Mallorca – Art Capital of The Mediterranean
Steeped in a long and rich cultural history, Mallorca boasts an artistic offering of the highest calibre comparable to the big European scene. The island has been home to renowned artists such as Joan Miró and Miquel Barceló and has garnered the attention of many other acclaimed creatives. Its variety of museums, art galleries and intimate artist studios have firmly established the island as the cultural capital of the Mediterranean.
The Nit de l'Art leads the opening of the artistic season on the island and is a much-awaited event by local and international audiences alike. Taking place on the 23rd of September, this annual evening event opens the door to the top galleries across the city of Palma so that everyone can explore the best of what the island has to offer.
'The word of what's going on in Mallorca is spreading. The Nit de l'Art is garnering more and more international recognition as a special weekend in Mallorca. I think more people will start flying every year for the weekend of the arts.' – Drew Aaron, Gallery RED
From mixed collections to solo exhibitions, the streets of Palma's historic quarter transform into a celebration of the island's artistic talent. Art lovers, artists, gallerists, curators, and collectors, come together to immerse themselves into the most sought-after contemporary and emerging artists.
'There is this artistic buzz on the island that is palpable. Mallorca is also becoming a very attractive centre internationally with very interesting people coming to the island.' – BARÓ Galería
We Talked to The Tastemakers...
Ahead of this 27th edition of the Nit de l'Art, we talked to the top tastemakers in the industry today for insight into what to expect from this year's offering:
Galería Pelaires
With over 50 years of history, Frederic Pinya is inextricably entangled with Mallorca's social and cultural scene. 'Pelaires is part of the history of the island. Its roots have had a firm pulse on the artistic production of the island for over 54 years now', tells us Frederic Pinya, director of the gallery and son of its founder Pep Pinya.
This is reflected in the gallery's dual commitment to past and present artistic production. 'Pelaires always looks to the future and to the past. I think the artists of the past are an important reference point and we should not try to abolish them but should move forwards with them hand in hand', discusses Pinya. 'Our objective is to accommodate them in a program that, although contemporary in its scope, can cast a productive look to the past. I think this duality is very interesting in our work.’
For the Nit de l'Art, the gallery will feature three solo exhibitions by local and international artists Oliver Osborne, Inês Zenha, and Diego Delas, as a statement to the endurance of painting as an artistic mode of expression. 'It’s a very rich program where we bet once again on painting', reveals Pinya. 'Galería Pelaires has always supported painting as a form, and we continue to do so in this 27th edition of the Nit de l'Art.'
Gallery RED
Owned by top collector and serial entrepreneur Drew Aaron, GALLERY RED is the first international gallery to set foot on the island. The gallery boasts a mix of the most sought-after contemporary and emerging artists and has quickly established itself as the hottest spot in the Mallorcan art scene.
With works by artists such as Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol and top global, emerging artists, Gallery RED goes beyond the traditional exhibition space and has embarked on curatorial projects in the most exclusive spaces.
'The word of what's going on in Mallorca is spreading', shares with enthusiasm Aaron. 'The Nit de l'Art is garnering more and more international recognition as a special weekend in Mallorca. I think more people will start flying every year for the weekend of the arts.'
'What's in store for the island? The best and biggest Nit de l'Art ever!', exclaims the collector. ‘All of the different many amazing galleries on the island will be putting together a great show, each very different from another, but each equally magical!’
Gallery RED will be exhibiting Max Patté's solo show 'Aftersun' and will have 5 additional spaces open during the Nit de l'Art, all of which are located in Gallery RED Square, in what promises to be an electrifying gathering.
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NEUTRO Art
One of the most recent galleries opening its doors on the island, Neutro Art Gallery offers several artistic and multidisciplinary spaces across the island and is already on its way to becoming the largest private capital exhibition centre in the country. They currently offer two spaces, NEUTRO ART TEMPLO in Palma and NEUTRO ART HARBOUR in Port Adriano, and are preparing for their third opening: NEUTRO ART PALACE which promises to be their most ambitious project to date.
Rather than conform to the conventional exhibition, they go a step further and push the conceptual boundaries of what a gallery can be. 'We like to take steps, move ahead; try to take risks, even if we make mistakes', curator and artist Joaquín Zapata tells us. 'We have no problem trying to be daring, to innovate and create new things.'
Their current exhibition Project_0 is a testament to that. Alongside artists of the calibre of Jacob Vilató , Tolo Albertí, Miguel Monegal and Domingo Zapata, NEUTRO Art launches one of its most daring projects: Pablo AI – the gallery's very own artificial intelligence artist.
'In my opinion, if Picasso were alive today, he would work with artificial intelligence', exclaims Zapata. 'I'm sure of it'. Pablo AI is part of the gallery's work to legitimise artificial intelligence as a mode of artistic expression and their commitment to experimentation and taking risks. 'We are pioneers in this aspect', Zapata says in reference to the market on the island.
When asked about what we can expect from them on the Nit de l'Art, the curator confesses: 'We can't reveal anything yet. All we can say is that it will definitely be something different and risky.'
BARÓ Galeria
Already an established point of reference in Sao Paulo, Baró Galeria opened its doors on the island in 2021 and constitutes an important space that shines a light on the connections between Europe and Latin America.
'Geographically located in the southern region of Europe, Mallorca forms an interesting and unexpected extension to our focus on the Global South. It provides a new focus on areas that haven't historically garnered the same interest', says a gallery representative. 'There is something really interesting and generative about this lack of attention. Creation is much freer, less dictated by academic standards. Obviously, there is rigour and very deep work in terms of artistic conceptualisation, but there is much more freedom and sense of abandon.'
This, they say, is a very exciting moment in Mallorca. 'There is this artistic buzz on the island that is palpable. Mallorca is also becoming a very attractive centre internationally with very interesting people coming to the island.'
For the Nit de l'Art, BARÓ are preparing a solo exhibition by local artist Susy Gómez. 'We always try to showcase a local artist and bring attention to the talent on the island. This year we want to highlight the work of Susy Gómez with a solo exhibition titled Campos penetrables.'
At The Intersection of Art and Luxury Living
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Luxury Digital Marketer & Social Media Manager | Distinction Driven Content for Discerning Brands
1yDelighted to have had the pleasure to interview these galleries at the top of their game! Their unique and individual perspectives offer such a nuanced insight into Mallorca’s incredibly rich art scene. Definitely excited for this year’s Nit de l’Art 👏🏻