Coloured decorative mosaics | Rafael Rumoroso

THE COLOURED MOSAICS PRESENTED BELOW, WHICH WERE LOCATED IN THE NORTH DINING HALLS AND IN THE AREAS NOW OCCUPIED BY THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY AND THE MINI-FLATS ON THE SAME FLOOR LEVEL.

THEY WERE DESIGNED IN 1956 BY FRANCISCO FARRERAS RICARD, WHO, TOGETHER WITH TÀPIES, WAS ONE OF THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE ABSTRACT PAINTERS IN SPAIN IN THE 20TH CENTURY; THEIR PAINTINGS NOW HANG IN THE MOST IMPORTANT MUSEUMS IN THE WORLD, WHICH IS WHY THESE DESIGNS HAVE VERY CONSIDERABLE ARTISTIC VALUE

FROM THE DOCUMENTATION DEPOSITED IN THE ARCHIVO HISTÓRICO DE ASTURIAS, WE KNOW THAT ON 9 NOVEMBER 1956 FARRERAS SHOWED HIS DRAWINGS TO THE ARCHITECT PEDRO RODRÍGUEZ DE LA PUENTE, AND THAT ON 14 DECEMBER 1956 THE FIRM INNOVACIÓN, WHICH MADE THE MOSAICS, INFORMED THE PATRONATO OF THE UNIVERSIDAD LABORAL THAT THE DESIGNS HAD BEEN APPROVED BY AURELIO BIOSCA AND THE ARCHITECT PEDRO RODRÍGUEZ DE LA PUENTE, THEIR AUTHOR BEING THE PAINTER FARRERAS.

THERE ARE SOME 35 DESIGNS, OF WHICH WE PRESENT A SELECTION

The beauty of the coloured decorative mosaics THAT CLAD THE INTERIOR WALLS OF THE UNIVERSIDAD LABORAL

MOSAIC MURAL DESIGNED BY FRANCES FARRERAS AND EXECUTED BY THE FIRM INNOVACIÓN (SANTIAGO PADRÓS), which was located in the dining halls of the north pavilion, for students in the upper years

ENLARGED DETAILS OF THE MURAL

OLD PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DINING HALL IN THE NORTH PAVILION WHERE THE DESIGNS BY FRANCES FARRERAS WERE LOCATED, WHICH WAS USED BY STUDENTS FROM THE 3RD YEAR OF THE INDUSTRIAL JOURNEYMAN (OFICIALÍA INDUSTRIAL) COURSE ONWARDS.

Detail of how these designs came to be integrated into the so-called mini-flats

Various photographs of the works carried out in the sector of the former north dining hall, clearly showing how part of the mosaic was absorbed by the application of plasterboard wall linings, the mosaic being incorporated into the dwelling as if it were a picture.

One of the parts of the great mural DURING THE WORKS

THE MURAL, finished, IN ITS NEW POSITION INSIDE AN APARTMENT

Mosaics in the corridors of the mini-flats that were preserved as they originally were, except that the walls of plain, undecorated mosaic were painted over

At present, 12 DESIGNS ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY, AND THE REST, UP TO 36, ARE WITHIN THE so-called mini-flats for young people

MOSAIC DURING THE WORKS

THE SAME MOSAIC ONCE COMPLETED

These photographs show the part of the mosaic that remained in the corridors of the mini-flats, where the plain coloured mosaic, which was painted white, is missing.

They are located in the part lying between the levels of 37 and 40.60 metres

COLOURED MOSAICS THAT WERE INTEGRATED INTO WHAT IS NOW THE MUSIC CONSERVATORY, AND WHICH FORM PART OF THOSE THAT WERE IN THE DINING HALL OF THE NORTH PAVILION.