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Hombre Río, Córdoba, Spain

Hombre Río was a floating sculpture in the Spanish city of Córdoba, created by sculptors Rafael Cornejo and Francisco Marcos. They carved a reclining man from white cork and placed it in the Guadalquivir River on 18 April 2006, anchoring it to the riverbed to stop it drifting. The work attracted strong public interest and some controversy between local and regional authorities, as well as the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority. After a week, it broke free and came to rest near the Molino de Martos, and the artists later removed it. On 8 January 2007, a reconstruction of the sculpture, now made of polyester, was anchored near Miraflores Bridge for permanent display, but it was swept away by floodwaters on 22 November 2007 and later rescued by firefighters.

Hombre Río sculpture emerging from calm water with a peaceful face.
Hombre Río rests partly submerged in the Guadalquivir, with its head and upper body visible above the water.
October 2007 © Pedro · CC BY 2.0
Hombre Río sculpture partly emerging from calm water, with its head tilted back and eyes closed.
Hombre Río partly emerges from the water in Córdoba, Spain.
April 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Hombre Río statue partly submerged in water beside a bridge pier, with a bird perched on its head.
Hombre Río, shown partly submerged in the water near a bridge pier in Córdoba, Spain.
April 2007 © · CC BY 2.0
Hombre Río sculpture partially submerged in murky water with stone embankment and buildings in the background.
Hombre Río floats in the Guadalquivir River in Córdoba, with the city’s riverside buildings behind it.
April 2007 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Aerial view of the Puente de Miraflores spanning a wide greenish river
Puente de Miraflores in Córdoba spans the river across a sparse green landscape.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleHombre Río
TypeFloating sculpture

Historical context

LocationGuadalquivir River, Córdoba, Spain

Creator

ArtistsRafael Cornejo and Francisco Marcos

Discovery and provenance

Commissioning authorityThe city council of Córdoba

Physical characteristics

SubjectA reclining man floating peacefully on the surface of the river
Dimensions1.7 m high and 2.5 m wide

Materials

Original materialWhite cork
Reconstruction materialHardened polyester resin and fiberglass
Material noteA material commonly used in boat construction

Technique

AnchoringAnchored to the riverbed by a 2-ton weight and a 12-meter chain
Unseen partThe submerged part is not sculpted
ConstructionComposed of three parts: the torso and two legs, joined by a metal structure

Appearance

Dynamic conceptionDesigned to move and rotate with wind and river currents

Iconography and meaning

PurposeInstalled as a tribute to the relationship between Córdoba and the Guadalquivir River
Name meaning"River Man" in English; the name refers to its long history with humans

Location and ownership

Installation date18 April 2006
Reconstruction date8 January 2007
Reconstruction locationNear Miraflores Bridge
Reconstruction approvalApproved by the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority (CHG)

History and restoration

Initial removalAbout one week after installation, it broke free from its moorings, became stranded next to Molino de Martos, and was removed by the sculptors after ten days
Reconstruction purposeInstalled permanently for exhibition
Reconstruction fateOn 22 November 2007 it broke free again due to a rise in river flow after rains, drifted until it ran aground, and was rescued by firefighters
Current statusNo longer exists

Significance

Public reactionIt aroused great interest among people in Córdoba and caused controversy between local and regional administrations and the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority (CHG)