Sculpture in the cellar “Brindis”

At the point where the BP-2427 road serves as the gateway to the Capital of Cava, in 2010 the City Council wanted to erect a symbol that would welcome visitors and, at the same time, pay tribute to the product that has made the name of the town universal. The result was “Brindis”, a monumental sculpture by Jaume Amigó — artist born in 1964 and trained in both painting, engraving and volume — that translates into iron the magical moment of striking two glasses.

The work stands on a cast concrete base in the subsoil and is designed with 5 mm thick black iron plate. Amigó cuts, holes, bends and welds the metal until it turns it into two glasses overflowing with bubbles, without concessions to the curved line: all are clean cuts and angular shapes that evoke geometric minimalism. To give them a nuanced presence, the surface was subjected to a controlled oxidation process: the rust was allowed to bloom to an orange hue and, when the texture was optimal, a transparent varnish was applied to it to fix the color and protect the piece from atmospheric agents.

Despite the apparent hardness of the material, the composition conveys lightness and festivity; the upward gesture of the cups, almost in suspension, and the line of small perforations that hint at the bubbles, act as a clear metaphor for celebration, friendship and welcome. The piece was awarded to three other finalist proposals in the public competition convened by the Sadurninense consistory; the jury particularly valued the sculpture's ability to be read from the vehicle in motion and to connect with the popular imagination of the cava without being overloaded with literality.

From a technical point of view, the monument exemplifies Amigó's will to work from essential languages and everyday iconography, but transferred to abstraction. The welds are visible and claimed as an artisan imprint, and the iron plate retains its original texture, so light plays on it, highlighting shadows and highlights according to the time of day.

Today “Brindis” is not only a landscape landmark but also a meeting point for citizens. It is often illuminated on certain dates - for example during the Cavatast or at the end of the year - and features thousands of photographs of tourists who, when they get out of the car, take the opportunity to immortalize their first greeting to Sant Sadurní. The monument is a permanent reminder of the hospitable, open and cheerful character of a village that lives among vineyards and bubbles.

Open to visitors: Yes
Accessible: Yes
More information: Link 1