Architects: Manuel Bouzas, Santiago del Aguila
Area: 200 m²
Year: 2019
Photography: Antonio Bouzas Barcala
Collaborators: Clara Alvarez García, Alexander Zikanov
City: Palma
Country: Spain
“The Catenary and the Arc,” a temporary installation by Manuel Bouzas and Santiago del Aguila, was featured at the 2019 Insòlit festival in Palma de Mallorca. This innovative installation juxtaposed two contrasting geometries—the traditional stone arches of the Can Balaguer courtyard and light steel mesh catenaries. Curated by Aina Bigorra, Erik Herrera, and Pep Rovira, the festival aims to highlight the cultural heritage of the Balearic Islands through creative interventions in historic spaces. “The Catenary and the Arc” specifically explores the interplay of gravity, light, and mass, enhancing the courtyard’s architectural heritage by providing unique spatial and visual experiences that both contrast with and complement its historical context.
Installed in the Can Balaguer courtyard, a historic house designed by Flores y Prats, the project draws inspiration from the existing stone arches in the courtyard. The architects introduced a contrasting geometry, creating light steel mesh catenaries covered with acetates that emit warm light within the space.
The installation highlights the contrast between the two forms—the arc and the catenary. The arc resists gravity, embodies mass, and casts shade, while the catenary collaborates with gravity, achieves lightness, and projects color. The arc is opaque and rooted in the ground, while the catenary is translucent and suspended from above. The project creates a dialogue between these opposing elements, enhancing the spatial and visual dynamic of the historic courtyard.
The Catenary and the Arc invites visitors to experience the interplay of these contrasting forces, exploring how traditional and contemporary forms can coexist and complement each other within a shared space. The installation serves as both an homage to the architectural heritage of Can Balaguer and a creative reimagining of its possibilities.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 3 Carrer Unió, Centro District, 07001 Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
