Cara de Barcelona is a monumental sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein installed opposite the Moll de la Fusta. Standing 15 metres high, with vivid colours and flowing forms, it looks as though it has stepped out of a comic strip and into public space. The work combines materials, techniques and visual references from pop art with a nod to Catalan Modernisme. Created in the context of the 1992 Olympic Games, it captures the Barcelona of the 1990s: a city opening itself up to the world with colour, irony and optimism.
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Roy Lichtenstein had never been to Barcelona when he created this sculpture, but that did not stop him from imagining a pop tribute with a local accent and references to Catalan Modernisme.
The sculpture is best appreciated from a little distance. As with the artist’s paintings, it is worth stepping back to take in the interplay between volume, colour and surroundings.
