El Corte Inglés joins Madrid art fair with art installations
What: El Corte Inglés transforms its Madrid stores with artist Luis Gordillo's work for Arco 2025, featuring large-scale installations across multiple locations.
Why it is important: This artistic collaboration demonstrates how department stores can successfully blend cultural programming with retail spaces, creating distinctive experiences that attract both art enthusiasts and shoppers while elevating their luxury positioning.
El Corte Inglés has launched an ambitious artistic collaboration with renowned Spanish artist Luis Gordillo, coinciding with the 44th edition of Arco Madrid. The project, titled 'Autobiografía Gordillensis,' encompasses three distinct installations across the retailer's Madrid locations. At the Arco fair itself, the company's stand showcases original works including 'Transmigración de Almas' and 'Nubes de tierra.' The Preciados centre's windows have been transformed into portals to Gordillo's artistic world, featuring various series including 'Paolo Ucello Four' and 'La fábrica de ostas.' The most striking intervention appears at the Serrano location, where Gordillo has oversized his 'Transmigración de Almas' work across the building's exterior façade. This collaboration builds upon El Corte Inglés's two-decade history of artistic partnerships, which began with César Manrique's window installations in 1963. The exhibition will remain accessible until March 16th, allowing visitors to experience Gordillo's distinctive artistic vision across multiple retail environments.
IADS Notes: El Corte Inglés's collaboration with Luis Gordillo represents a sophisticated evolution in retail-art partnerships, building on the company's recent cultural initiatives. As seen in July 2024 with their 'New Motel' experience at Mad Cool Festival, the retailer has been actively exploring innovative ways to integrate cultural elements into their retail spaces. This approach mirrors successful strategies employed by other luxury retailers, as demonstrated by Le Bon Marché's art exhibitions. El Corte Inglés's decision to extend the artistic intervention across multiple locations, particularly featuring Gordillo's work prominently at their luxury-focused Serrano store, demonstrates their understanding of how cultural programming can enhance premium retail positioning while creating meaningful customer experiences.
