Block Buster

Designed by Alberto Kalach, Stefan Brüggemann’s new studio and creative retreat in Ibiza doesn’t miss a beat

- EMILY STEER

Stefan Brüggemann’s incisive artworks draw on the political punch of street art, the freedom of punk music, and the clean lines of minimalism. The  Mexican artist is now opening a studio and residency space in Ibiza, on a 30,000 sq m plot situated in the centre of the island. Working with his compatriot, architect Alberto Kalach, Brüggemann has brought his genre-defying approach to the project, which comprises a pavilion with domestic, studio and exhibition uses, a botanical garden, and a pool designed to fit seamlessly into the natural environment. It is a place for Brüggemann to live and work between studios in London and Mexico City, and to host a lively residency programme for poets, novelists and fellow artists.

‘A friend of mine was interested in buying the plot of land and, for some reason, he didn’t go for it. I thought, “Why not?”’ he says when we meet at his east London studio, where gold leaf and spray paint works line the walls, and towering plants cover the mezzanine. ‘I was thinking about what it means to be a contemporary artist. I didn’t want a warehouse with 100 assistants, or a factory. That sounds very 1980s New York.

‘During my research, I found stories about German philosopher Walter Benjamin coming to Ibiza during the Second World War. It reads like the romantic story of an island. It’s a place you might go if you’re heartbroken or trying to figure out your place in the world. That gave me the idea of a residency for writers and artists, surrounded by nature. It’s a place where I can work, live and invite people to be part of discussions. It’s a place to explore ideas,’ he says.