MADRID.- Imagine walking into a museum and finding not just finished artworks, but the very tools and stages of an artist's creative process, laid bare. That’s precisely what Laia Estruch is doing at the Reina Sofía with her exhibition, "Hello Everyone," a deeply personal and immersive dive into her fifteen years of performance art.

Forget the pristine white cube. Estruch, with the help of curators Mariana Cánepa Luna and Max Andrews, has transformed a section of the museum into a vibrant, almost chaotic warehouse of her artistic life. Metal contraptions, soft textile forms, and pneumatic structures, all central to her performances, stand like silent actors, some "sleeping," as Estruch puts it, but all radiating a palpable energy.

"This isn't just a show, it's an archive unfolding," Estruch explained, her voice thick with emotion. "I wanted to show the beauty of these pieces as they are, without needing to activate them." The space is a testament to her unique vision, one where sculpture isn't just static object, but a sensory stage, a physical extension of her own body.

Manuel Segade, the museum's director, didn't hold back in his praise, calling Estruch "the most important performance artist of our generation in our country." He emphasized the museum's commitment to supporting artists who push boundaries, who "take the pulse of the present in a very lively way."

But "Hello Everyone" isn't just a visual feast. Estruch, who sees performance as a form of research, has woven her sonic work into the fabric of the exhibition. Seven speakers pulse with recordings of her performances and original compositions, creating a multi-layered soundscape that remixes her vocal explorations. A video compilation at the exhibit's entrance acts as a "trailer" for her extensive body of work.

And Estruch isn't just leaving her pieces to speak for themselves. Throughout the exhibition, running from February 26 to September 1, 2025, she'll be performing "Mix," a live, retrospective exploration of her vocal repertoire. Imagine a DJ set, but with her voice as the only instrument, weaving through years of work, creating new rhythms and connections.

"It's been a long journey," Estruch confessed, her voice cracking slightly. "It's not easy being an artist in this country. To be here, in the Reina Sofía, it's… it's really something."

The curators, Andrews and Luna, wanted to create a space that compelled visitors to "stop, listen, and experience." They’ve succeeded. By presenting Estruch's work as a living archive, they've invited us into the very heart of her creative process, a space where performance, sculpture, and sound collide, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Adding to the exhibition's depth, a comprehensive monograph will accompany the show, featuring essays, conversations, and photographs, providing further insight into Estruch's remarkable artistic journey. This exhibition isn't just a retrospective; it's a living, breathing testament to the power of performance art to challenge, engage, and ultimately, connect us all.