Not even May 68, nor the french revolution, nor Marxism, They changed our lives like the industrial revolution changed us.. The change currently necessary should be of the same magnitude.
This exhibition is based on this premise expressed in the book by Jacques Rancière, “the emancipated spectator”. The works exhibited here want to represent the rhythms inherited from the industrial revolution. In our days we live with rhythms that come to us from that time, homogeneous and repetitive. Although those changes could have brought us well-being, great technological changes and health advances, among other things. It also gave us a way of life radically marked by factory times., that over the decades has accelerated, leading us to a practically binary situation of work and rest., leaving little room for other things like culture and thought, just to cite these examples that do not concern the most in this exhibition.
In this case, UNESCO has given me the opportunity to do this exhibition in a city as relevant to the industrial revolution as Alcoy.. Industrial heritage is experienced on every corner but perhaps many of the old abandoned factories have become “non-places”, That is, spaces that exist but are no longer seen or do not want to be seen.. That is why this exhibition will not only be located in the UNESCO hall but will also go out and be located at the entrance of several factories so that the work carried out and what inspires it is at the same level of abandonment and decay., and also generate a metaphor about the need to overcome this industrial model in which we live and that we consider intangible.. I also don't want to stay with this message, which at first glance may seem pessimistic., But I want to emphasize that culture is often the generating element that gives life to these factories again., I take for example many places in Alcoy or the examples shown in the Book “Espais recobrats”, by Ferran Pont and Teresa Llordes.
In short, I invite you to see the exhibition in its entirety., with the hope that it can generate reflection and make its contribution to the problems surrounding the recovery of industrial heritage.
Jose Antonio Picazo
