Mariano Ruiz Araujo, the socialist spokesperson for the Málaga City Council, has submitted a request to annul the acceptance of the 'Las Columnas del Mar' sculptures, created by Ceuta-born artist Ginés Serrán. He claims the agreement is fraught with legal irregularities and hidden costs.
The agreement, approved by the Local Government Board on 15 September, has been described by Ruiz Araujo as having 'unacceptable substantial deficiencies for the city'. He has raised concerns about the 'absolute legal irresponsibility' of the operation, pointing to contradictory municipal reports. While the artist stipulates that the sculptures must remain in their original location, the Legal Advisory Department contradicts this, leading to suspicions about the conditions of the donation.
Ruiz Araujo argues that the city is accepting these sculptures irregularly, as donations should be unconditional according to regulations. He also challenges the notion of 'zero cost', stating that no calculations have been made regarding associated costs such as insurance, cleaning, maintenance, or transportation. Additionally, he highlights hidden financial obligations, including an annual fee of €7,000 demanded by the Port Authority.
'It is absolutely false that this operation does not cost money to the people of Málaga,' Ruiz Araujo emphasised. The absence of a report from the Municipal Intervention raises further concerns about guarantees, and the viability of the installation is also in question. The occupancy permit granted in September is temporary, lasting only one year, which conflicts with the artist's requirement for permanence and violates urban planning regulations in a protected area.
In response, Rosa del Mar Rodríguez, the Councillor for Participation, accused the governing team of imposing their criteria with 'arrogance', governing without consulting citizens or experts. She noted that key institutions, including the College of Architects and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Telmo, along with five major cultural and historical entities, have already rejected the installation due to its aggressive visual impact.
'The PP dismisses expert opinions as mere tantrums. Listening to cultural institutions that disagree strengthens public management; systematically ignoring them is reckless,' Rodríguez warned. She condemned the selective use of citizen participation by the mayor, who only engages with it when it aligns with the PP's preferences, silencing dissenting voices.
Rodríguez called for an immediate opening of a genuine participation process, stating, 'The future of Málaga and the integration of the Port must be built on consensus, putting an end to these unilateral and imposed decisions.'
