Dona i Ocell by Joan Miró
Excerpt from the Catalan Wikipedia
Dona i Ocell is a freestanding sculpture by Joan Miró that rises 22 metres above the artificial lake in Joan Miró Park, Barcelona. Built between 1981 and 1982, although officially inaugurated the following year, the sculpture is made of artificial stone and partially covered with red, yellow, green and blue ceramic mosaics in the trencadís style, created by the ceramist Joan Gardy Artigas. It was Joan Miró’s last public work.
Due to its large dimensions, the sculpture had to be built on site in what was then known as Parc de l’Escorxador, following Miró’s instructions and the scale model he provided. With the help of cranes and specialist personnel, the concrete structure, chosen for its durability, was cast in place. The operation involved engineers, architects, 20 carpenters and 6 operators. Once the concrete had cured, Joan Gardy Artigas completed the ceramic trencadís cladding.
The scaffolding used during construction was dismantled during the last week of August 1982, and the project was completed that same September, with a final cost of approximately 15–17 million pesetas (€102,172.10). The original urban development plan for the park envisaged the addition of around fifteen more sculptures by Miró during a later expansion phase, but this never took place due to the artist’s declining health and subsequent passing. Joan Miró did not charge any fee for this work, instead presenting it as a gift to the city of Barcelona.
In the photograph, Mr. Serrat, wearing a red shirt, can be seen giving instructions to the crane operator before the lift began.
These photographs show the involvement of Grúas Serrat during the installation of the hat.
Because of the symbolic importance of this final stage of the project, the then Mayor of Barcelona, Narcís Serra, attended the lifting operation.
The lift was carried out using a 140-tonne LUNA crane, manufactured in Spain.
In the photograph, Mr. Serrat, wearing a red shirt, can be seen standing next to Mayor Narcís Serra on the scaffolding after the hat had been installed.
