The exhibition, installed in the entrance hall of the Faculty of Geography and History, highlights the illustrator and comic book author's work as a designer, and was made possible thanks to a donation from curator Álvaro Pons to the Valencian Design Archive. The conference will be held from July 14 to 17, 2026 at the University of Valencia.

The Faculty of Geography and History at the University of Valencia hosted the opening ceremony of the 7th ALCESXXI Conference on Tuesday, July 14. Organized by the International Association of 21st Century Spanish Literature and Film, the conference will take place from July 14 to 17, 2026. As part of this event, the exhibition "Miguel Calatayud" was inaugurated in the faculty's entrance hall. "Dissenys," dedicated to one of the great names in Valencian graphic culture.

The opening was attended by the secretary of the Faculty of Geography and History, Professor Ester Alba Pagán, and the exhibition's curators, Álvaro Pons and Noelia Ibarra, along with other prominent figures from the academic and cultural world.

Miguel Calatayud (Aspe, 1942) is primarily known for his work as an illustrator, recognized with three national awards, and as a comic book author. The exhibition, however, focuses on a lesser-known but equally brilliant facet: his work as a designer. His work for publications such as Cartelera Turia and the magazine ESTUDIS connects with artistic movements like Estampa Popular and narrative figuration, with collage as a key element and color as the main protagonist, in compositions designed to capture the reader's interest and be read carefully, where tradition and modernity merge.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to a donation from curator Álvaro Pons to the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny (Valencian Design Archive), which thus adds to its collection the work of one of the most influential figures in Valencian graphic design. With this exhibition, the University of Valencia reaffirms its commitment to the recovery, conservation, and dissemination of Valencian design heritage, a task that the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny has been carrying out since its inception.

The 7th ALCESXXI Conference brings together researchers from across Spain and around the world in Valencia for a program of research seminars, workshops, and cultural activities that will run until July 17.

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