El universo de las criaturas: laboratorio de juego y diseño

Matadero Madrid, the Contemporary Creation Center in the fields of culture, tourism, and sports, continues to experiment with new free and dynamic games in its program of activities aimed at families. Following the success of the small festival that turned Plaza Matadero into a multidisciplinary play space, comes The Universe of Creatures, a free installation to enjoy as a family participating in a large creative construction, which will be at boat 17 from March 7 to 16.

With the subtitle Playing Seriously and aimed at audiences from three years old, The Universe of Creatures is a creation of infinite creatures that seek to promote spaces for play and intergenerational learning, where play, art, and experimentation go hand in hand.

A large-scale installation to imagine, create, and experience

400 m² of boat one at Matadero Madrid will be the stage for this proposal that connects creative play with arts, architecture, and design, inviting visitors of all ages to experience form, space, and light. Through a simple assembly mechanism, foam cylinders, known as «pool noodles,» form the basis of this modular system that allows for unstructured construction, connection, and transformation.

The installation is structured into three areas that aim to integrate different skills, thus expanding the range of action and connection with a diverse audience. On one hand, Quiet Villa is a peaceful space where big ideas are materialized on a small scale. Here, construction pieces are smaller than in other areas, to promote the development of fine motor skills.

A creation of infinite creatures

Infinite Creatures is a playful education project that originated in 2020, within the playful player of Medialab Prado, the predecessor of the current Medialab Matadero municipal center. Led by Eva Gordo and Fernanda Tenorio, infinite creatures are based on the design of their own creative construction, fostering free play away from digital screens.

Continuously evolving, the project continues its research by understanding play as a way to live in the world with wonder and creativity, essential for development and growth, aiming to reclaim it in public spaces and daily life. Infinite creatures emphasize children and adults, seeking an inquisitive aspect of creative transformation and fun, promoting inclusive and diverse public recreational contexts.