MMMAD Festival 2025: “Abracadabra”: of Magic and Technology
From April 24 to May 24, Madrid becomes a hub of artistic and technological marvels, hosting the sixth edition of MMMAD Festival under the theme “Abracadabra: of Magic and Technology.” In this month-long celebration, the city’s iconic spaces, streets, and cultural centers will be transformed by exhibitions, performances, and workshops that explore the intersections of bodies, computer systems, mythology, ritual, and our perceptions of the digital realm.
At the heart of the festival, the urban screens of Clear Channel and Super 8 will showcase “Of Magic and Technology,” a new series by the PATIO studio collective. Generated through artificial intelligence, these evocative pieces channel the mystery behind generative processes and remind us of the deep allure, and occasional opacity, of machines. By probing the limits of our understanding, PATIO calls on viewers to reflect on what lies beyond the visible and how technology shapes both our everyday lives and our sense of wonder.
One of the central highlights of this edition is the group exhibition “Abracadabra: of Magic and Technology” at GAVIOTA, featuring artists such as Guerreiro do Divino Amor, Lolo & Sosaku, Rune Bering, Sputniko!, and Alejandría. Through audiovisual experiments, live performances, and sculptural installations, they examine science fiction, folklore, and cultural critique. Their works embody everything from the ritualistic and mythical to the scientifically speculative, creating a vibrant tapestry that challenges audiences to question the boundaries between what is rational and what is magical.
Beyond the group show, an exciting lineup of solo exhibitions promises visitors a deeper dive into the multifaceted world of digital art. At NAVESIERRRA, Simone C. Niquille presents “MODEL HOME,” an investigative project into how computational vision is rewriting the design and function of our domestic spaces. Meanwhile, at HYPER HOUSE, Common Accounts introduces “Clients and Servers,” an immersive installation that reimagines a Baroque catafalque to explore digital mourning rituals. Here, the interface between body, network, and memory is laid bare, offering a poetic yet critical reflection on how technology mediates our encounters with death and remembrance.
Workshops form another crucial component of the festival, taking place on May 17 and 18 at Medialab Matadero. Throughout these sessions, participants will engage with cutting-edge XR tools, motion capture techniques, and digital choreographic composition, guided by experts like Carles Castaño + SERVICIOS INMERSIVOS. Additionally, Candela Capitán will lead a workshop designed to probe the intricate relationship between the body, performance, and virtuality in a hyperconnected world, inviting attendees to blur the line between the physical and the digital.
The festival’s final flourish arrives on May 23 and 24 at Réplika Teatro, featuring two evenings of live performances that investigate the intersections of technology, identity, and desire. Visionary creators such as allapopp, MANS O & Joan Sandoval, Meritxell de Soto, and YESSi PERSE will fuse sound art, avatar-based experimentation, dance, and speculative narratives touching on AI, gender fluidity, digital economies, and even BDSM. Each piece delves into how our evolving technologies generate new forms of expression, connection, and self-invention.
As MMMAD Festival reaches its sixth edition, it has firmly established itself as an essential platform for rethinking our present, and envisioning our future, through the lens of digital innovation and artistic exploration. By merging the public arena with dynamic, symbolic, and sometimes provocative creative practices, the festival underscores the poetic and political dimensions of technology in our lives. This year’s edition is supported by grants from the Madrid City Council, ensuring its continuing impact on the city’s cultural landscape. Moreover, it is part of the Digital on Stage project, co-financed by the European Union, which promotes the integration of advanced technologies into stage practices.
Whether you are a seasoned art enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or simply curious about how magic and machinery can interweave, MMMAD Festival 2025 offers an immersive journey into the unknown. Join us in Madrid this spring to discover spellbinding artworks, engage with forward-thinking creators, and witness firsthand the alchemy of art and technology as they converge under the enchanting banner of “Abracadabra.”
fakewhale
Founded in 2021, Fakewhale advocates the digital art market's evolution. Viewing NFT technology as a container for art, and leveraging the expansive scope of digital culture, Fakewhale strives to shape a new ecosystem in which art and technology become the starting point, rather than the final destination.
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