εξέδρα (exedra)

An εξέδρα (exedra) is a semi-circular stone bench situated at the back of the apse in Christian chapels, an architectural feature that facilitates contact and conversation between various interlocutors. This idea of a place of encounter, reflection and dialogue in the space of a chapel is the perfect metaphor for what the artist and educationalist Jordi Ferreiro seeks to achieve with his mediation project for Barcelona Producció 2019: to turn this space into a nexus with residents in the Raval through projects that can forge deep and lasting connections. The La Capella building, part of the former Hospital de la Santa Creu, served as this force for integration and social mediation back in the past. The hospital was a pioneering complex in Europe, since it combined the six hospitals in the area to provide an effective, modern and extremely necessary service to the city of Barcelona, and its chapel was the place where social interaction and mutual support took place between the various users and residents of the city. Exedra approaches art as a tool of subjective thinking that diverges from and is critical of logical or doctrinaire thinking, and for this reason it is crucial for empowering the citizens of Barcelona. Exedra proposes to work on each exhibition with artists and agents of La Capella as equals, since art and mediation are regarded as a space for learning together.