EarthOne’s New Environmental Focus
AsiaOne has rolled out EarthOne, a fresh section all about protecting our planet. We’re all in the drive for science and sustainability, and this platform is the new spot to spot exciting stories.
Bleak Beauty: A Drowning Face in Bilbao’s River
In the gritty waters of Bilbao’s River Nervion, an eerily realistic face has been floating along, catching the gaze of locals since it first appeared last week.
Chilean hyper‑realist Ruben Orozco brings this unsettling scene to life in his piece titled Bihar (“Tomorrow” in Basque). It’s part of a campaign by the BBK Foundation, the charitable wing of Spanish lender Kutxabank, aimed at sparking a conversation on sustainability.
Why the Face Matters
Orozco told the Spanish news portal Nius that the goal is simple: “Make people realize that their actions can either sink us or keep us afloat.”
The 120kg fiberglass sculpture is pushed down and pulled back up as the tides ebb and flow, a daily reminder that if we keep betting on unsustainable models – those that push climate change forward – we’re doomed to see the world submerge.
Installation and Impact
- Picked up by boat and lowered into the river late Thursday night (Sept. 23).
- Placed near the city center, awakening residents to a chilling visual.
- Encourages reflection on daily habits that affect our environment.
With a splash of art and a dash of urgency, this installation reminds Bilbao – and the world – that we’re all in the same boat.
Bihar: A Melancholy Submerged Masterpiece That Drips Emotion Into Bilbao
On September 27, 2021, the Nervion River got a face‑hug from a fibreglass wonder called Bihar (Spanish for “Tomorrow” in Basque). This hyper‑realist mural from Mexican artist Ruben Orozco sinks—literally—and makes the river feel as if it’s holding its breath.
First Impressions: Stress, Then Sorrow
When the statue first appeared, it seemed like a “too‑heavy” guest who got a bit too close to the water. Triana Gil admitted the initial sight gave her a stress buzz before turning to sorrow:
- “At first it gave me a feeling of stress, when more of the face was out of the water.”
- “Now to me she communicates sadness, a lot of sadness.”
Triana’s words hint that the sculpture might be a literal mask of grief, slowly let down by the river’s current.
But What’s This? A Hidden Cry or a Tragic Memorial?
Another curious passerby, a woman named Maria, fell in love with Bihar but didn’t see the whole picture. “I thought the piece was a memorial to a tragic past… but I finally learned that this sculpture has no set message. You the audience can give it any meaning you want.”
In both cases, audiences find their own narrative in Bihar’s submerged silhouette.
Orozco’s Milestone Moments in Bilbao
Orozco’s Bihar isn’t a solo experiment. Two years before, he introduced the city to the life‑size Invisible Soledad, a lone woman perched on a bench. The piece sparked conversation about the loneliness of older adults and grew heavy in public debate.
Takeaway: Art Becomes Personal When It Taps Into the Heart
Whether you’re a stressed tourist or a tear‑jerking admirer, Bihar reminds us that art is a mirror. It simply reflects whatever you see, and in the unwavering current of Bilbao—and its citizens’ own stories—the sculpture will keep swimming, soaking, and inspiring onlookers for years to come.
