Carlos Nicanor’s ‘Where the Pelicans Sing’ Opens at El Tanque Cultural Space

The El Tanque Cultural Space in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set to host a new project that goes beyond traditional sculpture to explore the patterns of human movement. Managed by the Government of the Canary Islands, the venue will open Where the Pelicans Sing this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The exhibition, created by Gran Canarian artist Carlos Nicanor, will be on display until August 10.

Curated by Dalia de la Rosa, the exhibition reimagines the Atlantic not as a wall, but as a space for connection. By transforming the interior of the former fuel tank with floating structures, Nicanor creates an "artificial archipelago." This approach challenges the idea of islands as isolated places, instead presenting them as part of a fluid geography that links the Canary Islands to the coast of Saint-Louis, Senegal.

The project was inspired by the artist’s time in Senegal in June 2025 as part of the Océan&Savane Transversia program. During his stay, Nicanor worked with fishing nets and nautical ropes—materials that now represent the landscape of island territories in the gallery. Rather than offering a romanticized view, the work focuses on the harsh realities of migration, the elements, and the journey toward a new destination.

Carlos Nicanor, a University of La Laguna graduate with a career spanning back to 2002, is known for his experimental work with everyday objects. His efforts have earned him several honors, including the Manolo Millares Prize and the Excellens Award from the Royal Canary Academy of Fine Arts. Dalia de la Rosa, who has extensive experience researching insularity at institutions like CAAM and TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, provides the theoretical framework for the project. Together, they use contemporary art to critically examine the social and geographical realities of the islands in today’s Atlantic.