PolinizaDOS 2026

The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), through the Cultural Action Unit of the Vice-Rectorate for Art, Science, Society and Technology, presents the 21st edition of the PolinizaDOS Urban Art Meeting 2026, to be held from 11 to 15 May across the Vera campus in Valencia.

Launched in April 2006 to bring together two worlds that had previously been far apart — the university and urban art — PolinizaDOS quickly became a benchmark event thanks to its originality, realism, media impact and international scope. Over its two decades, it has hosted more than 300 artists — including many of international renown — from over twenty countries.

This year's edition proposes a reflection on spatiality, aiming to move beyond the mural as a purely pictorial format and to foster a spatial and architectural perspective. To this end, it adopts an expanded approach grounded in artistic research, understood as a tool for shaping distinct spatial environments rich in conceptual meaning.

Os Espacialistas, representing Lisbon, the guest city

In this context, PolinizaDOS once again features artists linked to cities in the Ibero-American sphere. This year, the guest city is Lisbon, represented by the collective Os Espacialistas. Founded in 2008, their work is based on both theoretical and practical research into the transdisciplinary relationships between art, architecture and education. Their practice takes shape through artistic collaboration in art and architectural projects, as well as independent initiatives including architectural interventions, stage design, photographic essays, performative installations, happenings and performances.

Malditas Ternura, Manolo Mesa, Giulio Vesprini, Alexandros Simopoulos, Cristina Reyes and J. Warx complete an outstanding line-up

The programme is completed by artists selected through an open call: Malditas Ternura, whose work explores the sensitivity of collective historiographies; Manolo Mesa, who focuses on the relationship between objects and the tradition of intimate spaces; Giulio Vesprini, who examines abstraction through strongly graphic compositions; Alexandros Simopoulos, whose practice lies between painting and conceptual approaches to space; and Cristina Reyes, who approaches mural painting from a narrative and symbolic perspective, offering new ways of seeing the world.

In addition, continuing its commitment to supporting emerging talent from the UPV Faculty of Fine Arts, the jury has awarded a special mention to J. Warx, whose work stands out for its conceptual perspective on contemporary contexts. He will also take part in an event that once again opens the doors of UPV to urban art.