ADN FÓRUM‘s Bold Return to Plaza de Colón
From September 24 to 27, Plaza de Colón in Madrid underwent a striking transformation with pink shipping containers. The fourth edition of ADN FÓRUM painted the renowned square in vivid pink, serving as the backdrop for an eclectic mix of art, design, and temporary architecture. Nestled between the elegant Salamanca district and the city’s bustling Golden Mile, this free event brought the pulse of creativity to the urban heart of Madrid.
Organized by Asociación ADN FÓRUM and led by Gabriel Castillo Admadé, the forum is more than just a showcase. It pairs renowned brands with innovative artists, architects, and designers, turning public spaces into immersive landscapes. Supported by initiatives like Todo está en Madrid and Madrid Capital de Moda, along with the Municipal District of Salamanca, this year’s forum explored the concept of a ‘dry port’—a vivid, pink invitation to experience art differently.
Inside the Pink Shipping Containers: An Array of Collaborations
One standout installation, “Siempre tuyo, el Universo,” emerged from Tarkett’s collaboration with creative studio Somos Carne. This interactive piece invites visitors to reflect on humans’ origins. Nearby, Catalan studio HOC, together with Pinturas Valentine, presented a vibrant spatial intervention. A culinary twist was provided by Marta Lapeña, who melded painting and design in her work with WMF.
Further on, a unique scenography by Luz Moreno, supported by Sub-Zero & Wolf and Bulthaup, incorporated botanical textures. Neolith and Alba de la Fuente presented “SHIFT,” an architectural object that evolves before your eyes. Geberit, in partnership with Brollo Baldo Studio, debuted with a form-focused immersive experience situated within the pink shipping containers.
Exploring Inspirations: From Drawings to Iconic Designs
The journey from sketches to reality was highlighted by Revista Interiores’ collaboration with Sergio Mora. It revealed the meticulous process behind ceramic murals created for Philippe Starck and Bruno Borrione’s Miami restaurant, Bazaar Mar.
Adding to the creative roster, Maserati is set to celebrate its centenary by showcasing its Trident emblem’s history. Alongside interactive performances by George Parra, the famed automaker offered test drives of the Grecale model along Calle Serrano, blending art and automotive elegance in Madrid’s iconic avenue displayed attractively within pink shipping containers.
Culinary and Sensory Experiences Enrich the Forum
ADN FÓRUM’s scope extended beyond visual art. Panama returned as the Guest Country of Honor, presenting the “Ventanas al Origen” pavilion. This installation highlighted the country’s biodiverse landscapes through stunning photography and sensory elements, like Panamanian Geisha coffee and a unique fragrance by Vila Hermanos.
The ADN FÓRUM Café, reimagined as Le Pavillon, provided a chic nod to French design, showcasing architectural elements by Fabián Ñíguez. Visitors savored gourmet offerings like Panamanian coffee and matcha pastries amidst the charming Cupa Stone and Tarkett interiors.
Public Space as an Open-Air Exhibition
This urban exhibition invited free movement between projects, providing an open invitation for visitors to explore and engage with creative reinterpretations of everyday materials.
The event’s open-air layout encouraged guests to wander, connect, and participate actively in the dialogue between art and architecture.
Plaza de Colón became a vibrant meeting point, offering a kaleidoscope of color and creativity, proving that immersive design can beautifully disrupt the everyday cityscape using pink shipping containers.
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Shaping Identity Through Color and Material
The forum’s diverse installations experimental with vibrant colors and materials, each piece a distinct yet connected component of this temporary urban transformation.
Artists and designers invited visitors to view familiar materials through a new lens, using site-specific installations to challenge perceptions creatively positioned within the pink shipping containers.
ADN FÓRUM, located in Madrid, serves as a vivid celebration of artistic synergy, transforming the plaza into a dynamic, cultural epicenter.
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Project info:
name: ADN FÓRUM | @adnforum
location: Madrid, Spain
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What transformation did Plaza de Colón undergo?
From September 24 to 27, Plaza de Colón in Madrid underwent a striking transformation with pink shipping containers as part of the ADN FÓRUM event. This vibrant makeover turned the area into an eclectic mix of art, design, and temporary architecture.
What was the central theme of this year’s ADN FÓRUM?
This year’s ADN FÓRUM explored the concept of a ‘dry port,’ inviting visitors to experience art differently through vivid, pink shipping containers that served as immersive landscapes.
How did Maserati participate in the ADN FÓRUM?
Maserati celebrated its centenary by showcasing the history of its Trident emblem within the pink shipping containers. The automaker also offered test drives of the Grecale model along Calle Serrano, blending art and automotive elegance.