The La Caixa Foundation brings art closer to care and transform

In the reception area of ​​CaixaForum Barcelona, ​​small groups converse in hushed tones, their gestures discreet. They are a group of caregivers. Some already know each other, others don't, and today they are visiting the immersive exhibition. We are NatureAn experience that gives them something that daily life denies them: a pause, perspective, and the certainty that they are not alone. The activity, promoted by the Culture for All initiative together with the social programs of the "la Caixa" Foundation, reminds them that culture is not a luxury, but a right. The group—mostly women around 60 years old—participates in the Caregivers' School, an initiative of the "la Caixa" Foundation's Comprehensive Care for People with Advanced Illnesses program, which has already provided training and support to almost 10,000 people, including family caregivers and program volunteers. The visit to the immersive exhibition allows caregivers to disconnect, even if only for a few hours, from the relentless clock of caregiving. The activity is part of the Culture for All initiative, which has been working for years to eliminate barriers and facilitate access to culture for those who need it most and who may find themselves in vulnerable situations: groups of bereavement teenagers, elderly people experiencing loneliness, people in the process of entering the workforce, single mothers with children living in poverty, and professionals.

An experience that involves

After a brief round of introductions, a CaixaForum educator leads the group to the first floor, where the tour begins. We are NatureThe exhibition is a groundbreaking audiovisual installation in Spain that invites reflection on biodiversity, the interdependence of ecosystems, and the urgency of protecting the planet.

"I'm not going to talk much," the educator warns, adding that "this is a different kind of exhibition; it's meant to be felt." And so they do. The group moves down a dimly lit corridor to find, behind a curtain, the first visual explosion. A large room with 360-degree projections fills with images of animals and landscapes from around the world. When the floor is virtually flooded with waves, one of the caregivers pretends to walk on water. "It makes you want to take off your shoes and walk on water," she says, smiling.

In the second room, the tone changes: the images are abstract, digital art creations that evoke universes, cells, or interconnected organisms. A message on the screen reads: "Our mission in the world determines our actions." This phrase resonates with some of the participants, such as Inma, who cared for someone for a decade. "It makes me think about the need to change perspective and distance ourselves from the day-to-day," she explains, "and break out of that tunnel vision we're used to."

The third room closes the exhibition with a thread of hope. Powerful images of nature are interwoven with projects focused on protecting it. The message is clear: by working collectively, a better planet is possible. This resonates with the caregivers, allowing them to leave the exhibition with a message of optimism and hope.