Like many of his projects, this latest intervention by urban artist SpY tends to take you by surprise, presenting everyday things in a way you wouldn’t expect. For the unexpected – take a major European plaza, where people move about quickly, and install a large swath of grass right in the middle!

That’s just what SpY did with his project Grass staged in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor to mark its 400th anniversary. Instead of bustling around and moving quickly through the space, more than 100,000 people sat, played with and enjoyed the plaza like never before. Tourists and locals alike were confronted with a new freedom, one that arguably only nature can grant. The circular swath of grass enveloped the square and changed its context. In the middle of the commotion, an equestrian sculpture oversees the festivities — perhaps even he appears to be having more fun.

The circle spans a total of 3500 square meters, stretching out a diameter of 70 meters. From an aerial perspective, we see a green dot stand out among the earthy red tones of the Spanish landscape. It appears soothing even from this distance.iamge4

In the meandering streets of Madrid, SpY seeks to offer a kind of sanctuary and exploration for the many city inhabitants. Grass’ texture is so conducive to relaxation that it becomes the perfect way to change the dialogue and allow passersby to occupy the floor. Sadly, the installation only stayed for a few days – but who knows where the next green circle may appear!