An unlikely story…

Yellow has shown us, that, unlikely though it may seem, it is absolutely possible to create an amazing experience online, with people who have never met in-person.

This made us wonder what becomes possible when they do...

Yellow in 3D

To explore that question, in 2022 we started running Yellow events.

The first of these was the (small scale) ‘Walk and Talk’.

The second was more expansive and ambitious. We called it ‘3D Yellow’. It is our version of an ‘unconference’.

It was a blast, so we did it again in 2023.

The next edition of 3D Yellow will happen in Spain (at Dehesa La Serna) from 26th to 30th June 2024.

What will happen at 3D Yellow?

At 3D Yellow, each day, we will provide some stimulus, and from there, hold and craft an emergent process, much like a regular Yellow session.

We will use what we have and see what wants to happen. Each day will be different and will be co-created with the people who are there.

Being physically together will allow us to create more layers and strands, that unfold and evolve, during the course of each day.

There will be the opportunity for physical, artistic, embodied, creative and cognitive activities.

We will also build in ‘empty’ spaces and fallow time for reflection and relaxation.

Everyone will be invited to offer ideas – of what they would like to do or explore but no-one will be required to do anything.

We will hold and marshal the space and see what flows through it. The stimulus will include:

The place itself – 1500 acres of land with forests and trails, an ancient house, gardens and pools…
The people who come – both previous Yellow participants and collaborators and people new to Yellow.
Questions we bring – some of these may be identified in advance, others will arise spontaneously.
Materials – everything from books, to light and sound equipment, dressing up materials or corrugated cardboard and chicken wire.

Where will 3D Yellow take place?

3D Yellow will be held at Dehesa de la Serna, Avila, Spain. It is an ancient estate with 1500 acres of land, a holm oak forest, a 17th century house and gardens and a regenerative, organic beef farm run by Rob’s wife Bea (who’s family have owned La Serna since 1931). Rob has been running events of many different kinds there for over 25 years and knows the magic it can create.

See below for more pictures.

Accommodation

The accommodation will be in mostly shared rooms in the various buildings, with 2-3 people per room. There are a coupe of single occupancy rooms available. And there will be a couple of large tents/tipis that will be host 2-3 people.

Price

The price for a ticket depends on the accommodation option chosen:

Single room: €2,500
Shared room: €1,350
Shared glamping tent: €900

The price includes accommodation, meals, and transport to and from Madrid airport.

Activity spaces

There are a wealth of indoor and outdoor spaces. They include spacious stone-walled rooms (both furnished and empty), a patio with a fountain, lawns, 17th century pools, forest clearings, an aqueduct and even a medieval ice pit (the ancient version of a fridge).

Food and drink

We will provide all meals using fresh local produce (organic where possible – including beef from the La Serna farm for those who eat it). There will be a paying bar.

Dates and timing

3D Yellow will run from Wednesday 26th June to Sunday 30th June 2024.

As mentioned there will be no programme as such, which means that you can come for part of the time if you wish.

Though we imagine most people will come for the whole time, it will be possible for you to arrive, or leave at any point, if that suits you (though this will mean you will have to get yourself to La Serna).

The ticket price will be proportionate to the time you spend with us.

A source of inspiration – Carmen Sanfiz Alvaro

Since 1931, Dehesa de la Serna has belonged to Rob’s wife’s family. He says:

“When I first came to Spain, Bea’s grandmother Carmen (Memén to the family) would set up her household at La Serna for the summer months and family and friends would come and go as they pleased. At the time I lived and worked in Madrid, so I would ride out on my motorbike, and stay over for a few days at a time, as suited me.”

This was part of the inspiration for 3D Yellow. The idea that people can dip into as much or as little as interests them, as they do for Sidestreams, coming and going as they please instead of following a fixed programme seemed very Yellow – a way to take our idea of ‘responsive design’ and see how that would work for an event. So 3D Yellow is a new expression of an old idea.