David and Goliath by Antoni Llena, 1992 - Vila Olímpica del Poblenou - Barcelona - Spain
An intriguing piece of art, Antoni Llena’s interpretation of the biblical story symbolises the reincarnation of the Somorrostro neighbourhood. The Somorrostro neighbourhood was a shanty town located in the area currently known as Vila Olimpica from 1882 to 1966, when it was town down prior to Franco’s visit to Barcelona that same year. The sculpture was commissioned as part of the redevelopment of Barcelona in preparation for the 1992 Olympic Games, which aimed to radically change the cityscape with little input from the locals.
Llena’s creation, with its large rectangular mask supported by 3 spindly steel legs, represents the “sheets drying on balconies” of the original neighbourhood. It returns some of the long lost personality to the new suburb, and in doing so, evokes the spirit of David and Goliath, that in which the little people prevail over the giants that be of urban development.
