Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife Unveils New Marco Alom Installation

The Círculo de Bellas Artes de Tenerife has unveiled a new art installation at its headquarters on 43 Castillo Street. Titled La mala hierba también tiene sed (Weeds Are Thirsty Too), the exhibition is part of the lead-up to the institution’s centenary celebrations in 2025 and will be open to the public until July 4th.

The project marks a significant shift for Tenerife-born artist Marco Alom (born 1986). While previously known for his work with embossed paper, Alom has moved toward sculpture and installation for this piece. The exhibition was curated by Octavio Zaya, who joined the artist and Círculo president Pepe Valladares at the opening.

The work was inspired by a month-long residency in Saint Louis, Senegal, where Alom worked alongside fellow artists Carlos Nicanor, Pamen Pereira, and Che Marchessi. The installation uses the 1816 shipwreck of the frigate Méduse—which occurred near the residency—as a starting point to explore the experience of the castaway. In Alom’s work, the castaway serves as a metaphor for resilience and the ongoing struggle for survival.

Beyond the historical context, the installation addresses themes of social exclusion. Drawing inspiration from Bertolt Brecht’s poem Watering the Garden, Alom highlights the experiences of marginalized people who are often overlooked by society. The piece acts as a symbol of persistence, representing those who live on the fringes. This exhibition is the eighth installment in the Círculo’s "La ventana" series, reinforcing the institution's focus on contemporary issues as it approaches its 100th anniversary.