Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana is the nomadic biennial of contemporary art that invites us to rethink our cities, environments, and relationships with nature. It will take place from September 8 to November 24 across 12 cities and 16 venues, exploring the urban, environmental, and political challenges of the region and how these are reflected in other European cities.
Its heart lies in the former Gustavo Gili publishing house, an architectural gem that hosts a series of presentations exploring radical pedagogies, political imagination, and an anti-colonial metropolis. Additionally, it is organized into three thematic and geographical clusters that reflect our local realities:
Balancing Conflicts:
Barcelona, like many growing cities, struggles to balance urban development with the preservation of its natural resources. The Llobregat delta exemplifies this conflict, threatened by the expansion of the port and airport. The “Balancing Conflicts” cluster highlights the need for harmony between growth and sustainability, with Casa Gomis as the central venue and Cornellà, El Prat, and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat participating in this dialogue.
Cure and Care:
Collserola, Barcelona’s green lung, symbolizes the importance of both environmental and personal well-being. With the Monastery of Sant Cugat as its epicenter, the “Caring for and Caring about Ourselves” cluster explores the connection between culture, nature, and well-being, extending to Granollers, Sabadell, Terrassa, and Sant Cugat del Vallès.
Imagining Futures:
The Besòs, once an emblem of industrial Barcelona, is transforming into an opportunity for regeneration. The “Imagining Futures” cluster, with the Three Chimneys of Sant Adrià as its venue, envisions future possibilities grounded in inclusion and sustainability. Badalona, Mataró, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, and Sant Adrià de Besòs are key cities in this process of change.
Regarding the venues, Manifesta 15 will have a traveling venue that will change locations according to the needs of the events and projects, and a permanent venue at the Gustavo Gili building, which will host exhibitions, activities, and gatherings related to the biennial.
For more information, visit the Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana website.
____
APROPOS is content created in response to something happening in our artistic context. This time, in collaboration with Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana.
