Dénia already has Banco del Beso: permanent urban action to normalize affectivity
From today Dénia is a little more romantic: the Banco del Beso has been presented this morning in the Tenor Cortis square by the Councilor for Equality, Javier Scotto, and its creator, Ramón de Cárdenas.
It is the first permanent urban action with a gender perspective, which seeks to establish itself as an icon of affection. Because that is its reason for being, being a project that was born after observing the most negative results of the diagnosis made by the Dénia City Council together with the UNED on the visibility of the LGTBI collective. In this it was observed that an immense majority of dianenses is today reluctant to the public displays of affection of said group.
The council's response was to create this space where these displays of affection are encouraged, not hiding something that should never be persecuted or recriminated. They want, in this way, to "socialize affection against marginalization."
The bench, created by the Dianense company Cardeoli, subtly imitates the shape of the lips and has two spaces where you can sit, one in the front and one in the back. Regardless of which side you choose, opposite you can see a quote made by two authors from the LGTBI collective who talk about hidden love. «Si en saps el pler no estalviïs el bes que el goig d'amar entails no moderation», by Joan Salvat-Papasseit, and «Proclaim before men the unknown truth, the truth of their true love», by Luis Cernuda.
In this way, the Tenor Cortis square becomes, perhaps, the most romantic corner of Dénia, which invites affection, reflection and knowledge.
"One of the most shocking and emotional things I have done on a professional level"
Behind the romantic and vindictive work is Ramón de Cárdenas. The designer wanted to combine the most sculptural part with functionality on the bench, so as not to lose sight of the fact that it must be a piece of furniture where you can sit.
In the presentation he was very grateful for collaborating on the project. “One of the most emotional and impactful things I have done professionally,” said De Cárdenas.
For two months he has been working on the project, creating a piece of furniture of about 75kg, in which he has opted for a reddish appearance to remind the lips.
The designer, who sought to "live the reality of the collective through the bank", has also made an appeal in the hope that the residents of Dénia "understand the piece as something sensitive, that they take care of it, pamper it and enjoy it."
