An ephemeral experience around the work of Rubén Martín de Lucas
On January 16, Marquesa Gallery hosted The Paradox of Paradise, a special event linked to the work of Rubén Martín de Lucas. It was not an opening or a traditional exhibition, but an experience designed to exist only during an afternoon, with a different format and a more direct relationship between work, space and public.
To carry it out, we have the collaboration of Papartus, who gave his studio in Carabanchel to host the event. The space, usually dedicated to daily work, was completely transformed to become a meeting place and temporary artistic tour.
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A transformed space for the occasion
From the first moment, the public was met with an unusual atmosphere. The studio was practically dark, lit only by candles and by the projection of The Altar of Ideas, one of the projects of Rubén Martín de Lucas. The lack of artificial light forced us to walk through the space calmly, to stop and to pay attention to each stimulus.
The intention was not to impose a closed tour, but to generate a progressive experience, where the work was appearing little by little and each person could approach it from their own pace and curiosity.
The artist’s journey, revealed step by step
In the afternoon, the space changed. Gradually, spotlights were lit that illuminated, one by one, different projects of Rubén Martín de Lucas. Each lighting marked a new moment within the route and allowed to focus on a specific stage of his artistic career.
Rubén Martín de Lucas is a multidisciplinary artist, and that diversity was very present during the event. In the space they coexisted projects of painting, photography, audio and video, showing how the artist works with different languages and how these relate to each other over time. Far from offering a closed chronological reading, the experience allowed us to understand his work as a set of connected investigations.
A different format than a traditional exhibition
One of the most interesting aspects of Paradise Paradox was its format. It was not a permanent exhibition or a show that could be visited at any time. Everything was designed to happen at a specific time.
This type of proposal allows a different relationship with the work: without haste, without pre-established routes and without the pressure of “seeing everything”. The audience could stop at each project, listen, observe and comment, generating a closer and more participatory experience.
The ephemeral nature of the event was not a secondary element, but a fundamental part of the proposal. The Paradise paradox existed only for a few hours and then disappeared, leaving only the memory of those who were present and the visual records that now serve as an archive.
This temporary condition brought special value to the experience. Knowing that it would not be repeated generated a different, more concentrated and conscious attention. For those who were unable to attend, this article and images are the only way to get closer to what happened that afternoon.
A way to understand the work from Marquesa Gallery
From Marquesa Gallery we understand these encounters as a natural extension of our work with artists. Beyond conventional exhibitions, we are interested in generating contexts where the work can be activated in other ways and where the public has a direct and meaningful experience.
The Paradox of Paradise was an opportunity to present the work of Rubén Martín de Lucas from a different place, highlighting its trajectory and its diversity of languages, and exploring new ways of showing and sharing contemporary art.
These types of proposals are part of the line of work of the gallery, which seeks to combine artistic rigor, closeness and flexible formats that adapt to both artists and spaces and the public.