BACKGROUND

In the summer of 1896, the Ruiz Picasso family - José Ruiz Blasco (father), Maria Picasso López (mother), Pablo Ruiz Picasso and Lola Ruiz Picasso (sister) - moved to an apartment at this location, Carrer de la Mercè 3 ,2n 1a. Apart from the time spent in his several studios, this was Picasso's home until he moved to Paris permanently in 1904. His family remained here until 1926, and this was the last home of his father, who died in 1913.

 

In 1981, the five buildings standing on this block were demolished to make way for what is now Plaça de la Mercè, in front of the church.

 

That controversial urban plan erased all traces of Picasso's family home but today we are able to recreate a part of Picasso's adolescence in the existing square, a space for Barcelona citizens, a public space of everyone for everyone.

 

EXPERIENCE

Using augmented reality in the same coordinates as Picasso’s apartment once was, visitors will be able to experience the young artist’s Barcelona, the changing city at the turn of the 20th century that inspired the young artist before becoming the Great Picasso.

 

We would like you to reflect on the way that everything around us - family, friends, neighbourhood, society - shapes each of us. Visitors who experience Picasso’s Mercè will come away with a new and enriched view of Placa de la Mercè.

 

  

PROJECT GOALS:

We believe that in architecture and urban planning, the historic and momentous events that happened in a specific place are the best tools to add value to it. Knowing the history of a location makes people value and respect it. In addition, urban planning and architecture are influenced by emotion: it is the stories and the connected feelings of the history of a specific location that add value to the place for those who visit. With Picasso’s Mercè we would like to:

 

  • Celebrate the history and culture of La Mercè

  • Share that Picasso lived at an apartment in Carrer de la Mercè 3, 2n 1a, in a building that is no longer there

  • Create a unique urban experience that transcends time and space through the history and cultural elements associated with a physical location

  • Increase awareness of the history and value of an urban public space, a space of all and for all

  • Add a layer of artistic and cultural content accessible to the public