Viaje ligero (Traveling light)

Viaje ligero (translated to Traveling light) is the name of the installation that is currently in show at the contemporary art and design museum (MADC) in San José, Costa Rica. Earlier this year, around April, I got a call from the museum´s curator Imme Huttman, inviting me to a collective expo named Cuidados Extensivos (Extensive care) where they would be covering the impact of design in social and individual wellbeing. Feeling ecstatic about this invitation and comission, of course I accepted.

The conceptual stage coincided with a trip to Scandinavia where I met with close friends who went back and forth with ideas with me. I was able to do interviews and lots of plane/train thinking and writing. My thoughts about well being were very close to nature, self reflection and the risk of performative happiness, so common these social media days. Life in a developing country, in contrast to Scandinavia for instance, can sometimes feel like being well is as privilege.

For years, I have wanted to create large scale version of plants in an interactive version. Specifically, plants that -as I see them- are naturally interactive, such as “dormilona” Shameplant (Mimosa Pudica) and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) among others. This was the perfect opportunity to design an installation inspired in nature that could also express what I feel and think about the nature of well being. Dandelion carries strong cultural meanings and grand natural powers. It is polinized by 95 species of insects, its roots measure up to 15 feet, and it has health benefits. Its “technology” makes Dandelion able to sense atmospherical conditions in order to decide wether to spread of stay put. These, and more, felt perfect to me as the representation of how individual, collective and systemic actions impact life and its cyclic continuity.

Viaje ligero is a large scale interactive garden of 45 Dandelion flowers in its different stages. 15 of the flowers have lights and 7 of the flowers integrate sensors that are able to detect when a participant blows on it, just like blowing on a real Dandelion. An individuainteraction creates a light effect and a sound —each of the 7 flowers sounds on a different note. When visitors collaborate and interact with 3 or more sensors at the same time, a special melody and light show activate.

There is more to say and see and listen to but for now I will say that Cuidados Extensivos will be open to the public at MADC showing for of 30+ costarican designers until February 2027. I would love to know your feedback and how you felt at the space. This process was healing for me. When I try to put it into words why, I think that the combination of feeling excited and honored about the invitation, the company of the Museum team, having my own team by my side who are amazingly talented and generous, and the fact that I was proposing a concept for myself just for the art of it, made it one of the most enjoyable design experiences of my life. Hope you enjoy it, too!