder of Buenos Aires’ long history. Lucía Pacenza also created the Monumento al Bandoneón. The bandoneón is an iconic tango instrument. It is located in the Carlos Gardel passage.