As of November 12th, ARTIUM offers a new presentation entitled COLECCIÓN II. This exhibition is a selection of art pieces chosen out of the museum's collection. After the first inaugural exhibition which presented a wide chronological display about the Spanish contemporary art movement from its beginning till present day, ARTIUM now offers a second presentation which narrows down the art pieces in display to those that belong to the period ranging from 1960 till present day.

Artium's permanent collection is in continuous expansion, thus being able to adopt different shapes and express different discourses. Therefore, the museum feels the obligation to offer different presentations, which allow visitors to establish diverse relationships, analyses and interpretations.

In an effort to do so, Artium organized different exhibitions when it first opened its doors seven months ago (April-November). Some of these are: “Gótico..., pero exótico”, displayed in different architectonic venues in Vitoria-Gasteiz; the exhibition of photographic work in the “Colección Juan Redón” and “Tan cerca , tan lejos”, which studies the surprising affinities between Spanish and German painting from 1945 to 1960. Furthermore, art pieces from Atrium's collection have been displayed in smaller exhibitions in the front gallery of the museum. Examples of these include “Petrarca y el paisaje contemporáneo”, a monograph, which is part of the serial work produced by “Mitsuo Miura”, as well as the Chamber Exhibitions, which are being displayed at the same time as COLLECCIÓN II. The latter offers an intense look into the world of the artist Rafael Zabaleta. Exhibition of COLLECCIÓN II has been made possible thanks to the generous deposits made by the Castaño-Lasaosa family, by sculptor Martin Chirino and by painter José Guerrero.

Thus, around 400 artworks belonging to Atrium's Funds have been exhibited from April to November, which constitute approximately 25% of the Atrium-owned total number of pieces.

La Colección II, which covers over 40 years of creative expression, sets forth a new point of view, which is the result of research regarding artists´ creative interests as they work on their art pieces. The never ending versatility of art, offering unlimited interpretations and messages, allows for a new expositive layout organized in 7 different groups, which tackle the most relevant aspects of life and art.

Within these seven groups, art pieces that belong to Pop Art and Surrealism, Conceptual Art and Hipper Realism come together, as well as 1970 pieces are brought together with others, which were produced 30 yeas later. Therefore, chronological succession or styles of these 4 decades are at issue. The real issue is focussing on each work independently of the rest. As each piece is looked at, the new organization of the artwork aims at making the visitor forget traditional artistic schemes and archetypes in order to get a different reading and enjoy art from a different point of view.

The following are the seven above-mentioned groups, which look for artists´ attention:

Human action
Artists under this group have human beings and their actions as their main interest, as well as consequences of those actions in the real world. These artists deal with issues such as human relationships and daily happenings among others.

Expression and gesture
This group of artist express themselves spontaneously, without too many pre-established ideas. What is essential in them is their connection with their own work.

Invented stories
It is about narrating, hinting at or recalling short stories, myths, symbols, and fictitious characters and animals.

Ambiguity
The artists express in their artwork a double sense, a visual suggestion, subtle sensations, and the mixture of artistic messages. They see art as a tool to express abstract ideas.

Questions and answers
Artists in this group question themselves about the condition of human beings and their role in the world. They search for a deeper vision of individuals and try to bring forth what is hidden and reserved in them.

Gadgets
This group gathers artists whose main objective is that of producing artistic objects, which may have an affect and modify the way of perceiving art.

Spaces
Artists´ interest is focussed on places, natural environments, urban spaces and even on creating or building new real or imaginary places.