We suggest a tour of some amazing buildings and monuments at a time when cement was the building material par excellence. In the 60s and 70s, many avant-garde architectural projects opted for a resounding and forceful aesthetic, often with reminiscences of Soviet sobriety, which old Europe channelled into public buildings and monuments of great importance. The material was versatile, ductile, resistant and affordable. On the other hand, its final finish does not require painting for its conservation, and that lowers the costs of maintenance and production. Sometime later it was learned that cement of poor quality is irreversibly affected by "aluminosis", and this resulted in serious crumbles and cracks in many neighbourhoods in the outskirts of large cities.

“Tito’s fist”, by Boško Kućanski.

In fact, one of the cases we bring here is the monument to the partisans of the former Yugoslavia who, under the orders of Josip Tito, defended with their lives the bridge of the Neretva River in the battle of the same name, when the German and Italian troops threatened with the occupation in February and March of 1943. The tribute was a colossal fist, futuristic in style, made by the artist Boško Kućanski, winner of an open public call for projects for the memorial. The work was erected in Makljen and was officially inaugurated on November 12th, 1978, in an act attended by Josip Tito himself. The monument was popularly called "Tito’s fist". Today this work has collapsed due to lack of conservation.

L: Honoring the revolution of the people of the region of Moslavina against German occupation (Podgaric, Croatia) - R: Memorial to the fallen in the II World War (Niksic, Montenegro)

Among the most amazing constructions, memorials occupy a prominent place, because by not having a functional use, they leave more room for imagination and design. The sculptures that homage to the fallen in armed conflicts in Eastern Europe are the most enigmatic. They condense the aesthetic heritage of the Soviet period and the Cold War with a futuristic, cold and robust style that has already become the paradigm of an entire era and we must understand in their own context. These monumental works are known in Serbian as "spomeniks", a term widely accepted to refer to them, and means precisely that, sculptures of large dimensions created to commemorate an event.

L: Dedicated to victims of the Jasenovac concentration camp (Jasenovac, Croatia) - R: The fists-shaped Babanj monument, honoring fallen Yugoslavian fighters in World War II (near Niš, Serbia)

Most of these works are abstract and avoid including specific references to an individual or social group. Likewise, they do not incorporate recognisable elements or reproduce human figures. We must not forget that the societies affected by an armed conflict retain a repository of memory that extends over time and that goes beyond the specific events that took place, and in cases where there are also internal divisions for religious and ethnic reasons, besides the political ones, abstraction seems a good option. Its appearance, however, leads many to be ironical about the extraterrestrial influence of these designs.

Cultural Heritage Institute of Spain

In our country cement also boomed at the time. A good example is the headquarters of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain, located in the university area of Madrid. This building is a project of the architects Fernando Higueras and Rafael Moneo, who obtained in 1961 the National Architecture Prize. Initially conceived to house the "Artistic Restoration Center", the final execution of the design in 1965, which counted on the collaboration of Antonio Miró, reduced its dimensions a little and maintained its circular structure. The building was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2001 in the monument category.

Liquitex at Art Madrid’26: Creativity, Innovation and a Commitment to the Future of Art

Since 1955, Liquitex has built a distinguished legacy rooted in continuous innovation, technical excellence, and unwavering support for the artistic community. Its history is closely intertwined with the evolution of contemporary art, accompanying generations of creators with materials that expand expressive possibilities and encourage fearless experimentation.

At the 21st edition of Art Madrid, Liquitex renews its commitment to contemporary creation, reaffirming its position as a leading brand in professional acrylics and a strategic partner to both emerging and established artists.

Liquitex has transformed the world of acrylics since inventing the first water-based acrylic paint. Today, its portfolio continues to set industry standards through advanced formulations, exceptional color vibrancy, and remarkable versatility across artistic disciplines. Each product is designed to provide total control over color, texture, and finish, empowering artists to explore new techniques and develop work with a distinct voice. For Liquitex, innovation is not an end in itself, but a catalyst for creative freedom.

Under the tagline Just Imagine, Liquitex invites artists to challenge boundaries and embrace art as a space of limitless possibility. This philosophy not only defines its creative approach but also translates into a tangible commitment to artistic growth, offering materials conceived to support experimental processes and contemporary narratives.

Every brushstroke, every blend, and every surface transformed with Liquitex becomes an opportunity to imagine without constraint and create bold visual narratives.

Liquitex and the Support of Emerging Talent: Espacio Nebrija

At Art Madrid’26, Liquitex strengthens its dedication to nurturing and professionalizing emerging talent through its sponsorship of Espacio Nebrija, a curatorial initiative developed by Universidad Nebrija. For the second consecutive time, the project offers Fine Arts students the opportunity to make their professional debut within the contemporary art circuit.

Curated by Luis Gárciga, the project proposes a critical reflection on artistic pedagogy, the art market, and technology through the concept NotanIA SipedagogIE—an aesthetic, empathetic, and anti-algorithmic pedagogy that champions Aesthetic Intelligence in response to creative automation.

The stand is conceived as a space of transition, resistance, and experimentation, bringing visibility to the processes, aspirations, and perspectives of a new generation of artists in formation. Thanks to Liquitex’s support, participants have access to professional-grade materials that enable them to develop their projects with complete technical and conceptual freedom, fostering an environment grounded in research, experimentation, and critical inquiry.

Liquitex’s presence at Art Madrid’26 underscores its commitment to a responsible brand model actively engaged with the future of art. Recently awarded B Corp Certification, Liquitex joins a global community of companies dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.

This recognition affirms a long-term vision centered on artistic excellence, environmental stewardship, and support for creative communities—values reflected both in the development of new products and in the brand’s active involvement in cultural initiatives.

At Art Madrid’26, Liquitex continues to champion contemporary creativity, accompanying artists in their exploration of new visual languages and reaffirming that art, when equipped with the right tools, knows no boundaries. Because imagining is always the first step toward transforming reality.

ABOUT LIQUITEX

The world-leading professional acrylic brand Liquitex joins Art Madrid’26 as a sponsor, reinforcing its mission to empower artists and support contemporary creation through Espacio Nebrija.

At the 21st edition of the fair, the brand reaffirms its purpose of helping individuals connect with their creative energy, encouraging them to imagine and tell stories through art. Liquitex, the American brand recently awarded B Corp Certification, celebrates an achievement that not only welcomes it into a global community of purpose-driven companies but also reinforces its long-standing commitments.

These commitments encompass artistic excellence, sustainability, social responsibility through engagement with artists, employees, and local communities, and transparency within its business model. Liquitex remains dedicated to continuous innovation and product development, striving to serve as a force for positive change in society and for the environment—leaving a more meaningful and responsible legacy for the future.