Slow Looking and Slow Walking at Museo Universidad de Navarra in Spain

For their third Slow Art Day in 2025, the Museo Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain organized two free events — one for adults and another for children — both exploring different ways of slowing down with art.

Featured works included:

• “Incendi” by Antoni Tàpies
• Walking route map artwork by Hamish Fulton

First, nine adults gathered in front of the abstract painting “Incendi” (1991) by Antoni Tàpies for a slow looking session guided by a museum educator. Participants spent extended time contemplating the work before sharing their observations and reflections together in discussion.

Adult session held in front of Incendi by Antoni Tàpies (1991); photo by Tamara Garcés.

The museum also hosted a Slow Art Day workshop for nine children aged 8-12, inspired by the work of the “walking artist” Hamish Fulton, who has walked the Camino de Santiago several times.

The workshop had two parts. First, participants carried out a “slow walk” exercise inside the museum inspired by Fulton’s artistic practice. Then the group went outside and walked a small section of the Camino de Santiago, which passes through the University of Navarra campus near the museum.

Through this combination of walking, observation, and conversation, the children explored how movement and place can become part of artistic experience.

Children’s session — Map artwork documenting walking routes by the walking artist Hamish Fulton, including walks along the Camino de Santiago; photo by Manuel Castells.

At Slow Art Day HQ, we love seeing hosts expand the idea of slow looking in creative ways. By combining careful observation with walking and place-based exploration, the Museo Universidad de Navarra created two thoughtful experiences that helped adults and children connect with art in different ways.

We look forward to seeing what Museo Universidad de Navarra comes up with for Slow Art Day 2026.

– Ashley, Johanna, Jessica Jane, and Phyl

Slow Art Therapy at MACBA in Spain

For their second Slow Art Day, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona (MACBA), Spain, held an event hosted by certified art therapists from the Fundacion La Casa Ambar titled “A Conscious Visit to Art.”

Participants were first invited to look slowly at the following five artworks:

  • “Enderroc” by Ignasi Aballí
  • “Rinzen, Subito despertar” by Antoni Tàpies
  • “Eco de una carta inacabada” by Elena del Rivero
  • “Movil Home” by Mona Hatoum
  • “Dialegs de Llum” by Josep Grau-Garriga

After the slow looking exercise, art therapists Aura Pizarro, Joaquim Basart and Maribel Perpiñá led the group in a facilitated discussion using gestalt psychotherapy, which focuses on one’s present life rather than on past experiences. Through the discussion, participants shared reactions to the art and discovered common themes of friendship, play, family, pain, and happiness.

Slow Art Day is founded on the principle of being present in the moment, and we at HQ love to see how MACBA and the Fundacion La Casa Ambar combined Slow Looking with Gestalt Art Therapy. The Fundacion La Casa Ambar also mentioned that they offer therapy to everyone, irrespective of economic means — and radical inclusivity is another shared principle with Slow Art Day.

We are excited to see what the MACBA and the Fundacion La Casa Ambar come up with for Slow Art Day 2024.

– Johanna, Ashley, Jessica Jane, and Phyl

Museo Universidad de Navarra Hosts First Slow Art Day

For their first Slow Art Day, the Museo Universidad de Navarra, in the heart of Pamplona, Spain, invited participants to look slowly at three contemporary works for art:

  • “Incendi” (1991), by Antoni Tàpies
  • “Untitled” (1969), by Mark Rothko
  • “El número y las aguas I” (1978), by Pablo Palazuelo
Antoni Tàpies. 1991. Incendi. 251 x 603
“Untitled” (1969), by Mark Rothko.
“El número y las aguas I” (1978), by Pablo Palazuelo.
Slow Art Day at the Museo Universidad de Navarra

The museum offered free tickets, which sold out in a couple of days – slow looking is in demand around the world!

The team at the museum reported that participants were excited to look slowly, share their impressions, and see through each other’s eyes.

Importantly, the museum itself enjoyed hosting their first Slow Art Day and plans to participate again next year. We look forward to seeing what they come up with for 2024.

– Jessica Jane, Johanna, Ashley and Phyl