Exhibition Highlights

Andrea Canepa (Lima, 1980) creates art that sits at the crossroads of history, sociology, and our everyday lives. She is fascinated by how the way we organize our surroundings—through shapes, spaces, and symbols—shapes how we see the world. By looking at examples from the past and far-off places, she helps us reflect on how we live right now.

For this project, Andrea has transformed the large tarpaulin covering the Palacio de Cristal in Madrid during its restoration. Her inspiration comes from the ancient Paracas culture of Peru and their tradition of wrapping textile bundles to honor the departed. This act of covering and protecting is a theme that has captivated Andrea since she was a child.

The images you see on the tarpaulin show layers of bound fabric. These are actually large-scale photographs based on oil paintings Andrea created, bringing a hand-painted, tactile feel to the structure.

The installation also connects the Palacio’s iconic glass-and-iron architecture with early inventions that paved the way for modern cinema. It turns the building into a giant, contemporary version of a 'praxinoscope'—an early optical toy. As you walk by, the sequences of textiles seem to wrap and unwrap before your eyes, creating a story that only comes to life through your own movement.