What if walls could talk? Casa Planas would narrate tales of Mallorca’s transformation. It would speak of sun-kissed beaches and the dawn of mass tourism.
Casa Planas stands as more than just a building. It is a cultural center born from a vision. Artist Marina Planas founded it in 2015. Her goal was to create a space for contemporary creation. She envisioned a place to interpret tourism’s impact on the Balearic Islands.
This non-profit project spans 2400 square meters. It houses 17 artists’ studios and an events room. Casa Planas also offers coworking spaces. But its true treasure lies within its photographic archive.
The Planas Archive is the most important of its kind in Europe. It chronicles the beginnings of mass tourism. Imagine three million images. Postcards, negatives, posters all tell a story. These visuals capture the era from 1940 to 1970. Most images depict the Balearic Islands. Yet, there are also glimpses of Catalonia and international scenes.
Josep Planas i Montanyà was the man behind the lens. He captured the Balearic Islands’ allure in the 50s and 60s. He was a pioneer in tourist postcards. He was also an early adopter of aerial photography. Arriving in Mallorca in 1942, he became a photography entrepreneur. He was the first European photographer to use a helicopter for aerial shots. His images circled the globe on tourist postcards. He spread the island’s beauty far and wide. Josep Planas founded Casa Planas.
Since 2017, Casa Planas hosts an Art Investigation Programme. This international residency aims to reawaken the photographic archive. Artists creatively explore this vast collection.
Casa Planas is located in Josep Planas Montanyà’s former offices. It’s also in his old laboratories. He was an entrepreneur and photographer. He documented the Balearic Islands’ tourist boom. This boom happened in the second half of the 20th century.
Today, Casa Planas organizes talks and workshops. Exhibitions and gatherings for art professionals take place here. Educators, academics, students, and the public are all welcome. The center fosters creativity and critical thinking.
Casa Planas is a place where art meets history. It is a space where the past informs the present. As we stand here, remember Josep Planas. Remember his vision. He not only captured images. He shaped how the world saw Mallorca. He showed the beginning of tourism on the island. Casa Planas keeps this legacy alive.