Ibiza’s New Cultural Life: Where Art, Design, and Local Belonging Intertwine

The Cultural Life in Ibiza: Beyond the Stereotype

Ibiza is often associated with parties and a vibrant nightlife. Yet, the island hides deeper cultural layers that are just as dynamic as its popular touristic image.
One of the clearest signs of this cultural richness is the blend between contemporary art and local identity. This fusion is now visible through artistic and community-based initiatives across the island.

A Cultural Shift in the Quiet North

In Sant Miquel, a village in the island’s quieter northern region, a new kind of cultural space has taken shape: Gathering Ibiza.
This multifunctional venue includes an art gallery, a restaurant, and an open-air bar. Although it began in London, the project found its true essence in Ibiza.

More Than a Gallery: A Space with Dual Identity

Gathering Ibiza offers a creative response to the contrast between structured cultural systems and the island’s relaxed, flowing rhythm.
It is more than just a gallery. The space captures the spirit of the local community through art, design, and social interaction.
In many ways, it mirrors Ibiza’s creative energy—an energy rooted in both the people and the surrounding natural landscape.

Evolving Artistic Experiments: How “Gathering” Weaves Art Through Time and Space

Since its launch in 2024, Gathering Ibiza has acted as a living experiment in how contemporary art can evolve. The venue has hosted a range of exhibitions, each different in style and direction.
It began with Substance, its first show, and soon expanded into global partnerships. One highlight was a collaboration with Berlin’s Société gallery in the Sunset Strip exhibition.
This development shows a strong desire to go beyond local boundaries. Yet, the project remains rooted in a specific place, reflecting Ibiza’s creative context.

Design: Balancing Identity and Symbolism

Mira by Gathering is set in an open courtyard that connects to a small cave. This unique layout strikes a balance between openness and intimacy.
Design here serves more than function. It embraces bold visual statements. For example, breast-shaped lamps—created by British artist Tai Shani and inspired by Hans Bellmer—add surreal, bodily symbolism.
However, such choices spark debate. They raise questions about public taste and the fine line between meaningful art and shallow provocation.
Is the design speaking a thoughtful artistic language? Or is it simply trying to grab attention with bold, risky visuals?

Dialogue with Nature Through Art

The Gathering team worked with Bellistri Maroli studio to create a space that welcomes art without overwhelming it.
Outdoor elements—like kinetic sculptures floating over the terrace or mirrored panels by Stefan Brüggemann—encourage both reflection and visual engagement.
Even the materials tell a story. Rattan, steel, and pink wool echo the 1970s, a time known for the tension between simplicity and richness. This contrast is used again here to explore new meanings of function and beauty.

Culinary Experience: A Natural Extension of the Concept

At Mira, food is more than nourishment. It continues the venue’s artistic narrative.
Italian chef Giacomo Notarbartolo, who previously worked at Nobu Ibiza, leads the kitchen. His dishes focus on seasonal ingredients, arranged in clean, refined presentations.
Notable creations include carob focaccia with sobrasada and grilled octopus with Anticucho Nora sauce.
Drinks also reflect Ibiza’s spirit. Cocktails mix herbs, liquor, and aromatic notes that evoke the island’s warmth and light.
One example is the Ibiza Highball, made with amaretto, lavender, vodka, and soda. Another, The Naked Traveller, combines Aperol, Chambord, mint, and lemon juice for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Local Roots, Global Dialogue

Mira doesn’t exist in isolation. It connects with creative spaces around the world.
Recent collaborations included events with La Brillantina in Barcelona and Canopia in Mexico City.
These connections show Mira’s ambition to become part of a global network—especially in the fields of food and music.

Music as a Living Pulse

Beyond art and food, Mira also features music.
The venue hosts live performances every Thursday and vinyl-only DJ sets every Sunday.
These events turn the space into a lively, shifting atmosphere—more than just a gallery or restaurant, it becomes a space of real interaction.

Cultural Ambition vs. Sustainable Identity

Founder Alex Flick sees Mira as a response to a cultural gap on the island.
His goal is to blend art, cuisine, and music into one immersive experience.
Still, a core question remains: Can this fusion create a lasting cultural identity?
Or is Mira still hovering between form and substance, searching for a balance?

Mediterranean Cuisine with a Contemporary Touch

At Mira by Gathering, food plays a vital role in shaping the visitor’s overall experience.
Italian chef Giacomo Notarbartolo leads the kitchen. He previously worked at Nobu Ibiza, a world-famous restaurant.
His cooking focuses on seasonal and local ingredients. Each dish is crafted with simplicity, yet keeps a distinct and balanced flavor.

Notable dishes include carob focaccia topped with sobrasada, a local delicacy. Another favorite is grilled octopus served with Anticucho Nora sauce and sweet potato.
These dishes reflect both the chef’s expertise and the venue’s artistic spirit.

Drinks Inspired by the Island’s Energy

The sensory experience continues with Mira’s cocktail menu.
Each drink blends herbs, scents, and vibrant notes, echoing the warmth and brightness of Ibiza.

The Ibiza Highball mixes amaretto, lavender, vodka, and soda into a refreshing, light drink.
Meanwhile, The Naked Traveller combines Aperol, Chambord, mint, and lemon juice for a crisp, citrus-forward blend.

Collaborative Networks and Cultural Exchange

A Global Culinary Dialogue

Mira is more than a local venue. It’s part of a growing network that connects culinary scenes from across the world.
The project has hosted pop-up collaborations with La Brillantina in Barcelona and Canopia in Mexico City.
These events help position Mira as a cultural hub—open to creative exchange through food, drink, and shared experience.

Music as a Living Element

Beyond food and design, Mira brings the space to life with music.
Live performances take place every Thursday. On Sundays, vinyl-only DJ sets offer a different soundscape.
These events transform the venue into a dynamic, evolving environment—one that invites both creativity and connection.

A Cultural Vision Beyond Entertainment

Owner Alex Flick believes that Mira is more than a trendy concept. He sees it as a response to a cultural gap in Ibiza.
By merging food, art, and music, the project offers a new kind of creative platform.

In an interview with Wallpaper magazine, he stated:

“Ibiza is not just an entertainment destination, but a fertile ground for cultural encounters.”

That’s the essence Mira aims to express—a place where taste, sound, and vision meet.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

While Mira by Gathering offers a multifaceted experience worthy of appreciation, the ambitious vision it carries is not without its challenges.

On one hand, the venue succeeds in merging elements of design, art, gastronomy, and music into a contemporary language that celebrates interaction and intimacy—providing visitors with a holistic experience that defies comparison with conventional galleries or restaurants.

On the other hand, this dual identity may risk conceptual ambiguity, especially for audiences unfamiliar with such interdisciplinary intersections.

Despite the evident aesthetic appeal in evoking the 1970s, some design elements—such as the ceiling lamps shaped like breasts—feel more like gratuitous spectacle than meaningful artistic choices. Rather than reflecting genuine innovation, such details appear to chase controversy or visual shock value for the sake of standing out. The direct use of bodily symbols in this way lacks visual wit or mature symbolic depth, and ultimately undermines the project’s seriousness—aligning it more closely with market-driven provocation than with a conscious architectural statement. When symbolism is emptied of conceptual substance, it becomes mere decorative cliché, and that was clearly the case here.

Moreover, the project’s expanding network of international collaborations, while adding a welcome global dimension, raises questions about the strength of its local grounding. Does Mira truly speak in Ibiza’s voice? Or is it replicating a globally exportable cultural model that could exist in any cosmopolitan city?

These questions do not diminish the project’s value, but rather highlight a productive tension that any space striving for innovation must navigate—pushing forward without losing its roots.

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