Interactive Bench – An Invitation to Connect
This bench is more than just a seat—it’s an invitation to pause, engage, and interact.
Public Space as a Living Artwork
Conceptual artist Juan Petry reimagines the museum as an active site of creation and exchange rather than a passive place of observation. #buenavistacervera is a social sculpture—where public spaces are not just furnished but activated. These benches encourage contemplation, connection, and participation, transforming everyday encounters into moments of artistic engagement.
When introduced into a museum, these benches redefine the institution itself—shifting it from a space of passive viewing to an interactive, living artwork.
As with many of Petry’s projects, #buenavistacervera is part of a larger network of installations, actions, and events—closely linked to his contemporary museum initiative, MUARCO. Together, they challenge traditional exhibition formats, inviting audiences to engage with art as an evolving, communal experience.
A Social Sculpture in Motion
Part of a series of interactive sculptures designed to foster social interaction in public and art spaces, #buenavistacervera is a growing European-wide initiative.
Since autumn 2024, these benches have been installed in public and art spaces across Spain, Germany, and beyond. Each bench is unique, but all serve the same purpose—to encourage spontaneous encounters, personal reflection, and creative exchange.
Each piece is crafted from recycled pallet wood, emphasizing sustainability while embracing the natural imperfections of raw materials. Designed to withstand outdoor conditions, these benches are weatherproof and require no special installation.
Beyond Sitting – A Bench for Interaction
More than just seating, each #buenavistacervera bench functions as a platform for participation. Visitors are invited to:
- Exchange messages, letters, and postcards—leave notes and discover responses from others.
- Use geo-tagging to encourage others to visit and contribute to the evolving narrative.
- Engage in spontaneous conversations and social interactions with strangers and friends alike.
The true artwork is the participation itself—the stories shared, the interactions sparked, and the unexpected connections formed. This element of discovery and engagement turns each bench into a dynamic, ever-changing social space.
Each sculpture is part of a growing collection, individually titled and marked with the #buenavistacervera signature, a serial number, and the year of creation.
Community Collaboration & Expansion
In January 2025, the Art Residence Casa del Dragon hosted a workshop to build benches to be located in Cervera del Maestre and neighbouring villages.
- 20+ participants
- 300+ hours of work
- 3,000+ screws
- 12 benches created for public spaces
Since then, Juan Petry has expanded the project, producing an additional 13 benches that are now ready to be placed in various art and public spaces across Europe.
Already, 8 benches have been designated for installation in Spain and Germany, with more locations to follow.
📍 Follow the journey of this social sculpture workshop: 🔗 https://www.familiafeliz.eu/buenavistacervera-day-01/
Cervera del Maestre – The Home of #buenavistacervera
Cervera del Maestre, a “world village of art”, is home to 600 residents from over 30 nationalities. It is also home to CASA del DRAGON, an established artist residence dedicated to creative exchange and experimental social art.
From this culturally diverse village in eastern Spain—situated between Valencia and Barcelona—#buenavistacervera has expanded into an international platform for participation and engagement.
Join the Movement – Bring a Bench to Your Space
This evolving social sculpture challenges the traditional boundaries between art, interaction, and public space. It offers an open invitation to engage, discover, and contribute to a living, collective artwork.
Do you manage a museum, gallery, or public space? Would you like to be part of this social sculpture movement?
📩 Get in touch and bring a #buenavistacervera bench to your community!
Some of the benches currently for sale on Artsy.net