The Cultural Heritage department of La Laguna City Council has announced that it is in the process of arranging the first phase of restoration work for the sculptures situated in the streets and public spaces of the municipality. In this initial phase, restoration will focus on six urban sculptures and busts, prioritising those that are in the most deteriorated state or require immediate attention, based on data gathered from a recent inventory conducted by Cultania, commissioned by the department. This inventory has enabled the geolocation of the 94 sculptures currently existing in the municipality.
This thorough field research and compilation of historical references have also allowed for comprehensive details about the conservation status, origins, and types of this extensive local urban heritage to be compiled, as well as the inclusion of previously unlisted works into the municipal catalogue.
The Cultural Heritage Department is now set to commence rehabilitation and repair work on six selected pieces, including their bases and pedestals. The precise budget for the work is still being determined, but plans are in place for the project to be undertaken via a minor contract, with commencement expected in the upcoming weeks.
Councillor Adolfo Cordobés, responsible for the Cultural Heritage area, stated, “We have opted to implement the plan for preventive interventions and conservation of these monuments in stages to expedite the process and prioritise those with the most significant deterioration or risk. Our goal is to avert serious material loss that would necessitate extensive restoration, thereby incurring additional costs.”
Selected Works
In particular, the sculptures and busts chosen for this initial intervention phase include La Dama de Aguere, created by Fernando García Ramos, “Garciarramos”, in 1987, located in the city centre; Monumento al Vecino, by José Cabello and Ricardo Bonet from Taller Tamiz (the concrete structure was designed and calculated by the public company Muvisa), established in 2000 and positioned on Avenida Lora y Tamayo; and Sebastián Ramos (El Puntero), a piece by Eladio de la Cruz from 1990 situated at the viewpoint of Punta del Hidalgo. Furthermore, the sculpture in front of the Casa del Peón Caminero de Tejina, by Orlando Hernández, from 2003; the bust La Laguna to the Musician Teobaldo Power, constructed in 1969 and found in Las Mercedes; and lastly, the bust of Pedro González, a work by Vicente Pérez Fernández from 1987, which has been placed in the Vega park since 2007.
These interventions on the municipality’s sculptural heritage will continue to be supported in the budget for the forthcoming financial year, with the aim that future actions will not only focus on maintenance but also enhance the information linked to the works and promote this heritage, as noted by the department.
In this context, Adolfo Cordobés mentioned last July, upon the release of the study, that they are contemplating “the creation and distribution of a publication encapsulating all sculptures on La Laguna Street, delving deeper into their research; establishing a network of physical and digital platforms to ensure that residents and visitors fully understand the significance of each work; as well as organising various guided tours that feature these sculptural assets.”
Father Anchieta
Additionally, the councillor reminded that the Cultural Heritage department commissioned a thorough technical study earlier this summer to assess the effects and draft the restoration project for the bronze monument of Father Anchieta, sculpted by Bruno Giorgi, recognising the urgency due to the evident deterioration of the sculpture. He expressed hope that the project will be completed in the following weeks.
