Where light meets colour
The Hortensia Herrero Art Center, in the heart of Valencia, is a cultural treasure where art, light, and history meet. It’s housed in the old Valeriola Palace, a place that, on its own, is a journey through time—from the Roman and Visigothic eras to the Islamic and Christian periods. You uncover layers of history with every step.
I visited this place in June 2025, and one thing is for sure: I didn’t plan enough time! I had to rush to catch my flight back to Paris, and I didn’t get to fully savor the experience. The exhibition is huge, and the architecture is a work of art in itself. The view from the 4th floor is breathtaking, not to mention the rooftop where you can sip a coffee. If you truly want to enjoy it, plan for at least two hours!
A « Wow » effect right from the start
Entering the front door is an experience in itself. I found myself in a grand brick hall, and immediately, I was immersed in light and color. My eyes were drawn to a spectacular installation: colorful cubes, filled with spiderwebs, suspended from the ceiling. This is the work of the renowned artist Tomás Saraceno called « Corona Australis 38.89 », 2018, who once said, « I don’t know if art can change the world, but I know that its perception can be part of the project to safeguard our planet. Art can transform, form new alliances, new forms of interaction that can disrupt the system, urging change. »
A few facts and a vision
Before I tell you more, here are a few numbers to set the scene: the art center features 17 exhibition spaces across more than 3,500 m². It opened in 2023, after five years of meticulous restoration.
Behind this initiative is Hortensia Herrero, a businesswoman from Valencia and the vice-president of the major supermarket chain Mercadona. A passionate art collector, she first invested in Spanish and local artists, then expanded her collection to include emblematic international figures such as Anselm Kiefer, Georg Baselitz, David Hockney, Anish Kapoor, and Mat Collishaw.
My favorite pieces
Olafur Eliasson The Danish artist Olafur Eliasson has several installations on display. The one that struck me most is called “Tunnel for unfolding time,” 2022. It’s a tunnel made of 1,035 pieces of glass of different sizes and designs, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow. But when I turned around, all I saw was a black tunnel. It made me realize how blurry our perception of reality can be, and that art, like life, can always be viewed from at least two different angles.
Anish Kapoor Another work, “Random Triangle Mirror,” 2013, made of stainless steel and resin, fascinated me. Anish Kapoor, an internationally recognized artist, uses the word « void » to name some of his works. With this sculpture, I felt like I was looking inward. By playing with my reflection, I realized I was part of the work. It was an incredibly playful and accessible experience.
Carlos Cruz-Diez Finally, “Physicromie 1916,” 2014. This great master of kinetic art, known for his work on color, once explained that the goal of his art was to « create a visual shock to wake us up from the robotic attitude we subject ourselves to when we walk through the city. » I spent a lot of time in front of this giant work of art, and depending on where I stood, the colors changed. I felt like I was in a trance, completely absorbed by the artwork.
Emerging artists and accessibility?
As I walked through the center, I noticed that there seemed to be a limited place for emerging artists, at least for now. But the center opened very recently, and this choice might be strategic for a new institution looking to establish itself. In any case, I was delighted to discover this place, its architecture, and the impressive curation of some of the most successful artists of our time. I felt a deep sense of joy. Even my friend, who isn’t a huge fan of contemporary art, found inspiration in the interactive pieces, especially the digital artwork “The World of Irreversible Change,” 2022, from the collective « teamLab. » Ask one of the mediators for context on the piece and how to participate—it’s innovative and great fun!
If you visit Valencia, the Hortensia Herrero Art Center is a must-see. You won’t regret it.
More information can be found here: https://www.cahh.es/
Exhibition view pictures:
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