Three imposing esparto-woven tuna, each measuring 3.2 meters, hang today in the lobby of the Daia Slow Beach Hotel in Conil de la Frontera (Cádiz). This is a work imbued with sensitivity that we created on commission from the hotel design studio Verum, symbolizing the connection between this coastal region and the majestic Atlantic bluefin tuna.

The hotel’s name, Daia, is a nod to the name of the Greek goddess, Mother Earth, GAIA, suggesting the intimate relationship between the sea, the sun, and human beings. This five-star hotel offers guests a lifestyle philosophy that connects with the calm and kindness of nature. This concept also served as the guiding thread for the entire interior design project carried out by the Verum studio, which commissioned us to create marine animals made of natural fibers to bring the lobby to life and complement the hotel’s sustainable design and “slow life” philosophy.

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"The giant esparto tuna play a central role in connecting with local life, the fishermen, and the cuisine of this region"

Upon receiving the proposal at Sagarminaga Atelier, we decided to focus on a particular marine species: the Atlantic bluefin tuna, one of the Atlantic’s most iconic and powerful creatures, which can weigh up to 700 kg and reach speeds of 90 km/h. For their design and production, we developed innovative construction techniques that allowed us to create large-scale sculptures, ensuring that, despite their size, they would be lightweight and easy to transport. Furthermore, each of the three tuna features subtle differences, reflecting the diversity and uniqueness of living beings. The braiding and stitching of the esparto grass, along with the interplay of its colors, gives the tuna a handcrafted look that exudes the utmost exclusivity.

The installation of these sculptures in the hotel’s grand lobby was carefully planned by Sagarminaga Atelier. The goal was for them—despite their large size—to give the impression of floating, or rather, gliding through the space, as if they were part of an immense imaginary ocean that envelops visitors as they enter.

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