Since the end of May, Sant Antoni de Portmany has been home to a magical 160-meter walkway covering more than 1,000 square meters. Endless Rainbow Walk is the name of this one-of-a-kind installation that interacts with daily life on Santa Agnès street and the entire West End area. We spoke with its creator, renowned Spanish urban artist Okuda San Miguel – one of the most internationally acclaimed artists in Spain. As he reveals in this interview, Endless Rainbow Walk is one of the most demanding projects of his career, and a key part of the Sant Antoni Town Council’s revitalization plan.
What did you want to convey with your work in Sant Antoni?
I wanted to create a kind of multicultural collage. I used some of the most basic and simplified symbols from my visual language, like my chaos star, my animal universe and that vibrant world of color. Because the technique involved flat colors with no gradients, it pushed me to focus on more essential elements. The goal was to reflect the diversity and multiculturalism that the island inspires in me – with all the people who come here from different places and backgrounds. I think the piece offers a welcome to everyone who arrives, creating a cultural and energetic exchange between them and the island.
Have you ever done anything like this before? What was the biggest challenge you faced?
It was the first time I’ve worked on such a large surface – and on the ground, no less. We had to go through an experimental phase to figure out the best materials to use. In the end, we went with a mix, mainly polyurethanes. Each color was calculated down to the millimeter; we outlined every phase of the design and mixed each batch on-site. It was a much slower process than usual. We spent a month painting and another preparing the surface and applying varnish. The weather also played a big part – we had about a month and a half of delays due to rain. Plus, we were under pressure to finish before the crowds arrived in May, since the street was closed for a long time. It’s been one of the longest and most complex projects I’ve ever taken on – but also one of the most rewarding, because for the first time, people can actually walk inside the artwork and feel like they’re part of something infinite.
This is a living piece – something people see, touch and walk on every day. How do you think it might evolve over time?
I think the piece truly comes to life when people walk on it. We’re planning something special for September – bringing together a diverse group of people and organizing an event in the space that celebrates the diversity reflected in the work. We actually did something similar at the start, inviting a ball pagès folk group wearing traditional Ibizan costumes. It was a beautiful contrast between my contemporary language and their traditional ornaments. The geometric jewelry in their costumes really connected with my geometric style – it was wonderful. That interaction between the people and the artwork, and vice versa, is what will allow it to keep evolving. And that’s the most beautiful part.
In what ways can art help locals and visitors engage with a city differently?
This piece is meant to offer something new, to attract a different kind of visitor – someone coming to feel something, to be moved, to experience art through walking. Ibiza already attracts many kinds of tourists, but the idea here is to promote a more cultural kind of tourism, at least in this area. To let art serve as a bridge for people to experience the place in a new way. Lastly, I’d love to invite everyone to check out my Instagram profile @okudart, which I use as a kind of personal diary. There I share my projects, the creative process behind each work, the studios I work in, the exhibitions I visit, and everything that’s part of my life as an artist. Everyone’s welcome to follow and discover more about my creative universe.
