THE ARMY IS IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN WITH THE 2011 CALENDAR

An authentic revolution.  That is what the Army Department of Communication has caused with the calendar that it has produced for 2011 and that has been presented on 14th December at “Buenavista” Palace, Army Headquarters, in Madrid. With this, the Army gives full-fledged status to the “collage” type technique with which painter, sculptor and draftsman Mr. Francisco Santana, advised by Lieutenant General Quesada, has provided an image for the Engineers’ 3rd Centenary.

In addition to the calendar, for the occasion a book has been published, titled “Paving the Way”, which compiles the words of the lieutenant general, who narrates the Arm’s most important historical milestones during its three century existence, and which is accompanied by the illustrations that Mr. Santana has created for each month of the year.   The aim of the artist is to lend a character of permanence to the anniversaries of events taking place which the calendar, due to its evident, dated essence could not give.

Both calendar and book have had a red carpet debut.  The ceremony has been attended by the Joint Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Force General Rodríguez, the Admiral Chief of the Navy Staff, Admiral General Rebollo, and the Chief of the Army Staff, Army General Coll, as well as numerous authorities from the Ministry of Defence and public figures, such as the mythic basketball player Mr. Juan Antonio Corbalán, to fill the 200 seat auditorium.

Those attending have been able to view two documents:  “Historical Summary of the Engineer Arm” and “The 2011 Calendar.  Military Engineers”.  They have also listened by videoconference to Colonel Manjón-Cabeza, commander of the oldest Engineers Regiment of the Arm, the 7th, from Ceuta, and to Lieutenant Colonel Fernández Vega, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Engineers, from Marjayoun. In person, Army General Coll expressed gratitude both to the historian and the painter for their efforts and work to make this project a success, a project “that during the next year, will allow us to experience the profound history of the Engineer Arm each day.

Subsequently, the guest could view an exhibition of the painter’s original works, in which he has used a mixed technique (pencils, acrylics, etc.) as well as the "collage" to assemble the pieces making up each image.  “Thus, I have intended to accentuate the contrast between the classical style images and a much more modern, carefree structure,” the artist has explained.