CESAR MANRIQUE

The tribute most often paid to Cesar Manrique is that without his efforts tourist development on Lanzarote would have followed the high-rise, high-density route and the island would have lost its identity. In the environmentally conscious 1990s Lanzarote is studied by other countries who are developing tourism, and is used as a role model.

Manrique was born in Arrecife in 1919 and studied art in Madrid and New York, at a time when surrealism was a major influence. He returned to his beloved island in 1968, determined to preserve its natural beauty in the face of tourism. His major set-piece visitor attractions, Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio, and Jardin de Cactus are masterpieces of design which are totally in harmony with the landscape.

The hallmarks of any Manrique project are the use of local materials, integration with nature, and a completely peaceful atmosphere (often helped by ethereal 'mood music'), all finished with a flourish of his own brand of surreal art.

Manrique was far more than just an artist and designer, however. He was the driving force behind the island's whole tourism development philosophy. He was a fiery orator and a tireless promoter of the island, and it is thanks to him that almost all the architecture on Lanzarote is in traditional style, and that there is still a total ban on advertising hoardings.

Cesar Manrique died in a car accident just outside his Taro de Tahiche home in September 1992. His influence has been so pervasive throughout Lanzarote that his philosophy is sure to live on.

EXERCISE 2 Read the text and say whether the following statements right (R) or wrong (W).