My first visit to Lanzarote, also my first visit to Canary Islands, in Dec 2014. Lanzarote has a volcanic landscape, with many (non active) volcanoes, lava fields and bare rocks with little vegetation as rain is rare on the island.
Lanzarote's most famous inhabitant was the artist César Manrique. There are many tributes to him around the island, especially his wind sculptures at roundabouts and road junctions.
César Manrique was born in 1919 in Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote. He graduated in Madrid and later had many international exhibitions. He moved to New York before returning to Lanzarote in 1966. His work had an influencing effect on the declaration of Lanzarote as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1993.
The César Manrique Foundation does important work in the field of plastic arts, the environment and culture. Its most important objectives include the conservation, research and promotion of the work of Manrique, as well as the promotion of environmentally-friendly artistic activity.
The foundation is located in the artist’s house-studio near Tahiche and is open to the public. Entry is
€8. Although I am not particularly interested in art, I wanted to visit as the house is built on an outcrop of lava, on top of five large, natural volcanic bubbles.
The upper floor is inspired by the traditional architecture of Lanzarote, and incorporates modern, functional elements such as French windows.
Going down into the cave area -
There is a living area with a central tree that goes up to the open roof
 |
| looking up to the upper floor |
The five natural bubbles were connected by small passageways bored into the lava flow. These passages are painted in white
In the central volcanic bubble there is a large relaxation area with a swimming pool, dining room, oven, barbeque... It also has abundant vegetation.
The last area, on the way out, is the painter's old studio. The toilet signs -
View from outside the house -
© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission
