IRENE FERNÁNDEZ ARCAS

Temple of Collective Regeneration

In Greek mythology, the goddess Hygeia personifies health in the element of water. Inspired by this, the multimedia installation by artist Irene Fernández Arcas, Hygeia’s Cave— Collective Regeneration Temple, welcomes the public to participate in collective care. For the spacious exhibition space with seven-metre-high ceilings, the artist has created an impressive and collective space for regeneration. Hundreds of metres of fabrics painted and hand-dyed using the blue printing process hang delicately from the ceiling. An oversized, walk-in tent serves as a temple. Inside, you will encounter video and sound works, which the artist produced in collaboration with other artists: Luna Carlos Armengod, wro wrzesińska, Amuleto Manuela and Lola Bhajan. Water and its healing power takes centre stage. Symbolising life, water’s never-ending flow promises peace but also constant change.

Hygeia’s cave - Collective Regeneration Temple. Installation (1sq kilometre of painted and blueprint textiles; pillows, video, sound, ceramic, water), 2023. Commissioned by Kunstmuseum Bochum for the exhibiition “Our House is a very very very fine house” from november 2023 until 17 march 2024

Irene Fernández Arcas,Hygeia's cave - Collective Regeneration Temple
Installation (500 meters of paintings and blueprint, cushions, video, sound, ceramics, water), 2023. Commissioned by @Kunstmuseum Bochum for “Our House is a very very very fine house” exhibition

Curation Julia Lerch
Production Assistance: Gamze Can

The blue temple, "Hygeia’s cave - Collective Regeneration Temple" installation (1 km of painted & blueprint textiles; pillows, video, sound, ceramic, water), 2023.

Studio Manager: Liva Kandevica
+Assistance Lucia Cabrera

Collaborations within the artwork:

Mediterration (hacer un verbo del mediterránear),Film, 2023 with Luna Carlos Armengod
Commissioned by Kunstmuseums Bochum with Fundings from PICE Ace Cultura
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Hermanas de Agua, Audio work Poem collab with Luna Carlos Armengod, 2023
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Altar al Agua, installation (magical objects, vinyls, water, fruits), collab with Amuleto Manuela and everyone that was present, 2023
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Altar al Agua, Performative collective ritual, collab with Amuleto Manuela, filmed by Nina Cavalcanti , 2023
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Oceanic Inner Forest. 3D animation, 2023, wro wrzesińska
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Azulecer, Audiowork 2023, collar WirthLola Bhajan
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Architecture sketches: Ulises Studio + Ricardo Orts
Hanging: architecture: Katharina Volgger / Production: Ayscha Zarina Omar
Blueprints: Einbeckerblaudruck with Franziska Lutze

Photo credits for Daniel Sadrowski, Kunstmuseum Bochum