A digital bloom

A digital bloom

Casa Batlló in Barcelona will host its annual façade mapping event on February 1st and 2nd, 2025, with Italian artist Quayola presenting a new immersive projection titled Arborescent. This projection, part of the Heritage of Tomorrow artistic program, will transform the building’s iconic façade into a dynamic digital forest. Quayola, known for blending classical art with digital technology, draws inspiration from nature, much like the building’s creator, Antoni Gaudí. His work will integrate digital simulations of trees and branches, responding to the architectural elements of Casa Batlló with movements that mimic wind.

The event continues Casa Batlló’s tradition of collaborating with cutting-edge artists, following previous projects by Refik Anadol in 2023 and Sofía Crespo in 2024. Quayola’s projections will feature vibrant colors and minimalist visualizations, creating a harmonious dialogue between Gaudí’s organic architecture and the artist’s digital creations. Accompanying the visuals will be an original soundtrack composed by Quayola himself, enhancing the immersive experience.

Gary Gautier, CEO of Casa Batlló, highlighted the natural synergy between Quayola’s artistic approach and Gaudí’s work, describing the artist’s ability to decode natural forms with a unique perspective. Quayola, who has worked with institutions like the V&A Museum and the National Art Center in Tokyo, expressed his excitement about the project. He emphasized the significance of collaborating with such a historic symbol, stating that Gaudí’s work is a powerful reminder of nature’s boundless artistic potential.

The projections will be shown every half hour from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm over the two nights, offering a stunning visual spectacle that has drawn large audiences in previous years. As part of the event, Quayola has also developed a limited edition product line, available at the Simbòlic Casa Batlló Store. The event is in partnership with Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), a global leader in audiovisual technology.

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Images and video courtesy of QUAYOLA and CASA BATLLÓ

ISSUE 5

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