LLum Festival - UNDERLIGHT

As part of IAAC | Fab Lab Barcelona, I participated in the development of UNDERLIGHT, an installation presented at the fifteenth edition of Llum Barcelona. The project transformed a small square in Poblenou into a speculative construction site, inviting the public to look beyond light as spectacle and instead reflect on the hidden infrastructures that sustain urban life.

Developed within the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia the installation was curated by Mario Santamaría and produced collectively. Working on this project was an intense and rewarding experience that pushed me to think about the city not as a finished object but as a living system supported by layers of energy, labour, and maintenance.

Installed at Carrer de Castella in Poblenou, UNDERLIGHT staged a simulated inspection of underground networks through barriers, signage, and what appeared to be a live robotic feed moving through pipes below the plaza. The deliberate ambiguity encouraged visitors to shift from passive observers to active participants, temporarily stepping into the role of urban maintenance workers.

Being part of this process was incredibly valuable. Beyond the technical and design challenges, the project strengthened my understanding of collaborative production, public engagement, and the political dimensions of infrastructure. Contributing to a real installation within the urban fabric of Barcelona made the experience especially meaningful and memorable.