It is a collection of 50 pieces, including sculptures and tapestries. In addition, the action includes the restoration of two sculptures created by the artist Luis Alemán Mon-tull
The Department of Culture and Historical Heritage of the City Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, directed by councilor Elena Espino, has commissioned the restoration of a collection of African art, owned by the municipality, composed of forty sculptures, all made of wood; and ten tapestries, pieces made of burlap fabrics, dyed and attached to a Novopán board.
These sculptures, due to the passage of time, their improper handling in the past and the different transfers they have suffered until reaching their final location, present signs of deterioration, in some cases very important, but in all, recoverable through the relevant restorations.
This decision has been made based on the provisions of Law 11/2019, of April 25, on the Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands, Article 5, Rights and Duties, section 2: “ Any natural or legal person, public or private, is obliged to protect the cultural heritage of the Canary Islands, to act with due diligence in its use, and to fulfill the duties established in this law.” It is therefore the obligation of the City Council to safeguard the works of art that belong to its heritage, as well as to preserve them in the best possible condition. For this reason, it is essential that they undergo restoration that will allow for:
• Return them to their original state, as far as possible, intervening in those parts that are damaged or that have even become detached from the piece.
• Apply a treatment to clean them, which eliminates those agents that have a negative impact on them.
• Give them the appropriate treatments that allow their optimal conservation.
In addition to these pieces, in the Fataga square and in the Santiago square in Tunte, there are two sculptures created by the artist Luis Alemán Montull, both owned by the municipality and part of the artistic heritage of the municipality, specifically they are: Homage to the Craftswoman (1993) in Fataga and Homage to the Woman of Tirajana (1997) in Tunte.
Both are made of stone. These sculptures are outdoors, so climate changes directly affect them. Furthermore, it must be added that Fataga's is placed just below an Indian laurel, which at certain times of the year usually releases tiny fruits and sap, elements that fall directly on the sculpture and stain it, causing it to deteriorate. To this we must add the pigeons that perch and defecate on them, whose acid penetrates the stone, accelerating its deterioration.
This work must be carried out by professional restorers, who demonstrate work experience appropriate to the needs of the service, especially with regard to the restoration of tapestries since they are very delicate pieces that must be treated with special attention. Therefore the restoration will be carried out by the TIBICENA company. Archeology and Heritage SL, and will cost 17.729 euros.
Historical heritage of the municipality
The City Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana is the owner of an important collection of works of art, both pictorial, sculptural and photographic that are part of its artistic heritage. For this reason, in 2017, a system of combs and shelves was installed in one of the warehouses located in the basement of the Municipal Offices, located in San Fernando de Maspalomas, to be able to accommodate in an orderly manner and make a correct installation, from that municipal property artistic fund.