Mà com a eina, 1998-1999
(The hand as a tool)

By: Martí Royo

Looking into the historical roots of the crops, exploring into the farmers’ criterion and opinion, I decided, among many other possibilities, to select the essential tools in the hazelnut harvest.

For many centuries, and especially in the most ungrateful soils, men and women have used their hands, so much to plant as to collect, to sieve, to shell… Hands which were much later replaced by wonderful machines in many tasks.

I propose a gigantic hand whose movement, as though caressing and collecting, invites us to sit and reflect about time and history. The arm suggests a time staircase where the children will find a space to play, and climbing it will give life to the work of art.

On a paving of irregular tiles with a texture of hazelnuts, leaves and cultivated land, lies a hand of ceramics shaped by irregular pieces as if it was an edge. Between the fingers, seven hazelnuts made of bronze as a symbol of their importance and their value.

Made by Madola

Piece of cast iron of 300 x 100 x 100 cm. Five iron balls 30 cm. Tiles of 30 x 30 cm enameled big fire.