Image creditExhibition view © Centro Centro

At a glance

Around 1 hour

Avelino Sala transforms global political conflicts into poetic gestures, using neon signs, altered books, and sculpture to challenge systems of control and environmental neglect.

Why go

The exhibition offers a sharp visual critique of how global capitalism co-opts social movements. Sala blends raw political urgency with a refined aesthetic, making complex issues like climate change and migration deeply tangible.

You'll see

Sculptural books · Neon slogans · Painted globes · Contemporary socio-political installations · Works on paper

Pace of visit

The conceptual nature of the installations and the heavy presence of text-based works invite a reflective pace.

Don't miss

The Washings series, where globes submerged in color represent the superficial corporate handling of the climate crisis and social justice.

Artlovers Tip

Look closely at the materials used in the sculptures; Sala often chooses textures that contrast the harshness of his political message with a delicate, almost fragile finish.

Artlovers relevance

Inside the exhibition

Meet the artist

Avelino Sala

Key Movements

Contemporary Art

Medium

InstallationSculptureSite-specific installation

Description

Avelino Sala: La tempestad at CentroCentro in Madrid, Spain, presents a significant overview of the Spanish artist's recent output. Known for his role as an editor and activist, Sala uses this exhibition to map out a visual geography of resistance, focusing on the friction between institutional power and individual fragility. The works serve as a critical archive of the conflicts defining the early 21st century.

The display features several key series that demonstrate Sala's diverse use of materials. In the Biblioteca de Babel, books are stripped of their traditional function to become physical monuments to marginalized histories and political slogans. Neon lights punctuate the space with direct questions about our current reality, while the Washings series uses painted globes to critique the symbolic washing of environmental and social issues by global capital.

By bringing these pieces together, the exhibition highlights Sala's distinct ability to find beauty within political dissent. Rather than offering simple answers, the installation creates a space for viewers to consider the mechanisms of borders, memory, and state control. Free admission makes this a highly accessible entry point into Spanish contemporary art focused on social engagement.

Worth travelling for?

A focused, provocative show for visitors who value art as a medium for social critique and environmental reflection.

Experience as an Artlover

Begin with the larger installations to grasp the political scale before spending time with the smaller objects in the library series. The exhibition is free to enter, but checking the schedule for guided tours with the curator or the artist can provide valuable context for the more abstract pieces.

Exhibition

Avelino Sala: La tempestad

Hours & rating from Google

Madrid, Spain

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