Post by Sharon Faulkner on Jul 26, 2006 18:34:28 GMT -5
Canary Islands Cave Art Museum Reopens
By HAROLD HECKLE
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- A museum with cave paintings that may date from the sixth century reopened Wednesday in the Canary Islands after a 24-year closure, providing a rare glimpse at the art of the Spanish archipelago's early inhabitants.
The works at the so-called Cueva Pintada — red and white geometric patterns such as triangles and labyrinthlike spirals — are one of the few examples of painted caves in Europe that have survived to modern times.
The cave on the island of Grand Canary is part of a larger village complex, of which it was believed to be a ritual site. "Cueva Pintada is the most important example of representative art from the aboriginal culture of Gran Canaria," said Jose Manuel Soria, leader of the island's local government.
Scientific analysis has dated parts of the art to the sixth century. The paintings were discovered by a farmer in 1873. "There are many theories about what the paintings might have meant. Some research has suggested that they could represent a calendar," said Fernando Perez, the museum's curator. "Whatever their meaning, this new museum offers a great platform from which to contemplate aboriginal art which is unique to the Canary Islands."
In 1972, the caves were declared a national treasure. Soon after, modern agricultural irrigation methods began to cause serious damage to the surface of the images through seepage. The underground complex was closed to protect it from tourists in 1982.
Since then, careful research and restoration work was carried out.
Up to 150,000 visitors a year will now be able to admire the art from inside a see-through bubble that will isolate them from the paintings, preventing further damage.
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/07/26/entertainment/e130035D31.DTL
By HAROLD HECKLE
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- A museum with cave paintings that may date from the sixth century reopened Wednesday in the Canary Islands after a 24-year closure, providing a rare glimpse at the art of the Spanish archipelago's early inhabitants.
The works at the so-called Cueva Pintada — red and white geometric patterns such as triangles and labyrinthlike spirals — are one of the few examples of painted caves in Europe that have survived to modern times.
The cave on the island of Grand Canary is part of a larger village complex, of which it was believed to be a ritual site. "Cueva Pintada is the most important example of representative art from the aboriginal culture of Gran Canaria," said Jose Manuel Soria, leader of the island's local government.
Scientific analysis has dated parts of the art to the sixth century. The paintings were discovered by a farmer in 1873. "There are many theories about what the paintings might have meant. Some research has suggested that they could represent a calendar," said Fernando Perez, the museum's curator. "Whatever their meaning, this new museum offers a great platform from which to contemplate aboriginal art which is unique to the Canary Islands."
In 1972, the caves were declared a national treasure. Soon after, modern agricultural irrigation methods began to cause serious damage to the surface of the images through seepage. The underground complex was closed to protect it from tourists in 1982.
Since then, careful research and restoration work was carried out.
Up to 150,000 visitors a year will now be able to admire the art from inside a see-through bubble that will isolate them from the paintings, preventing further damage.
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/07/26/entertainment/e130035D31.DTL