Irene Hernández and Manuel Gamaza, students of the 2nd graduating class of the MCS, renovate the Ortiz Echagüe Space at the Museum.

Irene Hernández and Manuel Gamaza, students of the second promotion of the Master in Curatorial Studieshave managed the recent renovation of the José Ortiz Echagüe Space of the Museum. The young curators, who are currently working in the Collection and Exhibitions area, have been in charge of the selection and organization of this space dedicated to the renowned photographer.

Currently, 25 new pieces can be seen, 15 of which have never been shown before in the Museum, such as Cerros de Calatayud, Mujer de Ávila and Baile en la Armuña. The space also brings together iconic works, such as Remero vasco and Fuente mora. Gamaza stresses that "works of great quality and with certain parallels between them are exhibited. The pieces play with the spectator's eye, allowing him to enter Ortiz-Echagüe's world".

Likewise, Hernández explains how they have carried out their curatorial work: "From the moment we knew we were going to change the Espacio José Ortiz Echagüe, we began to research and read about his life and work. This allowed us to learn about all the artistic and conceptual aspects in order topropose a new selection of photographs that reflected the artist's technique, style and vision. His life project is so broad with such an exquisite quality that allows you to travel to the Spain of the early twentieth century".

ENRICHING EXPERIENCE

"It has been a very positive experience that has allowed us to learn about the entire curatorial process in an exhibition space, such as research, selection, framing, assembly and exhibition of pieces," says Gamaza. For her part, her colleague emphasizes that her professional experience at the Museum is proving "enriching because it allows you to get to know first-hand the real workings of a museum". She also stresses that "studying the Master's Degree in Curatorial Studies at Museo Universidad de Navarra has given me, above all, the theoretical aspects involved in curatorial practice, which I can now consolidate and internalize thanks to the opportunity they have given me to be part of the Curatorial Department".

In this line, Gamaza emphasizes that they are living the practices in an "intense and productive" way :"We participate in the process of all the exhibitions of the museum, we work with the funds, we are in contact with artists, we know the ins and outs of the profession and above all, we learn a lot. The master's degree training has given us a legal and theoretical basis, we learn about conservation protocols and we value such fundamental aspects as educational programs and communication in the museum field".