102 Monkeys

The most curious mistake of the century

At the beginning of the last century, Vicente Bosch, founder of Anís del Mono, wrote a letter to his relatives in the Americas asking them to send him 1 or 2 monkeys because the one he had in the factory was dying. It should be noted that for almost 100 years there was always a monkey in the factory that was replaced when it got old. After a few weeks, a shipment arrived in Badalona with 65 monkeys (others say there were 99) and a letter of apology because they had not been able to obtain the 102 monkeys that Don Vicente requested. So he began to give away macaques to his friends, zoos and other lucky people.

With this intervention, the artistic team Harpö made up of Lucas Milà and Arcadi Poch have wanted to refer to a unique and completely surreal historical anecdote that occurred in the city and, on the other hand, create a mural that is a space for play. The macaque tribe generates small scenes in which customers can play with the monkeys, taking photos and thus completing the piece.

We like the concept of murals that are not only made to be observed and applauded, but also to play and be completed with the public itself.