Literature and contemporary art at the IVAM
On 21 October 2026, the Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM) will host a session of the Escrituras cactus cycle, a project bringing together eight writers to reflect on the work of sculptor Julio González (1876–1942), a key figure in 20th-century art and one of the museum’s founding pillars. On this occasion, writer and painter Manuel Baixauli will share his creative process in a free talk, discussing how his literary work engages with contemporary art and, specifically, González’s poetics.
Baixauli, author of works such as Ignot (Premi Llibreter) and the anthology Ningún no ens espera (2016), is part of a lineup that includes María Negroni, Andrés Neuman, Alicia Kopf, and Agustín Fernández Mallo, among others. Each writer will offer a unique perspective—through short stories, essays, or poems—to reinterpret González’s work from a literary angle. Their contributions will be compiled in a collective book to be published at the end of the cycle, providing a fresh and multidisciplinary take on the Valencian sculptor.
A cycle to celebrate Julio González’s 150th anniversary
Escrituras cactus is part of the IVAM’s programme to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Julio González’s birth. Curated by writer and critic Jorge Carrión and moderated by architect and writer Berta Ferrer, the cycle takes an innovative approach: inviting contemporary authors to create unpublished works inspired by the artist’s career. The sessions, which began in January 2026 and will run until November, combine monthly talks with the publication of a final volume set to become a reference for understanding González’s influence on today’s culture.
Manuel Baixauli: between painting and words
Manuel Baixauli (Valencia, 1963) is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Valencian literature. His work, spanning novels, short stories, and poetry, is characterised by precise prose and a constant exploration of the boundaries between word and image. As a painter, his visual work has also gained recognition, allowing him to approach art from a dual perspective: that of the creator and the observer. In this talk, Baixauli will share insights into how Julio González’s work has influenced his own writing and his understanding of artistic creation.
