This island is brimming with talented people. Whether it’s music or art or fashion or photography, the place attracts an abundance of gifted individuals, like a giant magnet for those with a propensity for the arts. As a result, Ibiza is a pretty great place to be if you’re creative – you’re surrounded by likeminded souls and you’ve got a wealth of inspiration available at your fingertips, ready to absorb at will. It’s for this reason that each and every year, Urban in Ibiza, held at Atzaró, is such a resounding success. People from all over the island come together to celebrate diversity in music, art and expression, and the result is a colourful festival that’s unlike anything else you’ll experience on the island. It’s an event that challenges the foundations of what Ibiza is renowned for, bringing a new dimension to the island’s already vast offerings.
Now in its seventh year, Urban in Ibiza is headed up and curated by Paul Dizzi Saunders, a man with art and events running through his veins, it’s a celebration of all the art world has to offer – an extravaganza that includes artworks from over 50 artists, live bands, DJs, fashion shows, live art demonstrations and Ibiza Sonica broadcasting live throughout the day. Saunders spends an entire year working on the schedule and putting together a program that really sings and shows off the best the art world has to offer, the culmination of which lands on Ibiza’s shores.
Along with what feels like the rest of the island, we head to Atzaró once the skies are beginning to darken and we’re waving goodbye to another scorching day on the island. It looks as beautiful as ever, particularly when lit by the spectacular fading light – its lush grounds are the perfect backdrop for a night of pleasure for the eyes and ears. As we arrive the sounds of The Scribes are pulsing through the air, they’ve got the place jumping with their unique blend of hip hop and Jurassic
We wander among the art, which this year all revolves around the theme of the number seven. A combination of international and local artists have interpreted the idea, resulting in a collision of colours and styles. Some of the artists have been taking part in live art demonstrations in which they develop a painting from scratch in front of the audience, and even now a member of the crowd is having her white dress decorated and made into an individual work of art. Come 10pm, the fashion show starts, showcasing a range of collections from the likes of Religion, Su Marie, Jayne Pierson, George Cox and Lovebullets, and for the first time this year, Tailored Anarchy – an art-led collection influenced directly by the art movement. Once the show has finished we head to the gallery, where an array of art is being displayed by the crème de la crème of the contemporary art world. There are pieces from the likes of Banksy, Inkie, Hush, Fin Dac, Kimberley Thomas and Chapter, among many others. This is as impressive a collection of modern art as you’re likely to see anywhere in the world, and here it is in Ibiza – an homage to the kudos of Urban in Ibiza, and the gifted individuals it attracts. Music continues late into the night and once again Urban in Ibiza proves that it’s a one of a kind event that serves the island like no other. Long may it continue.
