RAÍCES AFUERA. PERFORMANCE CYCLE X ART MADRID'25

Art Madrid celebrates twenty years of contemporary art from March 5 to 9, 2025, at the Galería de Cristal of the Palacio de Cibeles. During Art Week, it becomes an exhibition platform for national and international galleries and artists. In this edition, with the aim of providing a space for artists working in the realm of performance art, the fair presents Raíces Afuera, a performance cycle that explores notions of belonging and the need for rootedness in a contemporary world marked by fragmentation, displacement, and disconnection. Positioned within the fair as a critical and reflective space, the project challenges the individual’s relationship with their environment, community, and sense of identity.

PERFORMANCE: ESE ENTORNO ENDURECE MI PIEL. BY RA ASENSI

March 8 | 19:00h. Galería de Cristal of the Palacio de Cibeles.

Asfáltica Ciudad. Ra Asensi. Photograpy Irene Zottola.

Ese entorno endurece mi piel is a performance that takes place through sculptural pieces made of oxidized corten steel and seawater. These bodily extensions function as second skins. They are activated through touch, generating sounds. Together, they form a kind of poetic cartography. These pieces have been created from the imprints of various watery bodies, and through this process, they transform into maps of water.

"Life began in the sea, and our bodies have been engaged in various narratives about this origin story ever since. I am not interested in narratives that place 'the family' in its traditional role, but the ones about kinship in all its wonderful queer forms are still something I seek. That is the difficulty: to embrace queer narratives as a territory of connection and responsibility without reinstalling the old myths of dark continents, woman as matrix, and other power games of familial bonds." Astrida Neimanis

Ra Asensi. Performance documentation.

ABOUT RA ASENSI

Ra Asensi (Bilbao, 1989) creates artifacts as ways of (ex)tending the material limits of the body. This production is influenced by ceramics and its processes, performance art, photography, and sculpture.

Notable solo exhibitions include Objeto Inquieto at Fundación Bilbaoarte Fundazioa, Inadaptada Resistencia at Centro Cultural Montehermoso, and La lava que llevas contigo at TACA (Palma de Mallorca).

Ra Asensi’s work focuses on the creation of artifacts as a means to expand the material boundaries of the body and initiate collaborative processes. Their production is influenced by ceramics and its techniques, performance art, photography, and sculpture. Through their practice, they explore the relationships between body(s), technology(s), and nature(s), investigating how these elements interact and transform in different contexts.

Their works, interventions, and actions take place in various environments: Galería Fran Reus, 2024 (Palma de Mallorca); Art House Foundation Studio D, 2024 (London); 019-Ghent, 2024 (Ghent); Tabakalera, 2024 (Donosti); Colonia Industrial Cal Rosal, 2024 (Berga, Catalunya); Festival Mercurio/Instituto Cervantes, 2023 (Palermo); ECOS, 2023 (Sala Rekalde, Bilbao); BAP, 2022 (Guggenheim Museum Bilbao).

Are you a contemporary art gallery and would like to participate in Art Madrid'26? The application period is now open!

The 21st edition of Art Madrid opens its application period. From March 4 to 8, 2026, the Galería de Cristal del Palacio de Cibeles will once again be the meeting point for national and international contemporary art. If you are a contemporary art gallery, this is your chance to be part of one of the most consolidated fairs in the Spanish circuit. The deadline for applications will be open until October 17, 2025.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

The Art Madrid contemporary art fair has been taking place during the capital's Art Week for more than twenty years. Art Madrid is a multidisciplinary fair of new artistic trends with the participation of about 40 national and international galleries that work with painting, sculpture, graphic work, photography, installation and digital art of recent production.

Aimed at both a broad and specialized audience, the fair combines a carefully curated artistic selection with a strong commitment to the professionalization of the sector and the visibility of gallery work. In addition to its gallery program, Art Madrid also develops a parallel program of activities throughout the month of February, promoting dissemination, reflection, and dialogue among cultural agents, collectors, and new audiences.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

A key mission: to connect art with society

The fair's main mission is to bring contemporary art closer to the general and specialized public, creating an inclusive platform that promotes artistic talent, encourages collecting and strengthens the gallery ecosystem. The objective is clear: to disseminate art within and beyond our borders, generate new audiences and give visibility to young talents.

Art Madrid is a key event for the promotion and commercialization of both national and international contemporary art, placing the city in the spotlight during Art Week. At the same time, it remains committed to fostering a space for reflection and learning.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

PROGRAMS

GALLERY PROGRAM

In each edition, the Gallery Program of Art Madrid brings together about 40 exhibitors, both national and international, who present proposals focused on recently created contemporary artworks.

COLLECTOR’S PROGRAM

Art Madrid offers a specialized advisory service for galleries and the general public interested in acquiring artworks.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

PATRONAGE PROGRAM

Art Madrid develops a patronage program as part of its commitment to artistic creation and the promotion of collecting. Through different categories of awards, the fair contributes to the professional development of artists while encouraging the incorporation of contemporary works into prominent private collections. This program is made possible thanks to the commitment of collaborating entities, collectors, and private companies who, through their support, actively contribute to strengthening the cultural ecosystem and consolidating new forms of patronage.

ACQUISITION AWARD

Art Madrid joins forces with institutions and companies to support artistic creation and gallery work at the fair through the presentation of several awards.

EMERGING ARTIST AWARD

Our sponsors, as part of their commitment to promoting contemporary art, will provide an award to one of the emerging artists participating in the fair.

RESIDENCY AWARD

An award that will be given to one of the participating artists in this edition, intended for carrying out an artist residency.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

PARALLEL PROGRAM

The Parallel Program of Art Madrid serves as a platform for analysis, research, and critical thinking around contemporary issues. This line of programming incorporates cross-cutting discourses and interdisciplinary approaches that make it possible to address current challenges through artistic practice, curating, and cultural production.

ACTIVITIES

The program for Art Madrid’26 will include a series of activities taking place throughout the month of February and during Madrid Art Week at the Galería de Cristal of the Palacio de Cibeles. In this edition, in addition to the pre-fair activities, the third edition of Open Booth, the Performance Cycle, the program Lecturas: Curated Walkthroughs by Art Madrid, and the Interview Program will all be continued.

Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

A comprehensive communication ecosystem

With an audience of more than 110 million impacts in its last campaign, Art Madrid deploys a 360 strategy that includes traditional and digital media, social networks (with more than 113K followers), newsletter, and a 360 virtual tour. The fair is also committed to its own content with interviews, articles and curated tours accessible on its blog and digital platforms.

A key event in Madrid's cultural agenda

With an average visitor age between 35 and 54 years, 60% women, and 40% new collectors, Art Madrid establishes itself as a diverse, inclusive fair aligned with the interests of the contemporary audience.

[Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

Our commitment to art and culture extends throughout the year. We strive to broaden access for new audiences and foster interest in art and culture across all social sectors. We also aim to promote and give visibility to artists, with a special focus on emerging talent. We view art and culture as essential pillars of social development, and through our event, we work to create accessible, dynamic spaces that foster communication and cultural expression.

[Art Madrid '25. Contemporary Art Fair. 20th Edition, 2025. Photo by Lucas Amillano.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Applications for participation in the 21st edition of Art Madrid may be submitted to the following email address: info@art-madrid.com until October 17, 2025.