Sculpture: ‘ Carmela’ by Jaume Plensa

A Barcelona Sculpture Spotlight

In 2016, a striking sculpture graced the plaza outside the Palau de la Música Catalana, captivating the city and its inhabitants. This sculpture, named Carmela, created by renowned Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, was initially intended to be a temporary installation. Yet, the public’s profound connection to the work inspired a movement to keep Carmela in place, a testament to its magnetic appeal.

Carmela is no ordinary sculpture. Inspired by a photo of a local teenager, Plensa transformed this simple image into a work of art that is both flattened and expansive, enigmatic and inviting. Using advanced technology, the artist scanned the photo and then compressed the figure along one axis, casting it in iron to create a mesmerizing form that changes depending on the angle of the viewer. At just the right distance, Carmela appears as a large, three-dimensional bust—a stunning optical illusion that continues to fascinate passersby.

During the exhibition’s inauguration, Plensa described Carmela as “a Mediterranean beauty, a timeless beauty, from both past and future, who perhaps has not yet discovered that she is interested in art.” It’s this blend of universality and youthful curiosity that makes the sculpture feel so accessible to everyone who encounters it.

Although Carmela was initially set to remain at the Palau de la Música only until September 2016, the reaction from the public was so overwhelming that the residents of Barcelona rallied to keep her in place. A petition on Change.org called on the organizers and Barcelona’s city council to retain the sculpture, and it worked—Plensa agreed to leave Carmela in the city for an initial period of eight years. With an estimated value of €700,000, this was no small gesture.

Carmela now stands as a symbol of Barcelona’s deep appreciation for public art and the integral role it plays in the city’s cultural identity.

Born in Barcelona in 1955, Jaume Plensa has made his mark on the global art scene. A sculptor with a profound ability to create compelling public art, Plensa is perhaps best known for works like the Crown Fountain in Chicago and Behind the Walls in New York City. His approach often involves using human faces as a canvas for exploration, reflecting universal emotions and experiences.

Plensa’s works extend beyond sculpture—he also experiments with drawing, audio, and video. Although he was invited by former Barcelona Mayor Xavier Trias to create a 52-meter-high sculpture for the city’s waterfront in 2014, this ambitious project was paused when Trias lost the election the following year. Yet, the presence of Carmela at Plaça Luis Millet keeps Plensa’s artistic vision alive in Barcelona.

If you’re visiting Barcelona, catching a glimpse of Carmela is a must. Located at Plaça Luis Millet, right next to the Palau de la Música Catalana, this iron beauty is a short walk from several metro stations. You can hop off at Urquinaona (L1 & L4), Catalunya (L1 & L3), or Jaume I (L4), and take in this incredible piece of art as part of your stroll through the city’s historic streets.

Though she was initially destined for Grand Rapids, Michigan, Carmela found her true home in Barcelona, and the city is all the richer for it. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious, Carmela offers a contemplative moment—a chance to engage with both the past and the future, as Plensa envisioned.