Marga López: “In Barcelona we are still very lucky to have courageous commitments”
Of all the proposals made for the NN Shutters project, without a doubt the most original was that of Marga López, who instead of creating a drawing chose to make a mural with a clear and concise message on a green background: “Good morning, Cristian” Call your mother. This work already gives us clues that we are not dealing with a conventional person, although nothing is better than a chat with her to realize that she has a special view of the world that she knows how to transform into a very personal and easily recognizable style.
Dinos Marga, how did you feel your calling towards art?
I always knew that I would dedicate myself to something related to design or drawing. My father is an interior designer and very fond of drawing and sculpture. There was always some drawing or blueprint (the old-fashioned kind, with markers on tracing paper) on his table, along with a lot of drawing materials. Ever since I was little, I was fascinated by his work and all that material that was somewhat forbidden to me.
How would you define your style?
It's an organic and delicate style, I work a lot with lettering and typography, usually in one ink. I would place it at a point between art and design, but closer to the latter.
In your portfolio, there are major clients such as Audi, Lidl, or Ray-Ban. Does your self-demand change when dealing with a client of that magnitude?
The self-demand is always the same, but what I do feel is that generally working with these types of clients is easier because there are art directors behind the commission who have a very clear idea of what they want, and that is not usually the case with smaller clients. And with the smaller ones, on the other hand, you can afford to try new things and be more creative.
Joan Tarragó told us about a joint project that you carried out in the past. Can you explain what it was about?
Yes! We worked as an art collective, it was called “VWorkshop”. We had a place in El Born, quite “punk”, at street level and open to the public, where we worked and exhibited/sold everything that came to mind. It was a very fun first experience because we met a lot of people every day and received immediate feedback on everything we produced. We were there for about three years but we realized that we were getting too distracted with people coming in and out and it wasn't working as a studio.
Your first experience with Núñez i Navarro was at the REC. What was the selection process like by Xavier Franquesa and the subsequent creation process?
In 2014, when Hotel REC was still just a project, Xavi called me to ask for some illustrations to test on cushions for a pilot room. Two years later, when the project finally launched, we moved from cushions to tote bags, the map of the hall, and illustrations for the rooms. An amazing project!
And, as always, Xavi gave me a lot of freedom and the truth is that everything came together quite quickly. The cushions and tote bags are reinterpretations of the REC logo made with organic patterns inspired by the water of the REC Comtal and the fertility it brought to Barcelona. The illustrations in the rooms were designed to tell guests something about the history of Rec Comtal or about the archaeological remains that were found on the land where it is built. And the illustrated map is very personal, I drew all my recommendations for visiting the neighborhood, for dining or shopping.
Does a design made on a small scale change a lot when seen at full size (map of BCN, parking mural...)?
Yes, it's exciting to see the large pieces on materials and to be able to touch them, it's always a great moment.
The success of the REC was such that as soon as a new opportunity arose to carry out a project for Núñez i Navarro, Xavier has counted on you again...
And it's such a pleasure, not only because they count on me again but also because Xavi gives us a lot of freedom and trusts us so much, and that is so appreciated!
How would you define the work you have done on the shutter?
Well, it's a new line for me, but I would love to continue developing it, honestly.
It's a more conceptual job, designed for a specific person and with a touch of humor. A blind that works like a big post-it reminding you of a daily task you have to do.
How did you come up with the approach you took? Was it hard for you to arrive at that solution?
Well, look, the shutter is up from 6 am to 11 pm Monday through Friday. And it's not at street level, but down a curved ramp and behind a lot of vegetation. Then I realized that whatever I was going to paint, only the people in charge of raising and lowering the shutter would see it. And I liked the idea!
I immediately remembered that when I went to university, I would take the subway from a station where, at the entrance, above the stairs, there was a somewhat faded and poorly made graffiti that read 'GOOD MORNING, MARIA'. I would read it every morning and thought it was super cool for Maria to have that for herself there every day, thinking about how good it must have made her feel.
I called to ask about the people responsible for opening and closing the parking lot, and I spoke with the one who closes at night. I explained the idea to him. It was a bit strange at that moment, to be honest (smiles). When he understood what I was explaining, he told me that he is in charge of closing at night, but he does it from his car with a remote control. The one who would actually face the painting every day is someone named Christian. And him alone. Wonderful! I could do something for just one person.
The next day I went to meet Christian and asked him some questions to see what I could find out. Luckily, he turned out to be a really nice guy who has been with the company for many years, who was dead tired because he had just become a father, and who has his family outside of Barcelona but has a very good relationship with them. And that's it, I left there with a clear idea.
How did Cristian react? Has he called his mother yet?
Well, I haven't gone back to talk to him... but I hope so!
Nos decía Berok que ahora está de moda hacer murales en persianas. ¿Has notado tú también ese boom?
I suppose so, it's a good idea to bring art to the streets and at the same time make people respect the shutters a bit more and not just end up with any random graffiti on them.
How do you see the artistic scene in Barcelona?
Well, hopefully more initiatives like this one! And well... it's often said that in recent years many galleries have been closing, but we are still very lucky to have brave ventures like that of our dear Miscelanea, who were also involved in the Hotel Rec, or Il·lacions by Xavi Franquesa. That's why we need to support them and make more people aware of them, because we need them!
