Warmth, profound interactions, and familiarity — paired with a subtle sense of curiosity and exploration — isn’t the atmosphere you’d typically associate with a contemporary art gallery. Yet, at BETA Contemporary, these emotions seem to be a foundational part of the experience.
With la tendresa, the current solo exhibition by artist Miriam Dema, the gallery has once again embodied its mission: not only to present art, but to accompany and amplify it in every way possible. One of the most distinctive aspects of BETA Contemporary is its commitment to transforming the gallery space for each exhibition. These aren’t just installations — they are immersive environments that frame and extend the artist’s work.
The roots of the current exhibition la tendresa spatial approach were unexpectedly planted during a birthday celebration shared by Paula, Miriam, and the rest of the team. In a quiet corner of the room, ideas flowed freely — nourished not by agenda, but by genuine connection. A simple, unplanned conversation became the beginning of it, built on mutual inspiration.
That closeness has defined the relationship between Miriam Dema and BETA from the beginning. When they first met about a year and a half ago, the connection was immediate. Miriam’s studio, located like the gallery in Gràcia, welcomed the team, and something clicked. Trust was mutual and swift — and soon after, the idea for their first solo show, El Carinyo, took shape. Since then, their creative bond has continued to deepen and evolve.
Of course, artistic growth rarely follows a straight path. While Miriam’s work always carries a sense of love and intimacy, her approach in la tendresa slightly differs from her previous solo exhibition.
“I’ve been super focused on this feeling through food in El Carinyo,” she explains, “expressing it through tables, the trace of these connections and the feeling these gatherings bring with them, a sense of care, love and warmth. For the current exhibition, it’s the same feeling of lightness, warmth and deep love, but this time, the motif changed and I expressed it through touch, physical connection and figures.”
Not just with Miriam, but in general, BETA chooses the artists they work with through a blend of instinct and intention. Aesthetic alignment is essential, but so is emotional resonance.
“We’re drawn to practices that move us, challenge us, and make us want to build something over time, not just for one exhibition. That said, the human connection is just as important. We spend a lot of time getting to know the artists we work with, and our collaborations tend to grow organically. We look for mutual trust, shared values, and the desire to grow together. There’s no rigid formula — each relationship develops differently — but at the core, it’s about resonance, commitment, and care.”
BETA’s origin story is just as organic as how they choose the artists to collaborate with. What began in Berlin in 2019 as Studio BETA was initially an experimental project by friends Mauricio Sauma and Juan Andrés Salazar. They shared a creative space, exploring everything from podcasts to commercial work, and eventually hosted a few small exhibitions — which received unexpectedly warm responses. Realizing they had tapped into something meaningful, the project evolved from something more unintentional into something very intentional. Mauricio later moved to Barcelona for personal reasons, but the connection to Berlin remains — not just emotionally, but structurally, as part of the team still resides there.
Juan stayed in Berlin, and the plan to eventually reopen a space will inevitably happen at some point in the future — a return to their beginnings, but with the maturity of experience.
These quiet encounters and gestures — emotional intimacy, physical closeness — are the moments that make us feel most alive. They’re the moments we live for. And for me, they’re what sets BETA apart from many other galleries. From the first time I visited, I felt welcomed. Every encounter since has carried that same familiar energy. Cheché Valdés, BETA’s Gallery Manager, affirms that this closeness isn’t accidental — it’s quite essential. That approach shapes everything they do. By shortening the distance between artists and audiences, institutions and collaborators, they’ve created a structure that is both rigorous and human — where professionalism is inseparable from warmth and care.
Stepping into la tendresa at BETA, you’re immediately embraced by soft textiles and gentle forms. The architecture of the exhibition invites you to linger, to explore. Small doors and windows appear throughout — offering glimpses of what’s to come, while evoking the feeling of a home. There’s something about the space that evokes childhood memories of building cushion-and-curtain caves—blanket forts and secret hideouts where imagination roams free.
It’s easy to forget — during the buzz of an opening night, glasses of cava in hand, the gallery aglow with everyone in their best clothes — just how much work happens behind the scenes. The weeks of preparation, sleepless nights, final moments of nervous anticipation before the doors open. But that’s the magic of BETA Contemporary. Every detail — seen and unseen — is part of a story told with care.
la tendresa is on view till May 13, 2025 with the finissage on the same day.
