Villa Tabaiba, a remarkable architectural creation located amidst the sun-drenched dunes of Corralejo, serves as a profound expression of artistic liberty. This unconventional dwelling, once envisioned by a minimalist architect, has been meticulously reshaped into an enthralling, open-air gallery by the visionary artist Carlos Calderón Yruegas. Its exterior, a dynamic tapestry of vibrant mosaics and imaginative sculptures fashioned from salvaged mannequins, seamlessly blends the whimsical with the profound. The property's lush gardens are populated with both living flora and static figures, each contributing to an atmosphere that oscillates between peaceful retreat and a stage for the surreal. This living artwork, continuously evolving under Yruegas's hand, beckons visitors to ponder the intricate relationship between human ingenuity and the natural world, while providing a captivating spectacle for those with an adventurous spirit.
The transformation of Villa Tabaiba from a conventional abode into a sprawling artistic installation is the life's work of Carlos Calderón Yruegas, a Seville-born architect who embarked on a radical departure from his minimalist design roots. After dedicating decades to the structured principles of minimalism, Yruegas allowed himself an uninhibited exploration of creativity. What began as a lighthearted endeavor evolved into an intricate, multi-decade artistic journey, where every architectural detail, every window, and every sculpted form carries a deeper meaning or a playful quirk. He fondly refers to it as his personal sanctuary for creative expression, though those who encounter it often describe it as an expansive, eccentric museum enveloped in a dreamlike tropical setting.
The villa's vibrant garden is a microcosm of Yruegas’s unique artistic vision, where verdant plant life intermingles with an array of static figures, many ingeniously crafted from repurposed mannequins. Here, a hand emerges from the earth to clasp a bell, while towers adorned with glass circles reach towards the sky. Tiled creatures, almost as if in hushed conversation, peek from behind the dense foliage, contributing to the villa’s enchanting allure. The space simultaneously functions as a tranquil haven and a theatrical set for surrealist narratives, a place where tranquility coexists with an undercurrent of untold stories and imaginative metaphors. Despite its frequent quietude, the very air within Villa Tabaiba seems to pulsate with narrative, symbolism, and a delightful touch of eccentricity.
As of 2025, Carlos Calderón Yruegas, now in his seventies, continues to nurture and expand this dynamic and ever-evolving artistic endeavor. Villa Tabaiba transcends the conventional definition of a home; it stands as an autonomous artistic realm within the island, a place where the boundaries of conventional logic gracefully dissolve, and artistic expression thrives in magnificent, unbridled freedom.
This captivating estate, with its striking fusion of art and architecture, stands as a testament to the transformative power of imagination, offering a truly distinctive experience that defies categorization.