Inside the Palacio de Cibeles, an exhibition marking two decades of Fundación ONCE's biennial brings together more than 30 artists working with and without disabilities. The tenth edition takes illusion as its theme, treating it not as trickery but as a creative tool for questioning how perception shapes what people take for reality.
What it is
The X Bienal de Arte Contemporáneo de Fundación ONCE gathers more than 30 artists with and without disabilities under curator Antonella Montinaro. Rather than treating illusion as deception, the show frames it as a creative force: a way of building, distorting, and re-reading reality through visual, sensory, and conceptual means.
Among the works on show is ILUSIÓN, a piece by street-art collective Boa Mistura made with Fundación ONCE employees, plus Daniel Canogar's Mirada and pieces by Cristina García Rodero, Joan Fontcuberta, Carlos Garaicoa, Marina Vargas, and Isidro López Aparicio, spanning photography, video, and installation.
A further group linked to inclusive-art project Debajo del Sombrero completes the programme, including graphic work by Jaime Martínez Alonso, transforming figures by José Manuel Egea, and textile pieces by Marina Solana.
Why it's worth attending
The biennial marks ten years of an inclusive-art programme built specifically around artists with and without disabilities working side by side, rather than in separate sections. It draws together photographers, painters, and textile artists across a single thematic thread, making it one of the larger group shows on Madrid's summer and autumn calendar.
Practical info
The exhibition occupies the fourth floor of the Palacio de Cibeles, a fully accessible building with lift access to every level. The same building houses Mirador Madrid, a rooftop viewpoint reachable on a separate ticket after visiting the show.
FAQ
Is the Fundación ONCE Art Biennial free to visit?
Yes. Entry to the X Bienal de Arte Contemporáneo de Fundación ONCE at CentroCentro is free, with no ticket or reservation required, from 1 July to 11 October 2026 during regular opening hours.
What floor is the exhibition on at CentroCentro?
The exhibition is installed on the fourth floor of CentroCentro, inside the Palacio de Cibeles on Plaza de Cibeles. Lifts serve every floor of the building, including the rooftop Mirador Madrid viewpoint.
Who curated the X Bienal de Arte Contemporáneo de Fundación ONCE?
The tenth edition is curated by Antonella Montinaro, who has managed the touring programme of Fundación ONCE's contemporary art collection since 2011 and curated the biennial since its fourth edition.
Which artists are featured in the 2026 Fundación ONCE Biennial?
The show includes work by Boa Mistura, Daniel Canogar, Cristina García Rodero, Joan Fontcuberta, Carlos Garaicoa, Marina Vargas, and Isidro López Aparicio, alongside artists linked to the Debajo del Sombrero inclusive-art project.
When does the X Bienal de Arte Contemporáneo de Fundación ONCE end?
The exhibition runs from 1 July to 11 October 2026 at CentroCentro in Madrid, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays.
