In the heart of Vitoria, on the Virgen Blanca square, a massive art installation has unexpectedly appeared—a wooden wall dividing the familiar city space. The structure stands three and a half meters tall and stretches almost seventy meters in length. Bright red and winding, it immediately caught the eye of locals and visitors alike.
The project’s creator, architect and sculptor Sebastián Bayo, designed this installation as an invitation to reflect on boundaries—not just physical, but also social. The organizers chose this specific location for good reason: it’s a crossroads of different segments of society, with hundreds passing through daily. From the very first hours after its installation, the wall became a living canvas for self-expression. Messages, drawings, political slogans, declarations of love, and even poems quickly covered its surface.
Teenagers and young people have been especially active. Their messages range from calls for freedom and justice to humorous comments about school life. Some use the wall to speak out about global issues, while others simply want to leave their mark on the city’s history. Every day, its surface changes: new layers of graffiti overlap the old, while drawings and words mirror the mood of the street.
Urban dialogue and debates around the installation
Not all residents of Vitoria reacted the same way to the appearance of the wall. For some, it became a symbol of openness and dialogue; for others, a controversial element disrupting the familiar look of the square. But few remained indifferent: some take photos, others argue, while some simply watch as the wall changes day by day.
The installation will be short-lived — it is scheduled for dismantling as early as mid-November. In this brief time, it has become a sort of city diary, where anyone can leave their mark. Organizers emphasize that the project goes beyond aesthetics: it captures the process of public interaction, showing how art can unite people and spark reflection.
Reflections on boundaries and freedom
The wooden wall in Vitoria is not just an art piece, but a reason to reflect on the barriers that exist between people. It serves as a reminder: boundaries can be not only physical, but also mental, and it is often the latter that prevent us from understanding each other. In just a few weeks, the installation has become a place to discuss not just local but global issues, with art serving as a tool for finding common ground.
