Urban Talks & Disseny Hub Barcelona celebrate ten editions of dialogue and creative diversity

The 10th edition of Urban Talks transformed Disseny Hub Barcelona into a space for gathering and dialogue around territorial transformation, driven by key forces such as art, culture and creativity.

Throughout last Saturday’s event, artists, curators, cultural managers and creative collectives shared diverse experiences and perspectives across three conversations addressing key questions for understanding the relationship between artistic practices and the places we inhabit.

The first conversation, “(Im)balance of Cultural Practices in Public Space”, explored models for managing urban interventions in Barcelona, with contributions from Ana Manaia and Xavi Ballaz of B-Murals; visual artist Aleix Font; art historian and researcher Jaume Gómez; and Lara Ruiz Martí and Franziska Bach of La Clandestina de Poblenou.

The second conversation, “Transformations in the Territory Through Experience”, focused on how art and popular culture can help improve relationships with the territory and the communities that inhabit it. Participants included Julio Loaiza, artist and cultural manager; Diana Rangel, visual artist and psychologist; Gabriela Berti, philosopher, writer and independent curator; and Julio César Palacio, sound artist and composer.

The afternoon session, “Art Migrations in Barcelona’s Ecosystem”, gave a voice to artists whose practices emerge from different contexts and trajectories, reflecting on the challenges of entering the city’s art scene and finding a place within it. The conversation featured visual artists Valentina Alvarado Matos, Daniel Cao, Teresa Mulet and Natalia Carminati.

The event also featured a performance by the duo formed by Julio Loaiza and Cristian Real, in which sculptural works were brought to life, as well as a presentation of Julio Loaiza’s projects. Through his Macolla Creativa project, Loaiza shared his understanding of art and culture as tools for creation and transformation.

Curated and moderated by Jordi Pallarès, a curator, educator and researcher specialising in cultural mediation and contemporary artistic practices, the programme brought together diverse voices, disciplines and experiences to raise new questions, share ideas and foster connections between cultural professionals and the public.

At Poblenou Urban District, we would like to thank Disseny Hub Barcelona, all the participants and everyone who attended this edition for their commitment and active involvement throughout the sessions, which made possible a gathering full of exchanges and new perspectives.