After being invisible for about fifty years, “Sculptural Ensemble” - emblematic work of the artist Federico Assler - will once again be available to the public, thanks to a collaboration agreement entered into between the Directorate of Architecture of the Ministry of Public Works and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, GAM.
At a press conference headed by the Undersecretary of Heritage, Carolina Pérez Dattari, and the Undersecretary of MOP, Danilo Nuñez Izquierdo, the recovery and enhancement of the large-scale sculpture created in 1972 for the UNCTAD III headquarters building, a construction that today occupies the cultural center, was announced.
It was in 1971 when the painter Eduardo Martínez Bonati summoned a series of artists and craftsmen to incorporate works of art into this construction, many of them functional to the architecture. One of those invited was Federico Assler, who at that time proposed making a participatory sculpture, which would allow passers-by to use it, touch it and feel it with their body. Also that it was closely related to the city in the area close to the building.
This is how the piece, whose central part measures five meters and from which four three-meter-long arms emerge, ended up being placed in the rear slab of the building that faces Villavicencio Street.
"On the eve of Heritage Day 2025, we joyfully share a long-awaited announcement: the recovery of a work and an artist fundamental to our history, who embody the spirit of UNCTAD III and the participatory and citizen art that flourished there. Because heritage is recognizing who we are, knowing our history and making it visible, even when some try to erase it. This reopening marks a cultural milestone for the city and is an act of justice and vindication with our memory, our culture and our identity," he indicated. Carolina Pérez Dattari, undersecretary of Cultural Heritage.
The “Sculptural Complex” was concreted by the artist until the day before the inauguration of the building, in 1972. After the military coup of 1973, it remained forgotten in a parking lot, until in 2013 it was recovered to be seen provisionally in the space that, until now, is recognized as Assler Plaza. However, since December 2015 this square remained hidden and closed to the public as a result of the construction works of the second stage of GAM.
"We are happy to give this news a few days before a new celebration of Heritage Day, one of the most important cultural events in the country and an opportunity to share with family the historical and architectural diversity of Chile. Thanks to an agreement between the Directorate of Architecture and the GAM, people will be able to incorporate this year into their tours a visit to the sculpture complex of Federico Assler. His work has great value for the country and deserves to be among the featured activities of that day," said the Undersecretary of Works Public, Danilo Nuñez.
From now on, Plaza Assler and its work are once again visible from Villavicencio Street and can be visited through mediated visits, carried out by the GAM Linkage and Mediation team.
“We are honored and proud to once again exhibit the work of Federico Assler to the community after 50 years. “Sculptural ensemble” is part of the overwhelming heritage collection inherited by UNCTAD III to GAM. A set of sculptures, murals, objects and functional art that with great vision was commissioned by Eduardo Martínez Bonati and carried out together with the construction of the building with the intention of showing creative talent and Chilean art to the world. As part of our mission we will continue on the path of enhancing this important Latin American heritage.”
— Alejandra Martí Olbrich, GAM executive director.
During the heritage weekend, people who visit the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center and take the “From Unctad to GAM” tour will be able to observe the “Sculptural Complex” from Villavicencio. After this date, those who want to get to know the work up close and interact with it can request a mediated visit at least two weeks in advance to mediacion@gam.cl.
