A new addition to its urban landscape is scheduled to be officially unveiled to the public on October 19, 2023. It is an emblematic sculpture that will be located in Urquinaona square called “El Saltador”, a creation of the international artist Jordi Díez.
The sculpture, which presents a jumper at the precise moment of diving into the water, seeks to become a new symbol of the city.
The piece, designed by Díez, is made of three meters of stainless steel. The design is intended to create the illusion that the jumper is descending from the top of the Torre Urquinaona, the building facing the square.
The sculpture is a symbolic representation, with the jumper diving into a steel surface symbolizing the map of Barcelona. The author, in describing his work, points out that this is intended to invite viewers to “enter into a deeper and more valuable dimension of the city, from commitment and determination”.
The Jumper in Barcelona’s Urquinaona Square
The choice of the location in Urquinaona square is strategic, as this space often goes unnoticed despite being trafficked by a large number of people every day. “El Saltador” will be built on the mountain side of the square, at the intersection with Roger de Llúria.
The more than three-meter-high work is intended to dignify this often overlooked public space. The expectation is that installation of the sculpture will begin shortly, with an official unveiling to the public scheduled for October 19, 2023.
Jordi Díez, the artist behind this work, specializes in expressing the human figure through stainless steel. He is internationally known for his works, including the sculpture of Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, presented in 2021.
The creation of “El Saltador” required almost a year of work and was entirely carried out by the artist. In the construction of the pedestal, Díez had the collaboration of the Fundición Artística Vilà and the financial support of “The 19th Hole”, a company based in Torre Urquinaona.
An artistic expression
The sculpture has been promoted and encouraged in the area, with the aim of beautifying and revitalizing the public space leading to the building.
This new addition to the city promises to be a point of reference and an artistic expression that invites the inhabitants of Barcelona and its visitors to reflect on their relationship with the city and their commitment to the environment.
The figure of the jumper caught in the audacious act of jumping symbolizes the intrepid and courageous spirit that characterizes both Barcelona and its people.
