The world-renowned and famously trailblazing BLOOP International Proactive Art Festival in Ibiza, Spain closed this year’s event with an energetic intervention completed by Mexican street artist Spaik. His work, titled “Somnolencia (Sleepiness)” pays tribute to this year’s theme of HOPE, in “[spotlighting] that dreaming for HOPE is what drives us to live,” according to a recent statement released by BLOOP Festival officials.
In spite of its title, Spaik’s latest mural seems anything but drowsy. Instead, it opts to portray the vividly colorful potential of our dream worlds, where fanciful creatures can dance upon the backdrops of our wildest fantasies. The statement elaborates that “this haven of imaginary beings, a dragon, a cheetah, birds, fish and other creatures, embodies the infinite possibilities of dreams and hope.” “Somnolencia” stays true to Spaik’s unmistakable style, which tells its stories through Latin American folklore depicted in a bold variety of colors. Such imagery makes itself evident in the winding dragon at the center of “Somnolencia” but truly shines in the details. Sugar skulls dot the background as hot-air balloons and the sun wears a jovial Latin American mask. Spaik’s work finds familiarity in the realm of the impossible, and his long history exploring it lends itself particularly well to his intentions for this project.
This year marks the artist’s third appearance creating at BLOOP Festival. The festival release notes, “he works mainly in Mexico, but has also done murals in other countries like Belgium, France, England, Colombia and Guatemala.” Spaik’s European endeavors have proven his competency for completing works on unusual surfaces, including tunnels for two previous editions of BLOOP and a set of stairs in Portugal more recently, last September. For this year’s festival, Spaik painted “Somnolencia” upon the white facade of a school, a location whose innocent and nurturing nature only serves to emphasize the notion of hope for the future.
BLOOP International Proactive Art Festival is one of the first urban art festivals of its kind. Since its original inception in 2011, this “avant-garde project by Biokip Labs” has sought to adorn the island of Ibiza with the works of established international artists. Artists flock from across the globe to partake in this event, and this edition of BLOOP Festival hosted famous muralists from Said Dokins, Pineapple Crocodile and KAWA, to SpY, and INO. Founded upon the principle that “ART IS FOR EVERYBODY” attendees can enjoy the spectacles presented by BLOOP for free. The festival’s website explains that it holds greater purpose to “encourage a general public to reflect on current social issues through breathtaking art that is understandable for everybody.”
At this tumultuous chapter in our society’s history, the message of HOPE proves more pertinent than ever. Multiple concerns seem to be reaching their climactic culmination, and discerning the appropriate next steps toward a greater solution can feel daunting, almost futile. As a society, we must remember that on the other side of these obstacles lies a brighter future for everyone. We simply need to nurture our dreams for this better world, as they will provide the motivation necessary to guide us towards it.
Spaik: website | facebook | instagram
BLOOP International Proactive Art Festival: website | facebook | instagram
