Fran Berbel Exhibits “Lo Invisible o La Resistencia de la Belleza” in Torrevieja

A contemplative journey into the unseen and the untouchable from 5 December 2025

A new voice in contemporary art is landing at one of Torrevieja’s most emblematic venues. On Friday 5 December 2025 at 19:00, the Sala de Exposiciones of the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen will open “Lo invisible o La Resistencia de la Belleza”, the latest exhibition by artist Fran Berbel.

The show, which will remain open until 6 January 2026, brings together around 20 recent pieces in which Berbel explores what cannot be seen or touched: desires, fears, and a beauty that only hints at itself, never fully revealing its form.

Working with paint, inks and reactive materials, the artist deliberately steps back and lets the matter itself “breathe”. The result is organic, almost living forms that shift depending on light and the viewer’s distance – an invitation to slow looking in an age of permanent acceleration.

“The work proposes a resistance to contemporary speed, inviting us to look calmly and to feel before trying to understand.”

An antidote to the scroll culture

In a world saturated with instant images, Berbel’s work does the opposite: it refuses to be consumed quickly. Many pieces change subtly over minutes or even days thanks to the reactive materials he uses – pigments that oxidise, inks that migrate, surfaces that respond to humidity and temperature. What you see on the opening night may be different a week later.

This deliberate slowness is the core of what the artist calls “the resistance of beauty”. While social media feeds demand immediate reaction, Berbel asks the viewer to stop, breathe, and let sensation come before analysis.

Who is Fran Berbel?

Although still relatively young on the national scene, Fran Berbel (Alicante province) has been gaining attention for his experimental approach to materials and his interest in the boundary between the visible and the invisible. His previous series have been shown in Valencia, Murcia and Alicante, but this is his first major solo show in Torrevieja.

Local art lovers already know the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen as one of the Costa Blanca’s most active exhibition spaces, with a programme that mixes established names and emerging talent. Placing Berbel here during the busy Christmas season guarantees high footfall – and plenty of time for visitors to experience how his works evolve over the five weeks they are on display.

Perfect winter cultural outing

With mild December temperatures and the Christmas lights already illuminating Paseo Vista Alegre, a visit to “Lo invisible o La Resistencia de la Belleza” is the ideal quiet counterpoint to the festive hustle. Entry is completely free, and the centre’s usual opening hours (Monday–Saturday 10:00–14:00 & 17:00–21:00, Sunday mornings) make it easy to pop in after a walk along the seafront or before an evening concert in the same building.