The artist who created the obelisk in Motril, Abelardo Espejo Tramblin, has accused the Town Hall of hiding the damage caused to it when it was taken down.

Despite objections raised by Sr. Espejo, the Town Hall insisted on moving it from Calle Cuevas to the Plaza de Toros. The structure has been laid down there, surrounded by barriers and covered by tarpaulin.

Councillor Balderas who heads the Urban Development Department claims that, “The obelisk monument suffered no damage at all whilst it was being taken down,” which, judging by the video footage, is hard to believe, admittedly.

Sr. Espejo said that the facts demonstrate evidence to the contrary, adding, Las mentiras tienen las patas cortas (literally, lies have short legs, mean, that they don’t last long before becoming unravelled).

He said that he repeatedly warned about trying to move it without a technical project for desmantling approved by him as he is the only one who knows 100% about its complex structure.

The Town Hall went ahead anyway and the artist decided not to be present but Youtube videos show that damage was certainly caused to it.

An inspection carried out on the 28th of last month revealed damage to its base, visible fissures in the structure, buckling, etc. Furthermore the lighting within (flourescent tubes) is completely damaged, he claims.

Consequently, he is demanding and independed evaluation of its present state.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Obelisk, Calle Cuevas, Damaged, Desmantled, Town Hall, Urban Development, Abelardo Espejo

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Reader’s comment: “Did the artist not get paid for the obelisk or something? Surely once the work has been commissioned and paid for, then it’s the owner’s property to do whatever they like with?

Yes, sympathy for the creator, especially if he burned a lot of time making the installation; and yes owners buggering it up with mistreatment could possibly affect the artist’s reputation slightly if it wasn’t documented. But this guy does seem to be really hands-on for something he’s sold.” – Darren