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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lee Ortega, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 305.673.7530
Fax: 305.673.7062
E-mail: lortega@bassmuseum.org

MIAMI BEACH, FL - (January 4, 2006) - This exhibition is comprised of approximately forty pieces drawn from a collection of the artists' 400 works in the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) in Spain that illuminates the artistic career of Julio Gonzalez (1876-1942), one of one of the most influential and inspirational Modern sculptors. González was a pioneer in fusing Cubism and industrial ironworking by creating welded open linear structures in iron, bronze and silver that evoke a primordial, totemic and playful feel. Between 1928-1931 he gave lessons in metalworking to Pablo Picasso and served as source of inspiration for artists such as Anthony Caro, Melvin Edwards, Mark di Suvero, Richard Stankiewicz, and David Smith, who called González "the father of all iron sculpture."

Though González was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, he is one of the least known. This exhibition brings to light how González revolutionized the use of welded iron as a medium that initiated a new language in sculpture, and it is the first showing of his work in the region. Works from the important collections of IVAM will be featured that include bronze and iron sculpture reliefs, handcrafted jewelry and figurative drawings.

This exhibition was possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Valencia Institute of Modern Art (IVAM), the repository of the estate of Julio González.

Julio González: Sculpture and Drawings from the IVAM Collection opens to the public January 27 at the Bass Museum of Art and is on view through April 16, 2006.

About IVAM
The IVAM Collection, initiated by the Generalitat Valenciana in 1984, follows a principally historical criterion, oriented at expressing and emphasizing the characteristics of contemporary art and the specific contributions of its development within a cultural context. The collection is made up of over 7000 works that illustrate major fundamental manifestations of art in the 20th century. Based upon on the oeuvre of the sculptor Julio González, a synthesis between Cubism, Surrealism, and Constructivism, the Collection has focused on the origins of Modern art (represented in the IVAM by the work of Ignacio Pinazo and Sorolla), the debate on Abstraction that took place in the thirties, and the different trends of Informalism and Pop Art in Europe and America. Graphic design, photomontage and above all the photographs of the great masters of the 20th century occupy a significant place in the Collection, with over 2000 works.

Exhibition Catalogue
The show is accompanied by a full-color, 192-page catalogue in English and Spanish. It was published by IVAM, the Cervantes Institute, and the Spanish Embassy in New York and is available for purchase.

General Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors/students. Free, members & children under 6. Group discounts available.

Museum Hours and Docent Tours
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm, closed Mondays and holidays. Docent tours every Saturday (except holidays), 2 pm; free with museum admission.

Bass Museum Shop
An eclectic selection of art, architecture and photography books; folk art from around the world; one-of-a-kind decorative and gift items; jewelry by local and international artisans; postcards; and educational toys. Open during museum hours.

Bass Museum Café
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Parking
Metered parking lot on site. Additional metered parking is available on perimeter streets. Discounted parking available at the 20th Street Garage (one block west of Collins) with museum validation. Beyond two hours standard rates apply.

The Bass Museum of Art receives both public and private general operating funding. Major support comes from the City of Miami Beach, with the support of the Mayor and Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach and Friends of the Bass Museum, Inc. This project is also supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts; and the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program and Cultural Arts Council.