Ses12naus Celebrates Ten Years with New Art Projects
What Is Ses12naus?
Ses12naus started in September 2016 when Ángeles Ferragut and Simon Southwood placed the first stone on a farm in Santa Eulària. It began as a twice‑a‑year artist residency program. In 2022 the group became a foundation and opened a creative space called La Carpintería in the Can Bufi industrial estate. After ten years, the foundation is launching fresh programs to keep the momentum going.
New Programs for the Anniversary
Ses12naus Weekend
This annual program mixes exhibitions, talks, performances, and presentations. The first edition takes place this Saturday and invites artists, curators, locals, and visitors to share ideas about contemporary creation.
Santa Gertrudis Commission
A bigger, long‑term project that will start in 2027. Every three years an internationally known artist will create a site‑specific work on a 2,100 m² plot behind the church of Santa Gertrudis. After three years the commission will move to another spot on the island, encouraging a dialogue between public art and the community.
Kick‑off Event: Talk with Superflex
At 11 a.m. at the Ocean Drive Talamanca hotel, Ángeles Ferragut and Rasmus Rosengren Nielsen (from the Danish collective Superflex) will discuss the new commission. Elise Lammer, a curator and researcher, will moderate the conversation.
Afternoon Celebration in Santa Gertrudis
Starting at 7:30 p.m., the town will host:
- An exhibition by the local “gang” (a group of community artists).
- A short talk by the foundation’s director.
- A performance by Superflex.
- A closing act featuring Mallorcan dancer Mar Aguiló and sound creator Nono.
Exhibitions at La Carpintería
‘Something for an Island 02’
The Iranian designer Sina Sohrab presents his project ‘CAL’ (common, adaptable, light). He studied how buildings on Ibiza are often built in an improvised way and created a simple construction system using rigid pieces, textile, and braided metal cables. With this system he made benches, backrests, parasols, and tables. Visitors can see the designs, photos of the research process, and join workshops to design their own furniture.
Open Call 2025/2026 Residency Programs
Three artists showcase their work:
- Gala Knörr – ‘Soft is the night’ – canvases inspired by the legendary KU nightclub, exploring community feelings from club culture.
- Marina Marón – ‘Inside the forest’ – a walkable installation that mimics traditional Ibizan houses with wide walls, small windows, and towel‑cloth walls, plus small sculptures.
- Diogo da Cruz – works that connect humans with water and the ocean, including a sculpture series of hedgehog, salicornia, and diatoms, and a video titled ‘Would you still love me if I were a rock?’ set in the Ses Salines Natural Park, narrated by Ibicencan poet Eve Tur.
How to Join
All Ses12naus Weekend activities are free, but you need to register in advance. Sign‑up details are available on the foundation’s website.
Looking Ahead
Ferragut hopes the Santa Gertrudis Commission will spark conversations between art and everyday life on Ibiza. By moving the commission around the island every few years, more neighborhoods will get to experience large‑scale public art projects.
Conclusion
Ten years after its first stone, Ses12naus is evolving from a modest residency into a vibrant foundation that brings international artists to Ibiza while involving the local community. The new Ses12naus Weekend and the upcoming Santa Gertrudis Commission show a commitment to long‑term, meaningful art that grows with the island itself.
Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es