Twelve meters tall she stands. A girl named Julia. This is the Coslada Sculpture. Or at least this is where it *should* be. I say *should* because this isn’t actually Coslada. This is Madrid. More specifically this is Colon Square in Madrid.
The Coslada Sculpture isn’t actually *in* Coslada. That’s a common misconception. It’s a temporary installation. A majestic 12-meter tall sculpture of a girl with her eyes closed. Jaume Plensa the Catalan artist created it. He envisioned it as a symbol of “tenderness and silence”. A mirror reflecting our longing for serenity in a busy world.
Julia’s presence in Colon Square is part of a larger project. The Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation and Madrid City Council initiated it. They aim to bring more art to Madrid’s streets. The project will continue for three more years. Other sculptures will appear in public places chosen through public votes.
Imagine Julia here for only a year. A temporary guardian of the square. She replaces the Christopher Columbus statue. That statue stood in the same spot for years. But now Julia stands tall. Her closed eyes speak volumes. She invites contemplation. She whispers a quiet story of peace.
Plensa has another sculpture in Madrid. It resides in the Glass Palace in Retiro Park. He calls the pairing a “lovely duality”. One sculpture in a bustling square. One in the tranquil park. Two facets of the city’s soul. Two works expressing the artist’s vision of tenderness and silence.
This Coslada Sculpture a temporary wonder. It is here for only a year. But for now. Julia stands as a powerful symbol of quiet contemplation in the heart of Madrid. Take a moment to absorb the serenity. It is a fleeting gift. A quiet moment in a city that never sleeps. Remember this moment when Julia is gone. Remember the peace she brought. Remember the Coslada Sculpture.