Almería

Ode to Joy and the naked truth

By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 28 Nov 2011 • 10:12

ALMERIA artist Andres Garcia Ibañez’s latest work will be dedicated to “universal brotherhood” based on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Garcia Ibañez is the driving force behind the Olula del Rio’s Museo Ibañez and a 36-strong choir of naked men and women “singing of fellow-feeling and world harmony” posed for his giant canvas.

All were supporters of the EQUO political party. Ibañez had been able to encounter the same answers in EQUO’s manifesto and campaign programme that the great composer, wanting brotherhood and hope for humanity, had found in Schiller’s Ode to Joy, said a party communiqué.

Human nudity, claimed the party, “is also regarded as a sign of harmony, honesty and zero tolerance for corruption” – the same values that EQUO fought for.

The party expressed its thanks to Ibañez both for suggesting their collaboration in such a significant picture as well as his welcome for the group when they visited his art gallery.

“Given the cruelty of a system attacked by the markets and a capitalism which exterminates creatures and exploits the planet’s resources so uncontrollably, global change is called for,” said EQUO.

And the shape that this change should take, continued their communiqué, was equality and brotherhood together with respect for all species and the environment.