Cristina Garrido Examines Value Construction in 'Piedra de toque' at La Casa Encendida
The exhibition 'Piedra de toque' by Cristina Garrido is hosted at La Casa Encendida from October 9, 2026, to March 7, 2027, delving into the dynamics of value assignment and dispute. Over a period of eighteen months, Garrido curated items from Fundación Montemadrid's collections that embody significance and care. The installation, crafted by Estudio Gonzalo del Val, features independent structures and mimics the low ceilings of the historic Monte de Piedad. Notable pieces include Santos Yubero's 1951 photograph, life-sized representations of Joaquín Vizcaíno and Clotilde Arizcun, floral still lifes by Juan de Arellano, Javier Peñafiel's video 'Maltrato,' alongside modern works from Dalí, Miró, and others. The exhibition wraps up with Sánchez Portela's image of women pawning their possessions, illustrating the ever-changing concept of value.
Key facts
- Exhibition title: 'Piedra de toque' by Cristina Garrido at La Casa Encendida, Madrid.
- Dates: October 9, 2026, to March 7, 2027.
- Curated by Paulo Mendes; installation design by Estudio Gonzalo del Val.
- Draws from Fundación Montemadrid collections spanning 16th–20th centuries, contemporary art, decorative arts, and Generaciones awards.
- Features works by Juan de Arellano, Javier Peñafiel, José Ramón Amondarain, Sandra Gamarra, Pep Agut, Dalí, Miró, Julio López Hernández, Chema Cobo, Rafael Canogar, Santos Yubero, and Sánchez Portela.
- Includes six historic clocks requiring weekly winding by a watchmaker.
- Displays touchstones (jade tools) used since ancient Greece to test gold purity, alongside Garrido's grandmother's jewelry box.
- Final room shows unredeemed pawned goods; 200–300 people still pawn daily at Monte de Piedad de Madrid.
Entities
Artists
- Cristina Garrido
- Paulo Mendes
- Santos Yubero
- Joaquín Vizcaíno
- Clotilde Arizcun
- Juan de Arellano
- Javier Peñafiel
- José Ramón Amondarain
- Sandra Gamarra
- Pep Agut
- Salvador Dalí
- Joan Miró
- Julio López Hernández
- Chema Cobo
- Rafael Canogar
- Manolo Millares
- Sánchez Portela
- Gonzalo del Val
- Maru Serrano
Institutions
- La Casa Encendida
- Fundación Montemadrid
- Generaciones
- Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Madrid
- Museo Reina Sofía
- Real Fábrica
- Caja Madrid
- Estudio Gonzalo del Val
- Louvre
- Hirshhorn
- Monte de Piedad de Madrid
- El Monte
- Colección Fundación Montemadrid
- exibart.es
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Móstoles
- Granada
- Córdoba
- Alicante
- Palma
- Greece
Sources
- Exibart.es —
- Masdearte —