United Visual Artists (UVA) has unveiled a groundbreaking audiovisual installation titled "Hidden Order" at Barcelona's iconic Casa Batlló. This monumental projection mapping, conceived by UVA founder Matt Clark, transforms the façade of Gaudí's architectural masterpiece into a dynamic canvas of light, motion, and sound, offered as a free public spectacle. Concurrently, an indoor exhibition, "Beyond the Facade," extends the project's conceptual framework into a newly inaugurated second-floor gallery space within Casa Batlló, bridging the exterior display with an intimate, reflective experience.
The "Hidden Order" projection mapping reimagines Casa Batlló's exterior through an intricate interplay of visual and auditory elements. Matt Clark's artistic vision interprets Gaudí's design as a living system, deeply rooted in geometric principles, natural laws, and a continuous state of flux. The title itself, "Hidden Order," pays homage to "L'ordre invisible" – the official slogan for Gaudí Year 2026 – emphasizing the idea that deeper structures and logical frameworks often underpin seemingly chaotic appearances. Clark's inspiration draws directly from Gaudí's philosophy, particularly the belief that "the straight line belongs to man, and the curve to God," highlighting a fascination with the unseen systems that sculpt our environment.
A crucial element intensifying this immersive experience is the live performance by choreographer and dance artist Fukiko Takase. Her movements are meticulously recorded using motion-capture technology, allowing her physical presence to become a generative force within the projection. Takase's body is multiplied and transformed into fluid visual structures that seem to organically emerge from the façade, establishing a profound feedback loop between the human form, the architectural structure, and the observing public. Her choreography was developed through direct engagement with Casa Batlló, responding to its unique curves, textures, and spatial rhythms, effectively treating the building as a collaborative partner in the artistic endeavor.
Complementing the visual spectacle, an original musical composition by Daniel J. Thibaut seamlessly weaves together image, movement, and architecture. Developed in close collaboration with Clark and Takase, Thibaut's score draws inspiration from geometric and natural patterns, evolving from subtle pulses to grand, expansive sequences. Sound is utilized not merely as an illustrative element, but as a structural component, allowing the façade to articulate its own auditory identity as light, motion, and audio synchronize over time, creating a holistic sensory experience.
The accompanying indoor exhibition, "Beyond the Facade," represents the official launch of Casa Batlló's contemporary art exhibition space. Conceived as an internal extension of "Hidden Order," this exhibition guides visitors on a thoughtful journey from natural light to simulated darkness, metaphorically tracing the rhythms of day and night, order and disorder. Through a curated collection of light studies, motion-based projections, and kinetic sculptures, the British artist deliberately slows the pace. Clark describes this indoor segment as "a more reflective counterpoint to the façade mapping," offering an opportunity for deeper contemplation of the underlying ideas and creative processes behind the entire project. A significant conceptual anchor for the exhibition is Ramon Llull, the 13th-century Majorcan philosopher whose diagrammatic systems aimed to unveil the world's hidden order through logic and geometry, thus linking Clark's contemporary practice to a long lineage of thinkers, including Gaudí, who perceived nature as an inherently intelligible system.
This initiative is part of Casa Batlló Contemporary, an ongoing institutional program dedicated to commissioning new artworks that engage with and expand upon Gaudí's enduring legacy. As Barcelona prepares to be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's passing and officially designated Gaudí Year 2026, projects like "Hidden Order" and "Beyond the Facade" underscore the timeless relevance of Gaudí's work. As Gary Gautier, General Director of Casa Batlló, notes, "We see the mapping as a gift to the city – an open moment of encounter with a living World Heritage site." María Bernat, Director of Casa Batlló Contemporary, further emphasizes this, stating, "Gaudí's work is already alive. Casa Batlló Contemporary exists to create the conditions for that legacy to continue expanding through contemporary artists, for the world of today." This fifth edition of Casa Batlló's annual mapping series continues its tradition of transforming the façade through innovative digital and generative art, having previously captivated over 110,000 spectators in 2025 alone. While UVA has created numerous permanent public artworks globally, "Hidden Order" marks their inaugural venture into projection mapping, solidifying Casa Batlló's role as a vibrant hub for artistic innovation and a guardian of Gaudí's living heritage.