Caravana: A Thousand Mile Journey

In 2023 I had the privilege to interview an artist who, at the time, challenged my notions of abstraction and the synergy that existed in the liminal space between physical movement and digital environments. That artist was none other than Lisanne Haack.

For those unfamiliar, Haack is a Brazilian-born, Barcelona-based artist whose practice bridges the tactile intensity of oil painting with the fluid possibilities of digital media. With a background in architecture, design, and visual composition, her abstract works explore rhythm, color, and spatial tension, often blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual forms.

Two years later, and now a co-founder of Caravana — a new itinerant and collaborative exhibition project, debuting this weekend in Barcelona, Spain — alongside Douglas McCurdy and Flavio Malaguti, Haack extends her practice into collective experimentation.

Caravana was conceived not just as an exhibition, but as a movement — one that weaves together artists across borders and mediums to create experiences that are adaptive, hybrid, and inclusive. Through both her individual works and her leadership in Caravana, Haack invites audiences to engage with abstraction as a living, evolving language

Being a recipient of the 2025 Bonk Art Master’s Art Ambassador Grant, I sat down with Lisanne once again, to discuss both the itinerant project and her role in its inception. The following is a written interview that gives a rich depth of insight into both Haack and Caravana, on the eve of its grand debut.

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Origin & Vision

Caravana presents itself as more than an exhibition — a movement and a continuous spiral. How do you personally define that vision, and what compelled you to co-create this project?

“For me, Caravana comes from the idea that artists don’t stay fixed; we go through phases, and those shifts define us as much as the works themselves. The project is rooted in that: giving space for transitions, supporting artists when they’re moving into something new, and inspiring them to keep following their own path. It’s not about being locked into one gallery or format. Caravana is more of a continuous spiral, always adapting, moving, and finding new ways to connect artists with audiences.”

Collaboration & Community

As one of the founding artists, how do you balance your individual practice with the collaborative, artist-driven ethos of Caravana?

“Balancing my own practice with Caravana feels natural because collaboration within different mediums and people has been part of how I think. Even before being a full-time artist, I was drawn to the whole journey around art, the idea, the execution, the presentation, and the way people experience it before, during, and after.

Caravana extends that. It’s not only about putting works on walls but about building an environment where artists can share those deeper layers of their practice. For me, it feels like completing a circle, bringing my personal approach into a collective space that gives others the same chance.”

Barcelona Edition

This first edition takes place in Barcelona, your home base. How has the city — its culture, light, and community — influenced the way this debut has been shaped?

“I feel incredibly honored that the first edition happens in Barcelona; this city has shaped me in so many ways. Back when I was studying architecture, Barcelona was the place that inspired me most, and it’s why I decided to move here after Germany. I connected with its light, colors, and rhythm.

On a practical level, it made sense too since both Flavio and I are based here; it gave us more control over the organization and technical details. But beyond logistics, Barcelona is a city in constant movement, with its history of art and its international flow.”

Lisanne Hack during their art Basel Residency

Medium & Hybridity

Your work navigates between oil on canvas and digital creation. How do these dual practices inform each other, and how does Caravana provide a space for both to coexist?

“I’ve never believed in limiting myself to one tool. Each medium brings something different, and the more you experiment, the more your language grows. For me, the visual result is always central, but my style evolves as I move between oil, digital, VR, or sculpture.

Caravana is a reflection of that mindset. I’ve been deeply involved in web3 over the past years, and it opened doors that I couldn’t have imagined. But I also came to realize how much value there is in the traditional, academic side of art (something I avoided early in my career), but now appreciate for the discipline, critique, and depth it offers. Both perspectives are essential, and they don’t cancel each other out, they enrich one another.

That’s what we wanted to bring into Caravana: a space where these worlds can meet, where artists can not only create in both digital and physical mediums, but present the whole journey. Every layer, from a digital rendering to the texture of a canvas, adds to the story. And that’s what makes it feel relevant right now.”

The Role of Space

Caravana is itinerant and adaptive. How does the physical space in Barcelona influence the works you’re showing and the way audiences will experience them?

“I enjoy when a space challenges me because it pushes me to think differently about how art is presented. I guess that’s still the architect in me. For Caravana, the gallery in Barcelona gave us exactly that: the opportunity to bring together very different artists and styles while still creating a sense of harmony. It wasn’t about fitting into a fixed mold but about finding the rhythm between works and ideas. The fact that the gallery itself is so open to cultural and experimental projects gave us room to play and test things out. Being right in the center of Barcelona, surrounded by architecture and energy, only added more layers to how the exhibition will be experienced.”

Highlight Work

Is there a particular piece you’re presenting in Caravana that feels like a milestone in your practice, or one that embodies the spirit of the exhibition?

“It’s hard to choose because the works reflect different phases of my journey, but if I had to pick one, it would be the sculptures. Moving from VR sculpting into physical, hand-finished pieces was a huge step for me. It forced me to work with patience, to test materials, to embrace trial and error, a process that reminded me of my early days learning oil painting. My paintings now feel more refined, more “mature,” but the sculptures brought back that childlike excitement of discovering something new.

That mix of maturity on one side and fresh curiosity on the other feels like the perfect spirit for launching Caravana.”

Challenges & Opportunities

Launching a collective project like Caravana must come with hurdles. What have been the most challenging aspects of bringing this debut to life, and what have been the most rewarding?

“Even with many collabs behind me, I tend to mostly work independently, so taking on a collective project meant shifting how I operate. At first it was challenging to adjust; decisions, timing, ideas, everything is shared. But that’s also what made it rewarding.

Working with other artists and my co-founders opened new ways of thinking and brought ideas I wouldn’t have reached alone. It’s a learning process, but the exchange of perspectives has been one of the most fulfilling parts of Caravana. It showed me how collaboration can actually make everyone grow faster.”

Future Pathways

Looking ahead, how do you envision Caravana evolving as it travels to new places, and how do you see your own artistic journey developing in parallel with it?

“Caravana is not a one-off exhibition, it’s a movement, and it won’t stop in Barcelona. I see it evolving into residencies, exchanges, talks, and exhibitions in different countries, always adapting to new contexts and new communities. It’s about creating opportunities and showing that artists can take control, build their own paths, and do things on their own terms.

Personally, I see my journey developing in parallel: refining my painting, pushing my sculptures further, and continuing to merge the digital and physical in new ways. Above all, I hope Caravana keeps expanding as a project by artists and for artists.”

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“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, said once the transcendental Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. A poignantly succinct quote that brings two points to the forefront, as it relates to Haack’s words throughout this conversation. Firstly, in embarking on a vision as ambitious and grounded as Caravana, this debut is an emblematic step towards the miles destined to be travelled — both literally and figuratively.

Secondly, this interview served to emphasize the vast distances already traveled by Lisanne since our first discussion in 2023’s Colliding Realms interview.

Lisanne Haack, alongside Douglas McCurdy and Flavio Malaguti are prime examples of the power both ideas and collaboration possess, when paired with work ethic and a relentless commitment to excellence. As assistant director of the Bonk Art Master’s Grant Program, it is an honor to witness the work that’s led to this moment.

Caravana’s first edition will be going live, September 19th through the 21st, at Carrer de Buenaventura Munoz, 6, Ciutat Vella, 08018, Barcelona, Espana.