The recent recession has affected many countries worldwide. Particularly, one of the most affected countries was Spain, who had undergone some severe budget cuts in the arts as a result of the recession. The government no longer funds art institutions and museums in Spain- they must rely on private donors if they want to continue providing an artistic outlet to the general public. Private donors however, are increasingly hard to find, and therefore the artists had to find a new solution to their problems.
These artists however, have seemed to band together to ensure that art remains in the lives of the citizens of Spain. In Madrid, Art Finds New Friends At Matadero, Red Bull Adds Money (and Energy) to Culture by Doreen Carjaval is an article detailing exactly how these groups work together.
The Matadero is an old abandoned slaughterhouse full of graffiti and blood stains. Yes. You read that correctly, blood stains. And yet, for years artists banded together in this area to showcase their artistic talents. Now, this movement has begun on a greater scale, encompassing larger groups of artists. Red Bull is an energy drink company, and they have payed to have a share of the slaughterhouse. They provide the Matadero with a good sum of money in exchange for advertisement of their products in the slaughterhouse. Similarly music groups now occupy rooms, and their music attracts younger generations to the slaughterhouse, bringing in much needed income. Last year alone 500,000 people visited the slaughterhouse to check out what is fresh and new.
It is interesting to note that together, these groups are capable of raising enough money to ensure that art continues to be a part of their lives. And yet, sadly, the amount of money that they need grows each year as they lose more and more endorsements from outside parties.
This article really shows how people with a passion can unite for a common cause. These people are passionate about what they do in their everyday lives, and therefore they do everything in their power to keep it there, even if it involves cooperating with a stylistically completely different group of artists. I think it is a great example of how team work can help foster growth, and can help people achieve their goals. In the United States, several schools also experienced budget cuts to the art department, and several schools did something very similar to what is happening in Spain, though on a much lower scale. This article just goes to show that if you want something, you have to work for it, because nothing is ever free in life.
Carjavel, Doreen. “In Madrid, Art Finds New Friends At Matadero, Red Bull Adds Money (and Energy) to Culture.” New York Times Sept.-Oct. 2013
I thought this was extremely inspirational. I find it amazing that people didn’t just give up when they were no longer funded. They found something to use and did their best with it. That being said, I believe this was just a stroke of luck that there was a slaughterhouse. If it wasn’t there, I wonder if they would have continued to search for something else, or if they would have given up.
This is a great article! It’s sad to see the arts be the first area of study to be cut from the education curriculum and in society. Nonetheless, I applaud the people that joined forces to make a statement to the government that they cannot get rid of the arts.
I believe that the fact that they chose a slaughter house adds to the art aspect, and hints at the creativity. Also, I love how Red Bull is supporting these artists. I think that Red Bull being the only company part of a monopolistic competitive environment of energy drinks that is not owned by a bigger company influenced the company to support these artists.
I believe what they are doing is truly inspiring and wonderful. It’s sad to think that art would become much more scarce in Spain if passionate people like these artists didn’t band together and try to change something. I would love to visit the slaughterhouse, although it seems pretty creepy (especially since it has bloodstains, I’m wondering how they got there).
In addition, I think it’s great how they were able to get help from Red Bull. Red Bull is not only able to gain popularity and help itself through promotions in the slaughterhouse, they are also helping society. I believe more companies should try to get involved like Red Bull.
This is seriously astounding. What they’re doing… I must say, I’m glad you chose this article. It’s amazing, as you’ve mentioned, what people can accomplish as long as they have a passion for it and are able to band together. I think that, even though these groups are losing more endorsements year after year, if what they are doing is shown to others and made publicly known, they’ll have a much easier time raising the funds they need. And it’s interesting how they were able to gain monetary support from Red Bull. Red Bull is helping itself through its advertisement but, at the same time, helping spread the word of an extremely important cause. It’d be tragic if such a passionate and strong group of people were unable to accomplish their goals.
This is a remarkable article. It really showed me the importance of never giving up. Even though they stopped receiving funds, Spain didn’t let that stop them from something they truly cared about. The arts is really only appreciated by a select amount of people, usually those who can afford to go experience it. I haven’t had the luxury of seeing much art, but I’d love to go experience more. It’d be a shame if the slaughterhouse shut down because it seems incredibly unique, and it must be great if so many people are trying so hard to keep it open.
Wow, this is amazing. To have art and music displayed at a slaughterhouse that has both blood stains and graffiti? I have never heard of something like this before. I think that the group of people who have established this “exhibit” are truly motivational. Other groups who do not have enough funding should follow in their mindset and footsteps to try to keep their art alive.
This is an amazing article. What those artists did is just simply inspirational. The article shows the power and significance teamwork can have in life. From everyday little things to what the artists did with the slaughterhouse, Teamwork can be used to make it happen. What these artists did here could not have been done alone. They did not give up and lifted each other forward to success. Thanks to Red Bull, the artists were able to acquire the funds. Even though Red Bull was not in the teamwork for a common cause they can still feel good about what they did while receiving some more advertisement. Teamwork can even apply when there is not a common cause but just benefits for the two or more parties involved.