Blanca de la Torre on the 'Amphibious Museum': Engaging Publics, Not Masses

In an interview for Artishock Revista's International Museum Day series, IVAM director Blanca de la Torre outlines her vision for the 'Museo Anfibio' (Amphibious Museum), a relational institution that mediates between territories, communities, and ecosystems. The concept, structured around two axes—'Territorios-Tierra' and 'Entornos Acuáticos'—aims to activate material and immaterial heritage and produce ecosystemic memories. De la Torre emphasizes horizontal dialogue with audiences, opening traditionally restricted areas like storage and restoration workshops, and slowing down the museum experience. She distinguishes between attracting publics and chasing masses, arguing that economic sustainability should not turn the museum into a purely economicist artifact. The interview also addresses the need for structural transformation to make institutions more agile, while maintaining collaboration networks for a healthier institutional future.