At a glance
Film, poetry, and political activism converge around the figure of Pere Portabella to trace the history of artistic resistance in Catalonia.
Meet the artist
Why go
It offers a rare, granular look at how creative circles in Barcelona used art as a political weapon, blending historical archives with contemporary activist responses.
You'll see
Experimental films · Documentary photography · Visual poetry · Political archives · Contemporary installations
Pace of visit
The high density of archival documents and film excerpts requires a steady pace and focused reading.
Don't miss
Previously unseen archival materials that shed light on the clandestine collaborations between artists and political movements during the resistance.
Artlovers Tip
Since the venue is just a short walk from the Museu Picasso, consider visiting both to see two very different sides of Barcelona’s 20th-century artistic evolution.
Inside the exhibition
Exposició de varietats antifeixistes at Fundació Joan Brossa — La Seca in Barcelona, Spain, examines the intersection of culture and political resistance. The show uses the work and influence of filmmaker Pere Portabella as a lens to view how art, cinema, and poetry served as tools for anti-fascist activism during and after the dictatorship.
The selection brings together diverse media, featuring the visual poetry of Joan Brossa alongside the documentary photography of Colita and Francesc Català-Roca. It bridges the past with the present by including contemporary voices like Núria Güell and Daniela Ortiz, who engage with political archives and unpublished historical materials to address ongoing social struggles and institutional memory.
By moving beyond traditional displays, the exhibition highlights the collaborative spirit of the Catalan avant-garde. It provides a specific context for understanding how experimental aesthetics were inseparable from political commitment, making it a significant study of counter-cultural history within the walls of a former 13th-century mint in the heart of the city.
Worth travelling for?
A dense, intellectually stimulating visit for those interested in the history of Catalan resistance and the bridge between experimental art and political action.
Experience as an Artlover
Entrance to the exhibition at La Seca is free, making it an accessible stop for those exploring the Ribera district during its six-month run.
Exposició de varietats antifeixistes
Artlovers relevance
Plan your visit
Fundació Joan Brossa
Barcelona, Spain
