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The story behind the apartment that was abandoned in the dome of the Bencich Palace - La Nacion Propiedades
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La historia detrás del departamento que estaba abandonado en la cúpula del Palacio Bencich
Una mujer compró el departamento abandonado que está en la cúpula del Palacio Bencich y creó un espacio impensado
www.lanacion.com.ar
January 5, 2024
A woman bought the abandoned apartment in the dome of the Bencich Palace and created an unexpected space
By Candelaria Reinoso Taccone
The dome of the Bencich Palace is now an art space linked to the Law created by its new owner after a period of abandonment
In the heart of the eclectic Retiro neighborhood , a space that was once abandoned and worn by time, was transformed into an epicenter of creativity , reflection and artistic experimentation. Giorgia Alliata, a 24-year-old young woman (and recent graduate of Law from the University of San Andrés ), carried out a project that vindicates cultural heritage and merges art and philosophy in a unique environment.
Bencich Building on 807 Córdoba Avenue
Alfonsina Storni lived in the building between 1892 and 1938.
The story begins during the challenging times of the pandemic. Giorgia was still a student and was looking for a creative workshop. It was then when she found this apartment in one of the domes of the iconic Bencich Palace on the corner of Córdoba and Esmeralda avenues. Residential construction designed by architect Eduardo Le Monnier in 1927, this architectural project was carried out at the request of the brothers Massimiliano and Miguel Bencich. Furthermore, none other than the Argentine poetess Alfonsina Storni (1892-1938) had her home here. A commemorative plaque remembers her at the main entrance of the building.
As he remembers, the area “was dead” and “the prices were very low.” At that time, Retiro was unattractive and the offices were deserted. Giorgia had the idea of transforming a space for a long time, and her lease was about to end. Just at that moment, the opportunity arose to acquire this 89 m² apartment. For her, this was an exceptional opportunity to fulfill two fundamental objectives: find a place to live and, at the same time, give free rein to her passion for art . And they became the reason for her to buy it.
The department is located in that dome
The eclectic architecture of the building and its damp, decaying walls encouraged the artist and lawyer to create the work directly on the wall.
Giorgia lived in the apartment throughout the transformation process
While carrying out the move, Giorgia made a momentous decision: to base her degree thesis in Philosophy of Law on the work she would undertake in her new home . Her vision would be centered on circularity and justice from a visual perspective, two seemingly divergent concepts that she would surprisingly intertwine in her artistic project.
The dome , which had been uninhabited for two decades and had previously been remodeled by its former owner, became the blank canvas for a unique artistic experiment. Located on the 12th floor, specifically at the base of the dome, the biggest problem the apartment had was moisture leaks. Although this could be a problem for anyone, for Giorgia it became a creative source . She used photosensitive chemicals that react to light, humidity and other weather variables to create layers of art that capture the essence of the space and its history.
Giorgia united art and law, two apparently divergent concepts, in a surprising way in her artistic project.
The transformation process lasted nine months , during which Giorgia inhabited her experimentation space. The newly painted walls began to peel due to weather conditions and humidity, but this phenomenon became a distinctive and symbolic element of her art. Most of the work took place from early 2022 to October last year.
Giorgia warns that the dome as a habitable home was not very practical, but her focus was always on intervening and transforming this space and not as a permanent residence. “My artistic concept has to do with inhabiting a place, that's why the project is called “Encúpula.” Sleeping in the place where I intervened was fundamental in my process,” she explains. However, some challenges arose , as the chemicals she used generated a lot of odor and she was forced to return to her parents' house intermittently. “After the inauguration, the dome began to grow and so many people came to see it that she could not continue living there ,” explains the lawyer, so she ended up transforming her bedroom into an exhibition room. Since then, a wide variety of curious visitors, from art and architecture lovers to photographers, come every week.
The space is divided into two distinct areas: the permanent exhibition, which is located in the circular dome at the corner of the building, and the rectangular room, which mutates every one or two months. At present, it is in the process of being assembled to exhibit the work of another artist. Both spaces are connected by a hallway with a small kitchen in the middle.
The work “Los Ojos”, by Clara Z, is currently on display in the traditional room.
Giorgia Alliata intervening in the walls
This project has definitely become a highly collaborative initiative. “I realized that I wanted to give others the opportunity to experience what it means to intervene in a place in a similar way to how I did,” says Giorgia. In the context of the dome, four other artists also collaborated: Martín Rodríguez, Cleo Stoutzker, Benito Ekmekdjian and Ramón de Oromí.
Recently, and after almost two years, Girogia had to take a difficult step and move away from the space that he transformed so much to pursue a master's degree in art in the United States. Although he considered turning it into a foundation, the responsibility of managing it remotely was unfeasible. For this reason, although he remains at the head of the project, he delegated to Rosario Seré, a Design student, the administrative management, the organization of the assemblies and the visits. “For me, this place goes beyond a simple gallery ; I consider it a cultural , interdisciplinary and experimental space. We do not pursue commercial purposes, but rather we evaluate proposals that align with the essence of the space and give the opportunity to exhibit committed artists,” says the lawyer.
The visits used to be free access, but due to the limitation of 20 people at a time, times were established to receive them: Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To ensure attendance and avoid missed reservations, the purchase of a ticket through Passline with a cost of $800 is required.
The concept of justice
Giorgia used photosensitive and household chemicals and pigments in shades of blue and gold.
In Giorgia's words, her path led her to develop a concept deeply rooted in Law, although its essence pushed her towards the world of art. “I am a visual artist, everything I do conceptually has to do with the idea of justice,” she reveals. For her, art plays a fundamental role in visualizing the relativity of this concept. “Law is a normative order that regulates us,” she says, but there is also “the most philosophical concept of justice.” For her, art can address these issues at deeper levels that are often unattainable by law.
That intrinsic connection between art and justice is evident in the history of humanity. Giorgia remembers that at times when politics and law do not adequately represent the interests of the majority, art emerges as an effective mechanism to give voice to those people. “ There were artistic movements throughout history that had an enormous impact on a social and legal level ,” she emphasizes. Although art and law tend to be considered two separate spheres, Giorgia urges us to understand their constant interaction. “Very little importance is given to them because they are thought to be two different worlds, but in reality they are constantly in friction,” she concludes.
The place was baptized "Encúpula"
“Encúpula” not only recovers and highlights the cultural richness of Retiro, but also highlights how an initiative born in a forgotten space can trigger a transformative impact that goes beyond disciplinary limits. From the architecture of the dome, a creative experiment unfolds that becomes an inspiring beacon and a space for the exchange of ideas. This proposal invites us to discover how creativity, deep thinking and current life are deeply intertwined.
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