BEAR Architects' Smithson-Inspired Installation at Concéntrico 2026
BEAR Architects has unveiled their installation, "Temblores de superficie. Vino y Smithson," at Concéntrico 2026, located in Viña Lanciano, La Rioja, Spain. Inspired by Robert Smithson's exploration of entropy during his 1967 visit to Passaic, New Jersey, the project features a 15-meter-long furrow exposing soil layers, marked by a pale three-dimensional grid. Founders Ane Arce and Iñigo Berasategui emphasize their philosophy of layering the landscape, highlighting their preference for materials that reflect traces of use. Their portfolio includes innovative projects like the Arratia Valley Music School and the transformation of a museum for Basque folk music.
Key facts
- BEAR Architects created 'Temblores de superficie. Vino y Smithson' for Concéntrico 2026 at Viña Lanciano in La Rioja, Spain.
- The installation involves excavating a 15-meter-long furrow to expose soil layers, with a pale three-dimensional grid marking the excavation.
- The work is inspired by Robert Smithson's ideas on entropy and his 1967 journey through Passaic, New Jersey.
- BEAR Architects is founded by Ane Arce and Iñigo Berasategui.
- The architects describe their approach as adding 'one more little layer' to the landscape, acknowledging that architecture cannot start from zero.
- BEAR's other projects include the Arratia Valley Music School and a former museum transformed for Basque folk music.
- The studio reimagines domestic spaces, such as kitchens as 'the center of the house' and bathrooms as generous, light-filled rooms.
- BEAR prefers materials that acquire a 'huella' (trace) of use, rejecting 'ultra-processed construction materials' that resist change.
Entities
Artists
- Robert Smithson
- Ane Arce
- Iñigo Berasategui
Institutions
- BEAR Architects
- Concéntrico
- designboom
Locations
- La Rioja
- Spain
- Passaic
- New Jersey
- Arratia Valley
- Getxo