In the pre-biennial phase, starting over a year before the biennial officially opens, the selected participants investigated specific thematic components in the three interconnected nodes identified by the Manifesta 15 team: along the Besòs river, the Llobregat delta and in the Collserola mountain range.

These investigations, in close collaboration with local experts and communities, introduced new and alternative ways of calling attention to the climate crisis and identified certain ecological and social transformations needed in the region.

This phase, which in Manifesta’s past three editions has been led by an Urbanist or a Creative Mediator, was instead led by a diverse group of individual or collective researchers. These participants are interdisciplinary and work within the fields of art, science, law, architecture, human rights, activism and pedagogy.

The team successfully worked with New York based Spanish architect and arts administrator Sergio Pardo who analysed the history of the territory and together with local key stakeholders, identified social and geographical crossroad or nodes where Manifesta 15 conducted its research.

In addition, four participants were invited to focus on a special research project that explores the Catalan educational renewal movements. These projects by INLAND, the collective Massa Salvatge, Anaïs Florin and Diversorium aim to shed light on how these historical movements have contributed to societal changes and what they can teach us today.

The pre-biennial research participants of Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana are the following:

Check out our YouTube channel to meet Manifesta 15’s pre-biennial research participants and their innovative approaches.