The ninth edition of UVNT Art Fair, to be held from 6 to 9 March at Plaza de Matadero, is bigger and more ambitious than ever. This year, the contemporary art fair is once again part of Madrid Art Week, occupying a tent 10 metres high and 3,000 square metres in size. With the participation of 44 galleries, the fair not only reaffirms its commitment to the emerging art scene, but also marks a milestone with the inclusion of a curated programme entitled FOCO LATAM, a space that gives visibility to Latin American artists.
However, UVNT Art Fair does not stop at the walls of the tent. For the second consecutive year, Lexus becomes an official sponsor of its Public Art Programme, taking art beyond the traditional confines of the galleries and directly to the streets of Madrid. From 24 February, the people of Madrid can enjoy the striking installations of Agustín Esteso and Adrián Castañeda, who have transformed Plaza de Pedro Zerolo and Glorieta de Embajadores, respectively, into spaces where art merges with the urban environment.
Matadero Square: The meeting point for public and digital art
If the fair’s marquee is the epicentre of physical art, the Matadero Square becomes a neuralgic point for digital art. This year, the Digital Art Programme, presented in collaboration with CREATE, the innovative Spanish brand of designer electrical appliances, goes beyond the limits of the physical to connect art with the modernity of technology. Thanks to JCDecaux, digital canopies around Madrid will host the works of five emerging artists: Volcia, Sophie Koko, Jackasswedge, Gabriel Massan and Bora. The images that will adorn the capital explore the concept of dissident corporeality, challenging normative canons and showing the multiplicity of identities through languages such as animation, video games and pop art.
In addition, for the first time, the works of these artists will be exhibited within the fair itself on CREATE Art Matte screens, bringing digital art into a physical space at the heart of UVNT Art Fair, thus merging the physical and digital worlds in an unprecedented way.
Public Art Programme
The works in the Lexus Public Art Programme are not just about aesthetics; they are also a commentary on urban spaces and social interaction. Adrián Castañeda (represented by SHANKAY gallery) transforms the pedestrian fences of Glorieta de Embajadores into a symbol of resistance and connection. His piece, entitled ‘Keep Calm’ (2025), questions the use of these urban elements, resignifying them as resting chairs, inviting passers-by to pause and enjoy the city in a more reflective and leisurely way. Public space, usually perceived as a transit area, becomes a place of resistance and shared enjoyment, where art becomes an agent of change.
For his part, Agustín Esteso, with his work ‘Big Peanut’ (2024) in the Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, brings with him a monumental forged steel totem, a three-module piece that fuses the tradition of ironwork with the modernity of contemporary art. His work, inspired by the cacau, connects with his Valencian roots and turns the public space into a place of reflection on craftsmanship and the beauty of the imperfect.
Finally, Lara Ruiz, who will be present in the Gabinete de Dibujos, transforms the Plaza del Matadero with her piece ‘CDC Matadero’ (2025). Her installation of PVC-O pipes creates a sculpture that invites visitors to interact with the space, defy the rules and enjoy art as a sensorial experience that breaks with conventional structures. A piece that, in collaboration with Molecor, vindicates sculpture and volume as an act of resistance and strength.
Digital Art Programme
The Digital Art Programme, which gives voice to young artists such as Volcia, Sophie Koko, Jackasswedge, Gabriel Massan and Bora, explores the concept of ‘dissident corporeality’. These artists challenge concepts of identity, gender and the body through a digital aesthetic that breaks away from traditional moulds. Digital marquees distributed throughout the city will showcase their creations, bringing digital art to a mass, decentralised audience.
In a year marked by the convergence of the physical and the digital, CREATE has opened the doors to a new chapter in contemporary art, where technological platforms allow for a more fluid interaction between the viewer and the work. The selected digital artists use animation, social media and video games as vehicles to create narratives that explore the boundaries of the body and fluid identities.
UVNT Art Fair, with the support of brands such as Lexus and CREATE, has established itself as one of the most important events on Madrid’s art calendar, taking contemporary art out of the galleries and directly onto the streets, public spaces and digital platforms. With a diversified offer that includes everything from public art to digital proposals, the fair not only offers a window on the present, but also challenges conventions about what art is and who has access to it.
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