EL MENJÚ

November 2021, Cieza, Spain 38°13'02.7"N 1°24'33.5"W

In a once-exotic garden, created by a wealthy family over a century ago, an odd little building stands crumbling and forgotten. Abandoned and partially burned, the land has been reclaimed by nature, with Pillars of burned trees, bright green palms shooting from the ground hiding the black remains beneath their leaves. As the sun touches the mountaintop in the distance and the Segura river whispers behind, the area exudes a surreal quality.

The building was covered with material fallen from the walls and the roof making it unable to enter. I started cleaning out the space slowly unraveling its potential. Underneath the ruble I found a thick layer of clay. While cleaning I observed the sun's movement through the space, acting as a natural clock as it traced the contours of the window.

When entering the building you encounter anthropomorphic figures made from clay and branches in a resting position. Crushing underneath your feet are white snail shells leading you inside contrasted by the black charcoal dust covering the rest of the floor and sculptures. Remnants of burnt trees penetrate the space, while a clay staircase leads to a window offering a view of the sun's journey along the mountain ridge. Looking the other way you see a swarm of mayflies painted on the wall with ink made out of charcoal following the light coming from the window. They spawn on the lower left side of the wall around 14:00 and when the light hits the wall at 17:00 and the sun sets behind the mountain their lifecycle is completed.