Culture
Tulum’s SFER IK
In Tulum, the uber-hip, trendy, and artsy town in Mexico, an exhibition hall is quickly defying all expectations. SFER IK is an exhibition space that looks nothing like an exhibition space. It was designed as a place where artists could co-mingle and let their imagination be inspired by others and the surroundings outside.
SFER IK was created out of locally sourced wood and cement. The walls are adorned with plants that sprout along circular apertures to the world outside. This interdisciplinary place is indeed, quite magical.
SFER IK is part of Azulik, an unconventional resort that is the brainchild of Eduardo Neira. Neira, or Roth as he is commonly referred to, wanted his hotel to stand out amongst Tulum’s over-saturated hospitality market. The resort is composed of wooden log bridges which connect the rooms with the spa, restaurants, meditation center, and art museum. Indeed, the whimsical design is the hotel’s most distinctive feature.
However, this design was not created without a plethora of challenges. The fact that authorization for trucks was not granted, the gradient of the road, and the idea of conservation all created obstacles for the team. Nevertheless, out of these challenges… ideas grew and evolved; and the end-product was worth all the bumps in the road.
Barefoot visitors wander across the vine-covered walkways and through the sculptural concrete spaces which are home to thousand-year-old trees. The organic design is the polar opposite of a typical white-cube, modern gallery. The warm interior hopes to elevate the senses and inspire creativity through its natural connection with nature.
SFER IK Museion’s hopes to stage exhibitions with some of the world’s finest visual artists such as Kelly Akashi, Bianca Bondi, and Rochelle Goldberg (currently exhibiting). In addition, the space will also host progressive artisanal workshops and artist-in-residence programs which will hopefully culminate in new and exciting ways of experiencing (and creating) art.
Roth worked with local craftsmen to intermix materials and natural elements which engulf visitors into the unexpected. It is like you are traveling down Alice’s Rabbit Hole… although what you encounter is surely more exciting. Some people have said that the architecture is stiff competition even for the amazing art being displayed.
Plants come out of pathways made out of logs, while the smooth, white concrete walls look like curtains flowing in the wind. The light concrete walls serve as a fabulous contrast to the woods’ darker tones. It is all intentional and meaningful… surely one would never imagine that Roth is an amateur architect and designer!
About his space, Roth says, “When people leave art museums, they might feel frustrated, but here, nature and art complement each other to create meditation.” He also said, “It’s important to confront and open visitors’ conceptions, and the architecture inside our museums helps people gain their control.”
We couldn’t agree more!