What better way to discover Mediterranean culture than aboard a boat? The Art Explora Festival set sail on Thursday, April 23, from La Marina de Ibiza with a unique cultural offering: the world’s first museum ship, a floating space that combines art, technology, and immersive experiences. This initiative, which is free to visit through April 29, transforms the port into a cultural hub open to residents and visitors alike, offering exhibitions, educational activities, and programs designed for both adults and children.
Founded in 2024, Art Explora is an ambitious traveling project launched by the Art Explora Foundation, which visits various locations across the Mediterranean with the aim of making art more accessible to everyone. Its founder, Frédéric Jousset, conceived this initiative in 2019 with the idea of “taking culture beyond traditional spaces,” transforming the sea into more than just a route connecting territories, but also into a conduit for encounters between cultures and the histories of different civilizations.
On board the Mediterranean story
The centerpiece of the festival is an impressive 47-meter sailing catamaran, designed by architects Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, capable of accommodating up to 2,000 visitors a day.
One of the highlights of the experience on board is the immersive sound tour, developed in collaboration with IRCAM at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Visitors, lying in hammocks and wearing headphones, are immersed in a sensory journey that combines sounds recorded throughout the Mediterranean basin: waves crashing on different shores, bustling markets, traditional songs, urban noise, religious sounds, and even moments of silence that invite reflection. An experience that connects the public directly with the soul of the Mediterranean.
The tour continues with a virtual reality experience that transports visitors to key cities in Mediterranean history, such as Alexandria, Athens, and Venice. Using VR headsets and interactive controllers, visitors can explore detailed historical reconstructions, tour iconic monuments, and gain insight into how ancient civilizations lived.
Land ahead
The festival isn’t limited to the ship; it extends to the pier, where a variety of activities take place that connect the overall project with Ibiza’s local identity. Craft workshops—such as esparto grass weaving—participatory activities like the ball pagès, artistic activities such as Japanese suminagashi, and the creation of postcards that are sent to other cities along the route all contribute to a vibrant space for cultural exchange. In addition, diverse groups participate, ranging from educational institutions to social organizations, reinforcing the project’s inclusive nature.
Art Explora is much more than just a cultural festival; it is a journey by sea and land that connects regions and generations with the history and heart of the Mediterranean.