SUMMER 2025 AT MACA: ATCHUGARRY, BALDESSARI AND CARO

Pablo Atchugarry: El color en mi vida (Color in My Life)

For the first time since 1971, renowned Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry returns to his pictorial roots in an exhibition featuring his paintings and drawings. This deeply introspective showcase allows the audience to discover an unexplored chapter in the artist's career.

In Atchugarry’s own words: “There is no sculpture without painting. I want to recover that identity that is no longer known. Painting was the essence of my life for a long time until it transformed into sculpture.” Through this exhibition, visitors will be able to appreciate how color and form became the foundations of his three-dimensional work.

The introductory essay by Italian critic Marco Meneguzzo highlights the introspective importance of painting in Atchugarry’s life, who views this showcase as a personal homage to his artistic journey. Additionally, the artist's formative context is revealed as a rich interaction between his family environment and the influence of Joaquín Torres García, an essential figure in the history of Uruguayan art.

John Baldessari: El fin de la línea (The End of the Line)

The first comprehensive exhibition of John Baldessari in South America arrives at MACA in collaboration with the Craig Robins Collection and MALBA (Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires). Featuring over 40 works, including paintings, photographs, and installations, this exhibition spans five decades of production by the master of conceptual art.

Curated by Karen Grimson, the exhibition is organized into four thematic axes exploring Baldessari’s foundational gestures and his constant dialogue between image and language. Among the standout pieces are works from the 1960s and 1970s, including the iconic Throwing Three Balls in the Air to Get a Straight Line (Best of Thirty-Six Attempts).

A bilingual monographic catalog (Spanish and English) with essays and testimonials from contemporary artists reflecting on Baldessari’s influence on global conceptual art will accompany the exhibition. This tribute also celebrates the artist's historic ties to South America, recalling his first exhibition in the region, organized by the CAYC in Buenos Aires in 1974.

Anthony Caro: La escultura como composición (Sculpture as Composition)

As part of the centenary of Anthony Caro's birth, MACA presents an anthological exhibition exploring the iconic sculptures of this leading figure in modern British art. Organized in collaboration with The Anthony Caro Center and curated by Kosme de Barañano, the exhibition showcases Caro’s artistic development from the 1950s to 2013.

Caro’s legacy, characterized by his revolutionary removal of the pedestal in sculpture, is presented through works that highlight his ability to transform space with a distinctive architectural approach. The exhibition also includes early drawings that offer a unique insight into the artist’s creative process.

Caro, who was a teacher and mentor to generations of sculptors such as Antony Gormley and Rachel Whiteread, left an indelible mark on criticism and artistic production. His writings and reflections continue to inspire contemporary artistic discourse, solidifying him as an essential figure in art history.

Opening date: January 4, 2025, 6:00 PM at MACA Museum, Ruta 104 km 4.5, Manantiales, Uruguay