Rustigenio, a combination of “rustic” and “genius”, is the artistic name chosen by Armando Baigorri, a baker by profession who is known as the Gaudí of the Navarrese Ribera. He has transformed an old gypsum factory in the small town of Monteagudo into a work of art using stones of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Without formal training in architecture or engineering, he has learned to master the “science of stone”, believing that each stone and sculpture has its own unique personality. His fascination with stones dates back to his childhood, and he has left his mark in many places, but the old gypsum factory is considered one of his masterpieces.
Working mostly on his own, Rustigenio has kept the origins of the stones he uses a secret, as well as the method he uses to keep everything standing. He humorously claims that the stones are brought by helicopter from Canada and glued together with inexpensive bazaar glue. He emphasizes that physical strength, hard work, skill, and understanding the weight and balance of stones are necessary to complete the project. Rustigenio carefully chooses each stone based on its weight, balance, height, volume, and material, believing that each stone has its own unique personality and form due to the natural erosion and wear over millions of years.
Rustigenio’s art extends beyond stones, as he has also created iron sculptures of various sizes in the courtyard of the house. His mind is constantly filled with new ideas and projects, such as constructing a stone arch and adding castle doors to the property. Despite being 62 years old, Rustigenio’s creativity and passion for his work show no signs of slowing down. He envisions potentially turning the house into a rural accommodation in the future to recover the investment made in it. Rustigenio is also considering making the surrounding area more accessible for visitors to fully enjoy his artwork.
Visitors from all over the world come to see Rustigenio’s stone-covered house, with even the director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Glenn Lowry, paying a visit recently. Rustigenio remains dedicated to completing his work and expanding on it, constantly thinking of new ways to enhance the experience for those who come to see it. Despite the challenges he has faced in creating his masterpiece, Rustigenio’s love for stones and art continue to drive him forward, and he plans to continue working on his unique project for years to come.
