Art Exhibition Preparations and Concerns

I really like how the proof turned out for the printer.

Though maybe I’d tone down the background slightly to give more prominence to, to the transparency of the bottle. I don’t know if we still have time.

Fina. Yes? Do we have time to change the background?

Yes, yes, yes, but… I-I won’t be able to have it ready right away.

By when? Well, give me at least a couple of days.

No problem. Thanks. It’s just… I’m sorry, it’s just with everything about the opening of the exhibition, I’m just, just, just not myself.

Oh, it’s, it’s the opening today. Marta, you don’t forget things like this, please.

How could I forget? It’s important. And of course you can’t get it out of your head, right?

How are you? Well, I’m a nervous wreck, to tell you the truth.

Fina, your photos are wonderful. I don't know. I don't know, Marta.

Every day, I wonder if I have the right to exhibit alongside a woman like Bianca, with the caliber she has.

And what's more, one of the country's best art critics is probably going to show up and see my work, Marta. They're going to see it. What will they think?

They'll think I'm a beginner. That's what they'll think, because that's what I am.

Look, I'm no art critic, obviously, but I know what you do is different.

And people tend to value that. Marta, but you can't be objective either.

No, I can't be objective. I'm surprised you don't see the person you've become. Can't you see?

No, I don't know. Because I can see it. Despite the difficult beginnings you've had, you've become quite an artist.

I'm trying, at least. But I still have so, so much to learn, so much.

And I'm realizing it's not the same thing as taking pretty photographs as creating true art.

Well, that's what an artist is, isn't it?

Someone who doubts, someone who's always learning, who asks questions, experiments.

And to start with, you're going to exhibit at one of the most important galleries in Madrid.

You're an admirable woman. Marta. And I'm sorry I didn't realize what you needed when you arrived.

I could have done something differently.

No, no, no. Please don't even say that, okay?

I know I was anxious to get back what we had and that I felt lost with so much change.

Marta, please don't feel guilty. Do you know how much your words are helping me right now?

When I tell you what you're worth, it's not just to help you. I really mean it.

Marta, I'd like you to come to the opening.

I want you to know that. Will you come? I-I'll try. I just have a few things to take care of.

You should be the one leaving, because it's a long drive to Madrid and I imagine you'll have things to get ready there.

Yes, yes, yes. That's true. Do you have someone who can give you a ride? We can talk to a driver who can take you down to Madrid.

No, no, no, don't worry, yes. Francesco, Bianca's art dealer, has sent a car to pick me up.

Good. I don't think it'll be long. Well, go on.

Yes, I'm leaving. And all the luck in the world.

Though you don't need it. I'm off.

Oh, come here. I want to tell you something about the shutters.

When there's a lot of light, lots of sun, squint, but now you have to open them.

It's because of the light on the paintings. Oh, my little girl. Hi.

How are you? Sorry, okay? I, I got here late, but I had work to finish.

No, everything's fine. Look. Let's see. It all turned out beautifully. I'm exhausted, but very happy.

My goodness, Bianca. What? It's perfect, perfect.

You can really tell you have experience.

Look. Well, tell me how I can help. What's left?

Nothing, nothing. Enjoy yourself, don't worry.

Now I'm going to put on a few finishing touches, but I want you to enjoy yourself. The one who fusses over every little thing and the little details is me.

Oh, no, sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother, but I've got this, like, this knot in my stomach, you have no idea, like a ball.

But why? Look, the layout is perfect, the lighting— The guys are fixing it already.

Mhm. The catalog too, everything's fine.

What— Oh, no. What don't you like? Nothing, I like it all. Everything's fine.

Ah, ah. Really, everything's fine. Okay.

I don't know, Bianca. Honestly, I'm nervous about how my photographs will be received.

Will people understand them? Of course they will. Look at them, they're spectacular.

Yeah, I don't know. It's just that I was so sure about the selection I made.

Well, you know that I defended it well. But now, when they're about to be shown to the public, uh, um…

What? Well, you're going to kill me. Come on, what's wrong?

Well, I'm thinking you were right. About what?

And I should've listened to you and picked some more, um…

More conservative. Oh, no, no. Fina Valero, enough. Fear can't come to visit you right now.

You stood up for a vision, stick with it. Stay strong.

Trust yourself. I know, but it's my vision. That's clear.

But it's the vision of someone who has no experience, Bianca.

Trust the person who does have experience, because you convinced me.

The photos are gorgeous, but that's enough.

I think the best thing is, look, I'm going to check out a few things in the other room, I'm going to get my bag, then we'll go get some fresh air.

Want to eat something? Grab a bite across the street?

Bianca, one moment. Aren't you afraid? Let's see.

I mean, doesn't it worry you how the Spanish public might receive your art?

Yes, a little. But I'm very confident in my work now.

It's been many years, it's a career, you know?

But it's normal to feel that way. But at first, at first you felt like... like I feel now.

Yeah. Look, I remember my first exhibition was a, a group exhibition with lots of emerging artists, all really young, you know?

And we all exhibited together. And I was only showing one painting.

Well, at least this painting was nicely camouflaged among the others.

No, worse, worse. I was hysterical. I, I, I remember buying a bottle of Malbec, drinking the whole thing— I stood beside the painting, my only painting, and listened to hear what people were saying.

Oh. And it was worse, because they said the most ridiculous things, such utter nonsense…

I don't even want to remember it. But there was another exhibition after that, and then another. And well, honestly, look at me now.

I enjoy this, this moment, the event. Yeah. But just thinking that there'll be people standing in front of my photographs who'll be able to criticize them and give their opinions, I...

Oh, it's normal, it's normal, sweetie, it's normal.

But once your career takes off and you start moving forward in everything, all this will fade away and be nothing. Hmm?

Besides, this exhibition is a wonderful first step for you, Fina.

And thank you. Well. Hmm? Who's coming today? An art critic?

No, who? A highly specialized gentleman. Vicente.

Vicente Sastre. Sastre. He's coming to the opening today.

That's great. Don't look like a scared rabbit on the road.

Practice a divine smile, let's see. No. Yes. Let's see, just a little like this.

Bianca, please. Up a bit, up. No, you've got to practice!

Oh, Bianca. Let's go have some wine, come on.

I don't know if I'll go, Andrés. Is it because of Bianca?

Maybe it's childish of me, but seeing the two of them together there celebrating Bianca's great success…

I think it would hurt me more than anything.

That man is only after money. And that's what I've offered him.

But do you think such an escalation is wise?

Well, Gabriel paid him for a service, and I'm going to offer him money for some information.

I shouldn't have taken this job. I'm risking my career, Claudia.

No, Fina. Besides, if you hadn't taken it, you'd have spent your whole life wondering: “What would have happened if I'd taken it?”

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right.

It has no soul. Maybe he's talking about Fina's photo.

It's missing conceptual coherence. Oh, dear.

Delagustín said something that may have affected Valentina.

Uh, in what way? The usual one. We're talking about Begoña again.