The town hall of Torrevieja has signed an agreement with the Hozono Global Foundation to keep three monumental sculptures by renowned artist Manolo Valdés on public display in the city. The artworks—titled Reina Mariana, Ariela, and Clio Silver—form an urban exhibition running until October 2027.
The first piece, Reina Mariana, was installed on 13th July at the main entrance of the newly pedestrianised port promenade, near the leisure centre. The remaining two sculptures are scheduled to join the port area this week. When Reina Mariana was first presented, Torrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolón did not mention the existence of an agreement, which was formally signed three months after the initial proposal was publicised, nor did he mention the associated 80,000€ cost.
Entitled “Art steps out to meet you. Three sculptures by Manolo Valdés in Torrevieja,” the exhibition aims to invite people to view Torrevieja from a different perspective, presenting the sculptures as an urban experience linked to walking, landscape, and contemplation.
How the arrangement works
Under the terms of the agreement, the Foundation promoted the availability of the pieces and handles their transport, assembly, and eventual removal. However, the local council will reimburse these expenses up to a maximum of 80,000€, including VAT. In addition, the municipality must pay for insurance coverage while the artworks remain under its responsibility, a premium that is not quantified in the public documents.
Municipal officials justified using an agreement rather than a contract on the grounds that the town hall is not purchasing a service or paying a fee to Hozono Global, which is a major provider of works and services for Torrevieja. Instead, the initiative involves a cultural collaboration to achieve a shared objective without granting the Foundation any business profit or remuneration for its management efforts. Municipal subsidies were likewise ruled out because the town hall is directly involved in providing public spaces, conservation, and custody rather than simply funding an external activity.
Millions in insured art
The three monumental aluminium and steel sculptures carry a combined reference value for insurance purposes of approximately 2,57 million €.
- Reina Mariana: Created in 2019 and inspired by Velázquez’s portrayal of Mariana of Austria in Las Meninas, this 900-kilogram piece stands 2,80 metres tall and is valued at 849,000€.
- Ariela: Dating from 2011 and crafted from painted aluminium, this 970-kilogram sculpture is insured at 737,000€.
- Clio Silver: The largest of the three, created in 2019 from polished aluminium and stainless steel, weighs 4,300 tonnes and reaches 5,30 metres in height, carrying a valuation of 983,000€.
While Reina Mariana has been on display since July, the arrival of Ariela and Clio Silver was anticipated for Thursday, 8 October, though potential delays could apply. The exhibition is planned to conclude on 30th October 2027, with the agreement remaining valid until the end of that year to finalise the removal of the works and settle pending financial obligations.
