César Manrique: la conciencia del paisaje

Abstract

Existen magníficos estudios sobre la obra plástica y arquitectónica de César Manrique. Queremos centrarnos, en cambio, en destacar el compromiso de César Manrique con el paisaje de su isla, que antepone incluso a su oficio de pintor, y mostrar cómo durante los años sesenta y setenta formula un verdadero proyecto territorial para Lanzarote, proyecto que imagina inicialmente de forma tentativa e individual, y que se va precisando, explicitando y construyendo de forma colectiva con el paso de los años. Queremos, en definitiva, reivindicar la actualidad de su legado, de un magnífico ejemplo de cómo mirar hacia el futuro y aprender a respetar nuestro territorio y nuestra cultura, que es tanto, nos recuerda José Saramago, como respetarnos a nosotros mismos.

Magnificent studies have been written about the paintings and architecture by César Manrique. Instead we wish to focus on highlighting both César Manrique’s commitment to the landscape of his island, which even took precedence over his work as a painter, and how during the 1960’s and 70’s, he formulated a true territorial project for Lanzarote; one which he initially thought up tentatively and individually, but which was gradually refined, through defining and building it collectively over the course of the years. We would like to re-establish the current relevance of his legacy, as a magnificent example of how to look towards the future, and how to learn to respect our landscape and cultural heritage, which as José Saramago reminds us, is how we show respect to ourselves.