Manifesta 15 in Barcelona: Blurring the Lines Between Art and Urban Life

The Three Chimneys. Photo © Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana | Arnau Rovira

Barcelona is a city where art has always been intertwined with everyday life, but with the arrival of Manifesta 15, this connection deepens. This contemporary art biennale steps out of traditional galleries and museums, spreading across several neighboring towns, blurring the boundaries between art, urban spaces, and the people who inhabit them.

Manifesta 15 stretches across 12 nearby cities, featuring the work of 92 participants, nearly half of whom are local residents or have been living in the region for some time. Over 50 new works have been commissioned for this event, highlighting the local context. This edition of the biennale aims to transcend Barcelona’s geographic, social, and economic borders, connecting with the five million people living in the metropolitan area. Drawing on the history of a region still scattered with remnants of long-abandoned industrial spaces, the biennale seeks to influence sustainable and equitable cultural change that reflects the diversity of local communities.

The main idea behind Manifesta 15 is the decentralization of art and its movement into spaces that often go unnoticed by both tourists and residents. Rather than focusing on a central hub, as is typical of large art events, Manifesta emphasizes broad geographical inclusion — not only within the city but also in its outskirts. Inspired by the local landscape, the project raises critical questions about urbanization, social inequality, and cultural differences.

Central to this biennale is the emphasis on engaging with diverse communities. Manifesta is not just an art exhibition — it’s a catalyst for cultural shifts, aiming to work for the benefit of local populations and actively involving them in the process. Art here isn’t something distant and passive; it’s integrated into the social and cultural fabric of the region.

This year, Manifesta 15 explores three thematic clusters:

1. Balancing Conflicts – Examines the tensions and conflicts embedded in the socio-political life of the city. This cluster demonstrates how art can serve as a platform for expressing different perspectives and fostering dialogue.

2. Cure and Care – Focuses on issues of care, healing, and their significance in contemporary society. It examines how art can help create new approaches to caring for both people and the environment.

3. Imagining Futures – Dedicated to rethinking the future and how art can help us reimagine our relationship with technology, nature, and ourselves.

By integrating art into real-world spaces, Manifesta 15 becomes much more than just a biennale. It is a cultural process that reflects the present and shapes the future of the region. Installations are situated in various locations, encouraging not only the appreciation of the works but also reflection on how they interact with the local environment. From former factories to monasteries, museums, and even natural spaces, these venues create a unique dialogue between art and place.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Manifesta 15 is how it redefines the relationship between art and public space. Instead of traditional galleries, the exhibitions and installations take place in locations such as Casa Gomis, an iconic modernist house, or La CIBA, a former industrial building that has been transformed into a cultural center. These spaces are vital to showcasing the festival’s main message: art should be accessible, engaging, and intertwined with its surroundings, regardless of its location.

Many of the events take place outside Barcelona, reinforcing the idea of breaking down the divide between the city and its neighboring areas. For example, Can Jonch. Cultural Centre and The See of Ègara offer unique contexts for art to interact with the local culture and history, encouraging viewers to not only observe the works but also consider how they fit into the local setting.

Instead of the traditional “art for art’s sake” approach, Manifesta 15 emphasizes cultural and social responsibility, offering a fresh perspective on how we interact with cities and their spaces. This project doesn’t just expand the geography of exhibitions — it invites us all to become part of the transformation process in the urban environment.

Venues of Manifesta 15:

1. Cal Quitèria

2. Can Jonch. Cultural Centre

3. Can Trinxet

4. Casa Gomis

5. Gustavo Gili

6. La Caldereria

7. La CIBA

8. La Porxada

9. M|A|C Prison

10. Monastery of Sant Cugat

11. Natural Science Museum

12. Roca Umbert. Fàbrica de les Arts

13. The See of Ègara

14. The Three Chimneys

15. Vapor Buxeda Vell

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Text: Salute–Team editorial.
⁠Photos: Photo © Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana | Arnau Rovira