Manifesta purposely strives to keep its distance from what are often seen as the dominant centres of artistic production, instead seeking fresh and fertile terrain for the mapping of a new cultural topography.
Manifesta 15 Barcelona took place in Barcelona and 11 surrounding cities ot its metropolitan region.
On the occasion of Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana, the iconic Three Chimneys of Sant Adrià de Besòs were opened to the public for the first time, transforming the industrial heritage site into a vibrant space for artistic and social engagement. As the central venue for Manifesta 15’s Programme, the Three Chimneys hosted thought-provoking installations addressing the pressing themes of eco-social transition. This reimagining of the historic site was achieved with the collaboration of local and international partners, highlighting the transformative potential of art to engage with urgent global issues.
Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana took on the challenge of expanding from one single Host City to an extended regional scale of more than 5 million inhabitants. The ambition of the 15th edition was to develop a decentralised and collaborative approach to knowledge production and cultural programming in alternative venues in the metropolitan region. This edition reimagined the role of an international biennial in an era defined by ecological and social transformation.
Unfolding across 16 remarkable venues that channel the past, present and future of a more eco-social Barcelona and 11 cities in the metropolitan region: Badalona, Cornellà de Llobregat, El Prat de Llobregat, Granollers, L’Hospitalet, Mataró, Sabadell, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Terrassa.
Manifesta 15 was organised in three clusters, which are both thematic and geographic: Balancing Conflicts (Llobregat Delta), Cure and Care (Collserola massif towards Vallès) and Imagining Futures (Besòs River and its surroundings).
Visit the Manifesta 15 website for more information.
Casa Gomis, also known as La Ricarda, served as a striking venue for Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana, embodying the harmony of modernist architecture and natural landscapes. Its unique setting hosted site-specific installations and performances and workshops, fostering dialogue on heritage, creativity and the theme of “Balancing Conflicts” due its proximity to the airport of Barcelona. The debate around the extension of the airport was prominently accentuated by Manifesta 15’s inclusion of the venue.
Manifesta 15 succeeded in moving beyond the traditional confines of a contemporary art biennial, exploring how artistic activism and citizen involvement can engage with a large and diverse audience, becoming instrumental for eco-social transformations. This was exemplified through participatory projects by contributors such as Embassy of the North Sea, Lara Schnitger and Binta Diaw.
This edition served as a provocation or an invitation for people to step outside their urban comfort zones and recognise their proximity to, and the transformative power of, culture as a catalyst for change. It encouraged individuals to uncover their varied (and untold) histories and critically reflect on the futures of their cities and metropolitan regions. By fostering dialogue and collective experiences, it inspired communities to reimagine their relationship with urban spaces and consider more inclusive and sustainable ways of living.
Large-scale urban initiatives, including the Manifesta 15 Bicicletada, attracted over 700 participants who cycled between the two rivers flanking Barcelona. This initiative opened up the industrial port, fostering a renewed sense of connection between inhabitants and the city’s natural boundaries.