From 17 to 20 September, Matadero Madrid will host a new edition of L.E.V. Matadero, the Festival of Visual Electronics and Extended Realities, which once again brings together works in sound, audiovisual and performing arts, digital art and extended realities.
As a prelude to the festival, L.E.V Matadero will host XR Camp. Inhabiting the Virtual: New Approaches to Extended Reality, from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 September. The event is linked to the European project Realities in Transition (RiT2), a community exploring new approaches to the creation, production and critical thinking surrounding Extended Reality (XR)
The Matadero Madrid Aulario will bring together artists, researchers, curators and industry professionals to address the challenges and opportunities presented by XR environments. From the ways in which they are created and exhibited to their social, cultural and political implications – promoting a more open, ethical and mindful approach to these technologies.
The event also features two free, open-to-all activities scheduled for Thursday 17 September, which will introduce the public to some of the issues at the heart of XR creation.
WORKSHOP LED BY CARLES CASTAÑO
ANATOMÍA DE UNA PIEZA INMERSIVA: CÓMO SE CONSTRUYEN LAS REALIDADES EXTENDIDAS
What does it take to create an artwork for an immersive environment? Artist Carles Castaño explores this question in a hands-on workshop focused on XR technologies, with particular emphasis on Mixed Reality. Anatomía de una pieza inmersiva: cómo se construyen las realidades extendidas combines learning and experimentation to explore the creative process from start to finish: from imagining and shaping an idea to developing the work and discovering its possibilities through interaction with audiences and the surrounding environment.
The workshop will take place on Thursday 17 September at 12:00 noon and is recommended for participants aged 15 and over. Prior registration is required:
PANEL: DISTRIBUTION AN ACCESS TO XR
WHO GETS TO EXPERIENCE XR? ARTISTIC FREEDOM, ACCESSIBILITY AND THE POLITICS OF DISTRIBUTION
That same afternoon, at 5:00 pm, the panel Who Gets To Experience XR? Artistic freedom, accessibility and the politics of distribution will bring together artists and professionals to discuss the challenges of distributing and accessing XR art. The session will share experiences of presenting XR works to diverse audiences and explore ways of making them more accessible without compromising artistic experimentation.
Chaired by Marie Pont, director of the art production agency Dark Euphoria, the discussion will feature Elena Carbajal (Onkaos), Diego Iglesias (MMMAD), and artists Irene Molina and Carles Castaño. Admission is free and open to all, subject to limited capacity.
XR Camp is part of a diverse programme featuring concerts, audiovisual performances, stage works, immersive installations and XR experiences, with more than 15 artists from Spain and abroad. The eighth edition of L.E.V. Matadero once again brings together art, technology and performance through a contemporary and experimental programme that explores issues ranging from the climate crisis and hyperconsumerism to diversity.
Highlights include the Spanish premiere of Last and First Men, a stage adaptation of Jóhann Jóhannsson’s film by British company Neon Dance, alongside a programme of live concerts and audiovisual performances featuring artists such as Suso Saiz, Kelly Moran, the duo Schnitt with Aoi Yamaguchi, Drew McDowall accompanied by Pedro Maia, and Kyria Libia. The Vortex section will further strengthen the festival’s focus on Extended Realities with projects including A Long Goodbye by Kate Voet and Victor Maes, as well as the premiere of new work by Spanish artist Carles Castaño.
Discover the full programme on the festival website.
TICKETS ON SALE HERE aquí
The Festival of Visual Electronics and Extended Realities, arranged by Matadero Madrid and curated by L.E.V. (Laboratorio de Electrónica Visual y Realidades Extendidas). With the collaboration of Centro de Danza Matadero, Cineteca Madrid y Centro de residencias artísticas, featuring Central de Diseño.
L.E.V. Matadero 2026
September 17 – 20 | Matadero Madrid
www.levfestival.com
#LEVMatadero @levfestival @mataderomadrid
Arranged by Matadero Madrid
Curated by L.E.V. Laboratorio de Electrónica Visual
Partners: Centro de Danza Matadero, Cineteca Madrid, Centro de residencias artísticas
Featuring: Central de Diseño
Supported by: RiT2 (Realities in Transition 2).
Associated media: Radio 3, OCI Magazine, Clot Magazine, Metal Magazine
Visual identity: Iván Puñal
Music: Milian Mori
LINE UP LEV MATADERO 2026_
Sept 17 – 20
LIVE SHOWS & AV PERFORMANCES
NEON DANCE (JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON & YAIR ELAZAR GLOTMAN, narrado por TILDA SWINTON). Last and First Men _UK Spanish Premiere
SCHNITT + AOI YAMAGUCHI. Calligraton _IT/JP Spanish Premiere
DREW MCDOWALL & PEDRO MAIA A/V _US/DE
SUSO SAIZ _ES
KELLY MORAN _US
MILIAN MORI _CH [Raster Media]
KYRIA LIBIA. El Arrobamiento _ES World Premiere
NAO. THE CLUSTERs _JP [Les laboratoires deletere] Spanish Premiere
VORTEX. VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCES
CHRONICA V1. Barbara Mydlak & Yann Deval. _FR
[“Á”1653 “gora” 23035]. Carles Castaño _ES World Premiere
A LONG GOODBYE. Kate Voes & Victor Maes. _BE/LU/NL
AUDIOVISUAL INSTALLATIONS
PUPPET. 1024 Architecture X Vitalic _FR Spanish Premiere
PLAYGROUND. Initi _CZ
H U M I. Riccardo Giovinetto _IT Spanish Premiere
