Manifesta 15: Barcelona

Manifesta, the European Nomadic Biennial, redefines art, culture, and society every two years, with each edition hosted by a different city. Originating in the early 1990s as a response to post-Cold War realities, it has become one of the most influential biennials globally, known for its nomadic nature and its exploration of Europe’s cultural and socio-political landscape.

Manifesta 15, the largest edition to date, unfolds across 12 cities in the Barcelona metropolitan region, spanning 3,000 square kilometers and engaging over 5 million people. This edition responds to urgent issues like gentrification, industrial land use, and geographic limitations, shifting cultural focus from central Barcelona to its outskirts, fostering connections across social and artistic communities.

Manifesta emphasizes deep collaboration with local communities, international artists, and cultural producers, creating site-specific projects that reflect the unique contexts of each host city. The pre-biennial phase, guided by the Manifesta 15 Team, focused on themes like Balancing Conflicts, Cure and Care, and Imagining Futures, linked to key locations such as the Llobregat Delta, the Collserola Mountain Range, and the Besòs River.

Over 30 years, Manifesta has maintained its commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability, evolving its model to engage communities directly. Manifesta 15 continues this legacy, offering a platform for artistic experimentation and transformative action, addressing Europe’s complex challenges today.

8 Sep — 24 Nov, 2024