Projekt Lanzarote – urzeczywistnienie utopii? César Manrique i jego program estetyczno-społecznego przeobrażenia wyspy

Manrique and His Lanzarote Project. Utopia Actualized? An Artist's Programme for the Aesthetic-Social Transformation of an Island

The book is an expression of the author’s fascination with César Manrique’s social and artistic concept, who – with the help of art – wanted to highlight the natural beauty of the volcanic island Lanzarote and make it a dream place to live in for its inhabitants. A place that is attractive for the outside visitors, but also free of mass tourism and recurring products of the industry.

The author describes the phenomenon of Lanzarote from the perspective of social philosophy, analysing the role of the artist in shaping the world surrounding him. He refers to the idea of beauty of nature as a source of not only artistic creation, but also human happiness. He describes how people are rooted in tradition, culture, and local area, which are essential for building social identity. The open ending of the book encourages readers to reflect on their own if César Manrique’s utopian idea to make Lanzarote a place of unity of life, art, and humanity is a success or if it still remains an unfulfilled dream.

Keywords: Lanzarote island, César Manrique, utopia, myth of Atlantis, labyrinth metaphor, landscape architecture, sustainable tourism.