Cristina Iglesias

DESDE LO SUBTERRANEO

Botin Foundation, Santander, Spain

Desde lo Subterráneo (2017) by Cristina Iglesias is a site-specific sculptural intervention at Centro Botín in Santander. It comprises four subterranean-inspired wells and an adjacent pond, set flush into the surrounding plaza and garden terrain. Each well and the pond combine stainless steel, stone, water, and integrated hydraulic systems, ranging in scale from intimate to monumental environments .

Fabricated using precision stainless steel casting and skilled stonework, the installation channels the presence of underground springs. Water circulates gently over textured surfaces, eliciting the movement and sound of hidden geological processes. The interplay of reflective metal, stone textures, and fluid rhythms transforms architectural space into an immersive, sensory landscape.

Iglesias, born in San Sebastián (1956), is acclaimed for her immersive installations that integrate industrial materials, water, and site‑specific engineering. With a background in chemical sciences and sculpture, her practice explores subterranean memory, natural topographies, and spatial meditation. Desde lo Subterráneo exemplifies her long-standing dialogue with architectural context and ecological consciousness, reinforcing her unique sculptural vocabulary.