Barcelona Photoblog: February 2007

February 28, 2007

Barcelona Restaurants: Delicate Desserts at Escriba's

Raspberry Tartlet at Escriba's Barcelona
Raspberry Tartelette

I didn't know whether to photograph this delicate dessert at Escribá's, the famous restaurant by the beach in Barcelona, or devour it mercilessly. I think I will keep it somewhere safe in my digital photo album just in case someone needs this tart picture for the dessert menu.

Being in front of the sea in the afternoon, having a good paella and picking up the most tempting dessert from an assorted selection on a tray is like mana from the gods.

February 27, 2007

Catalan Modernisme: Ceiling at Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona

Catalan Modernisme: Ceiling at Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona


Also by Domenech i Montaner, the renowned representative of Catalan modernist architects, Hospital de Sant Pau is a small jewel frequently overlooked by tourists. 

This is the ceiling at the main entrance on the corner of Cartagena and Maria Claret streets. 

If you browse the labels you will find information about the architect and the Hospital.

February 26, 2007

Sitting by the Sea: Take your Turn

Sitting by the Sea: Take your Turn


Come rain come shine you always see someone laying on those concrete chairs facing the sea at Barcelona beach. Although they might look hard and uncomfortable they are pretty demanded so they'd better implement some kind of parking meter system nearby to make room for all. If you take a closer look notice that some of them really mean to stay for long. Maybe because it is winter I managed to find some empty chairs so I was about to run and stretch there till next summer.

February 25, 2007

Social Distortion

Social Distortion
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History repeating itself, deja vu, retro? Fashion comes and goes and the clothes of the fathers are now the "innest" stuff for the sons. Did that make us social distorted too then? Who is behind this design? A drinking skeleton, is that what they should become or are they referring to the state parents are in now after going on too many boozing sprees? Too many questions I know but I have been always intrigued by fashion and youngsters' striving for being completely distorted...hmmm, what a wonderful times we had!

Update: People portrayed in this picture has nothing to do with what is expressed as my own personal opinion in this article. This post has provoked different reactions, possibly because I am no expert as you can see in this matter. I was only referring to youth and fashion. In order to avoid misinterpretation and some wild opinions clearly out of place, comments will remain closed and those already accepted hidden. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to visitors or any people implied.

February 24, 2007

Spanish Souvenirs in Barcelona: A Canned Stereotype

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Of course a souvenir shop always tries to sell stereotyped products of the country or the city as this is precisely what tourists are prone to buy, unaware of other traits that you normally discover after a second or third visit. Spain is a multicolor, multilanguage, multiethnic and multi-everything nation and what is good for some parts of it is not applicable to the rest. It is a common cliché to think that we are all matadors, go around saying "ole" (we do but watching soccer matches) and dance flamenco in our spare time. Of course there are people for each and every ingredient in this melting pot, but remember not to mingle them no matter how idyllic it may look.

February 23, 2007

Absinthe Tête - à - Tête





How odd can a post about Barcelona be? How can you relate every single image you capture on those streets with the city? Well, sometimes it really gets tough. Of course you can always mention the place- carrer Princesa to be exact - and the neighborhood - Barri de La Ribera (next to Barri Gotic) -. But how do you make a liquor store pop up in the middle of the story? I don't know. I just wanted to take a picture of that little devil on the label of an Absinthe bottle, I just wanted the emerald colors of that spirit in my picture. Fortunately, it turned out that Absenta has a lot of history behind, that it originated in Switzerland, that it was some kind of elixir depicted as as an addictive, psychoactive drug in the XIX century and extracted from Absinth Wormwood, a medicinal plant. It became very popular in the Parisian district of Montmartre so it is commonly associated with artists. It was banned in the USA and Europe in the 20s and manufactured again by the end of last century. So you see, it is trendy, you can buy it right now in Barcelona, it was related to art and I was able to show it. I can't believe my luck. I just wanted that little green devil after all!

Update:


Absinthe and its Relationship with Artists

Absinthe is a highly alcoholic distilled spirit that has been associated with many notable artists and writers over the years. With an anise-flavored bitterness and purported psychedelic effects, absinthe has developed a reputation as a mysterious, dangerous, and addictive drink linked to creativity.

The Origins of Absinthe

Absinthe originated in Switzerland in the late 18th century. It is derived from botanicals including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium ("grand wormwood"), green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal herbs. The ingredient wormwood contains thujone, which was believed to be responsible for absinthe's purported effects. Modern scientific analysis has shown the thujone levels in authentic absinthe to be far lower than early estimates and unlikely to cause hallucinations. Nonetheless, the mystique and air of taboo created by these unfounded controversies contributed to absinthe's reputation as an intoxicant for artists and writers.

In the 19th century, absinthe grew in popularity and became ingrained in café culture in France. It was nicknamed "la fée verte" (the green fairy) and often featured in Impressionist paintings. Absinthe's high alcohol content (45–74% ABV) and role as an inexpensive recreational drink contributed to its popularity among young bohemian artists and writers in the late 1800s.

Controversy and Bans

At the turn of the 20th century, absinthe became controversial and was blamed for psychiatry issues, criminal behavior, and corrupting youth. Critics pointed to its frequent consumption by creative misfits as evidence of its potential dangers. The powerful wine industry also spread concerns about absinthe to help curb competition. This led to bans in many European countries starting in the early 1900s.

As mentioned above, Thujone was thought to cause psychedelic effects and was cited as the reason for absinthe's hazards. However, modern analysis shows thujone levels were too low to cause such effects.

Relationship with Artists and Writers

Many influential creative figures of the late 19th and early 20th century in France consumed absinthe, adding to its cultural mystique. Prominent artists like Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Pablo Picasso depicted absinthe in their works, often focusing on its relationship to bohemian café society. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec famously drank absinthe daily and it served as inspiration for his Postimpressionist paintings of café interiors.

Noted absinthe drinkers among the literary set included Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine, and Ernest Hemingway, who drank it daily while writing in Paris. Many are the paintings that make reference to absinthe. This association of absinthe with avant-garde writers and artists enhanced its perception as a creative elixir.

While many artists openly used absinthe, letting it influence their works, experts today dispute the notion that it has psychedelic properties inspiring unconventional thinking. The effects were likely stupefying rather than mind-opening. However, the aura of illicitness gave absinthe an alluring reputation for writers and artists going against the grain creatively.

Modern Revival and Consumption

Starting in the 1990s, revised EU laws led to a resurgence of absinthe as studies showed it was no more dangerous than other spirits. Traditional distilling methods revived, leading bars and distilleries to sell premium, authentic absinthe. The drink became popular once more, especially among creative communities drawn to its legacy.

Contemporary absintheurs have moved away from the bohemian excesses of the past. While absinthe retains its aura of creativity and decadence, devotees today focus more on savoring its flavors. In parts of France and Switzerland, absinthe rituals include dripping ice water over a sugar cube atop a slotted spoon into the spirit. This gradually dilutes and brings out complex herbal tastes.

Legacy in Art and Culture

Regardless of absinthe's actual effects, its green fairy mystique endures as a symbol of creativity, danger, and early counter-culture. The impassioned artists who embraced it continue to fuel absinthe's cultural legacy. For instance, the play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" fictionalizes Picasso and Einstein meeting in a Parisian absinthe bar in 1904, discussing genius and creativity.

References to absinthe persist in popular culture today, from movies like Moulin Rouge to paintings, songs, and literature. While regulated and safely consumed now, absinthe's aura of unconventionality pioneered by 19th century artists maintains its allure today. The drink's rich history ensures it endures as a creative muse inspiring continued fascination and works of art.

February 22, 2007

Francesc Cambó Monument in Via Layetana, Barcelona

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Today I show you the statue of Francesc Cambó by Victor Ochoa (1997). Cambó was the founder of La Caixa, one of the most powerful banks in Spain. The monument is just in front of the savings bank headquarters in Via Layetana, a 1917 building by Enric Sagnier. I have found this page called Barcelona Virtual with a pano of the little square and some other interesting 3D tours. It is just another sculpture but I liked the way the omnipresent pigeon added proportions to the statue in absence of other references in the image.

February 21, 2007

Modernist Letterbox at Casa de L'Ardiaca, Barri Gotic

Marble Letterbox, Casa de l'Arcadia in Barri Gotic, Barcelona
Letterbox, Casa de L'Arcadia, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

Off we go in an imaginary trip along the streets of Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter).

You are facing Barcelona Cathedral, climb the stairs and turn right on a narrow street called Santa Llúcia.

Suddenly you are right in front of Casa de l’Ardiaca, the Archdeacon's house. The building where the Municipal History Archives are since 1921, is made of two houses, being the other the Deacon's house or Casa Degá.

The first buildings date back from the XII century and were remodeled into a palace by Lluis Desplà, the Archdeacon, in 1520.

As a curiosity we should say that it was built against the Roman wall which you can see from the ground floor and that the interior patio lodges the famous fountain (used for Eucharist) with the floating egg known as l'Ou com balla in Catalan. On the façade of the Flamboyant Gothic palace we can admire this marble letterbox created by the Modernista architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner commissioned to decorate the building in 1902.

February 20, 2007

Barcelona Cathedral: Stained Glass Window

Barcelona Cathedral: Stained Glass Window
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This is one of the stained glass windows that can be admired inside the Barcelona Cathedral or Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia which I will resume soon with a more representative image and some historical background. In the meantime take a look at this appetizer, a little noisy perhaps, but with some intense colors.

February 19, 2007

A Mouse-Like Zebra Costume

A Mouse-Like Zebra Costume
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There are some pictures from last Friday, when I took some photographs in my daughter's school at random just to show you the funny costumes some kids designed for the occasion, like this zebra which in fact looks like a mouse to me!.

February 18, 2007

Carnival Masks in Barcelona

Multicolored Carnival Masks in Barcelona

Saturday was raining cats and dogs so I decided not to go to the Carnival parade. Today we went for a walk downtown and still could see costumes here and there or take shots of beautiful masks like these displayed in a shop in the Gothic Quarter or Barri Gotic. I took some more pictures in the area, not related to today's topic, which I will show you soon.

More about Carnival in Barcelona

February 17, 2007

Barcelona Carnival 2007: Feather Mask

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Carnival 2007 is on, today there will be a parade or Rua de Carnaval departing at 20:30 from carrer Gran de Gràcia/Plaça de Lesseps up to Als Jardinetes de Gràcia. There will be other parades but this will be the biggest. Schools like every year in Barcelona, organized their own carnestoltes where the strangest costumes could be seen. I took two scores of photographs of kids in assorted outfits but I was not expecting the cherry on top at the very end of yesterday's party, in my daughter's schoolyard. Mysteriouly and seductively, out of the blue, showed up this woman wearing an attractive smile behind an exuberant feather mask, like an illustrious lady travelling incognito on a secret affair during a Venetian Masquerade.

February 16, 2007

Stairway to Catalan Art Nouveau

Stairway to Catalan Art Nouveau
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If you look up under "palau" or "modernisme" blogger labels at the bottom of this post you will find information about famous Barcelona's Concert Hall i.e Palau de la Musica Catalana. You can find stunning samples of Catalan Art Nouveau or Modernisme in this building although you are not allowed to take pictures and show your friends. Maybe that's why my picture got a little blurry and I had to reinvent it a little bit to make worth (is it?).

February 15, 2007

Barcelona Beach: RACC Helicopter

Barcelona Beach: RACC Helicopter


During past Pirena 2007 dog show on the beaches of Barcelona I spotted this RACC helicopter. It called my attention that some fishermen were there already and didn't seem to be scared, in fact I thought it was risky for them. Given that you don't see copters landing on piers that often I took the snap and voilà. RACC stands for Real Automóvil Club de Catalunya, an association with more than a million affiliates, in fact it is the first insurance company in the car business in Spain. It is also related with the travel sector and widely known for organizing sports events such as rallies. I would like to talk about photography now, about the rule of thirds. Although obvious for many, we tend to forget it sometimes. It consists of tracing two sets of intersecting lines so we get a square in the middle of our image (some cameras have a grid). The subject should be in one of the corners of such box for emphasis. Another thing to bear in mind is the horizon line which can be aligned more or less with the top or the bottom of the square whether you want to highlight the upper part or the bottom of the image. Maybe I should have lower the camera a little bit!

February 14, 2007

Reflected on the Apple of my Eye

Reflected on the Apple of my Eye


First of all Happy St. Valentine! to all lovers in the world. It would be interesting to know which cities in our Daily photo group do not celebrate this day, if any!. Today I resume the reflections topic but this time on people eyes. Who better than the apple of my eye, my other love, my daughter Sara. Here is a closeup of hers by the beach in La Barceloneta.

February 13, 2007

Barcelona Mountains: An Electrifying City Landscape

Barcelona Mountains: An Electrifying City Landscape
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Three, a magical odd number. The three primary colors, The Holy Trinity, The Three Graces, Heaven, Hell and Limbo, The Three Stooges...can you think of any other?. Here is another rather ackward example, three power towers invading, polluting, contaminating the view over beautiful Barcelona. Why make it three and not two? Why not make it null, void, zero instead?.

February 12, 2007

Reflections in Heron City Barcelona

Reflections in Heron City Barcelona
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As I am sure there are some reflection fans among you I leave you with this glass panels in Heron City Barcelona. The leisure resort has been dealt with before in Barcelona Photoblog so please check Google labels for more information. I encourage everyone once again to participate in the AbsoluteLomo contest (rules in previous post this month) as I am extending deadlines two more weeks. Send any lomo pictures you have, old or new, to the Absolutelomo gallery and send me the link.

February 11, 2007

Ferrer i Guardia Monument in Montjuic

Francisco Ferrer i Guardia statue in Montjuic, Barcelona


This is a monument in honor of Francisco Ferrer i Guardia in Montjuic. It is one of the many sculptures scattered around these mountain paths. Francisco Ferrer i Guardia was one of those controverted characters in Catalan history. He was an anarchist and a teacher, arrested and executed without any proof by firing squad at Montjuic Fortress in Barcelona in October 13, 1909. 

Born in Alella, Catalonia, in 1859 from a Catholic family, he was known for his progressive and republican ideas and later on for his anarchist actions. Nonetheless he ended up creating what was known as Modern School in which by means of libertarian pedagogy pupils were taught in a different way of thinking that promoted reflection and rebellion against religious order. It was for this reason that his school was deemed a source of subversion and terrorism and although it was eventually closed he managed, after months in jail, to be acquitted and released. 

But his good fortune came to an end in 1909 when the Church falsely accused him of instigating a rebellion which led to attacks to convents and churches during the revolutionary events of the "Tragic Week" in Barcelona. King Alfonso XIII did not pardon him and Ferrer i Guardia was put to death by a firing squad in the Santa Amalia pit in the prison of Montjuic castle. 

This sculpture is a replica of an original in Brussels. Barcelona townhall, right after the II Republic in Spain, solicited that the Belgians sent the statue, to which they opposed in 1931. It was agreed then to make a copy and it wasn't till 1990 that such petition was finally carried out.

February 10, 2007

Barcelona Skyline: Magic Fountains of Montjuic

Barcelona Skyline: Magic Fountains of Montjuic
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This is what you can see from the top of the stairs, just next to the entrance to MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia). You don't see it but I am surrounded by tourists at the moment as this is a must see spot in Barcelona. The nearest underground station is Plaza Espanya named after the square right behind those two brick color towers. They act as the entrance to Barcelona Fair made up of a series of venues on both sides of the central walk. It was on this vast area where famous Barcelona International Exhibition took place in 1929. On the right hand side where the big red poster is, you see old Las Arenas bull ring undergoing a profound transformation into a top design leisure center. Notice the big cranes? A big cupola must go on top after they raised the whole coliseum above the ground with enormous jacks and metalic props!. In the foreground, the Magic Fountains of Montjuic, usually as dry as the Sahara desert but totally illuminated in September during the celebrations in honor of the patroness of the city, La Mercé. Check this Youtube video of Montjuic Magic Fountains too! Click on my Montjuic blogger label below to find out more about interesting places nearby. Nice weekend! Bon Weekend! Schönest wochenende!

February 09, 2007

Barcelona Cultural Heritage Vandalized

Barcelona Cultural Heritage Vandalized
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In yesterday's post I advanced the news published in El Periódico de Catalunya about the criminal acts against Barcelona's cultural heritage. I am talking about the important damage inflicted on one of the main symbols of Gaudi's legacy: The Lizard or Dragon fountain in Park Güell. There are larger pictures in this article via 20Minutos newspaper to compare with this snapshot from my archives. What are we going to show our kids? What goes wrong with society to breed such monsters? Do you think hitting with an iron bar on a beautiful thing is human?. This is not a mere incident, this is a consequence of our own mistakes. Shall we burn that hooligan in hell or shall we teach this kid before it is too late?

February 08, 2007

Barcelona Psychedelic Garden

Jazzy Yellow Flower in Barcelona Psychedelic Garden
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This jazzy yellow flower deserved some tweaking in Photoshop so why not give it a psychedelic mood to make it more artistic. As usual I need help to know the name of this specimen but the most important thing is its intrinsic beauty. I must confess that my fascination for photography is growing rapidly and every picture is taking me more and more time but I enjoy the process of creation like a child with a new box of color pencils and a white wall. Of course some people would have preferred the flower as such but then it would be just a static report of reality.
Recommended: An essay called Just say 'Yes' by Alain Briot, the famous landscape photographer whose tutorials I recommended here before. The author analyzes typical questions photographers have to hear often, such as “Do you manipulate your photographs?” or “Do you change the colors?” "Is this real?". For French readers I recommend his excellent site about high res photography Gallerie-Photo.

Latest News: Last Tuesday night, famous lizard fountain by Antoni Gaudi at the entrance of Parc Güell was destroyed by three vandals according to reports published today in El Periódico de Catalunya.

February 07, 2007

Carnival 2007 is Around the Corner

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Carnestoltes is almost here! Carnival 2007 (February 17th thru 21st) will start in a few days in Barcelona. Carnival comes from Latin carnem+levare (raise meat)in allusion to Lent, a period of sorrowful reflection to identify with Jesus' redemptive death. As you know these celebrations are deeply rooted in paganic rituals dating back to Roman times. Of course these two kids are unaware of that but traditions endure the past of time and there is a sort of wild call inside telling us that spring is coming soon so we have to celebrate, with flesh or without!. Now that Ash Wednesday is coming and we are talking about flesh, let's watch and listen to a wonderful song called Ashes to Ashes.

PS: Don't forget there are two Holga 120 CFN Color Flash Cameras for free in the ABSOLUTLOMO CONTEST! and anyone can participate.

February 06, 2007

Estrella Damm, Damm Good Catalan Beer

Estrella Damm, Damm Group Catalan Beer

One hundred and thirty forty years  is enough time for a beer to be prestigious and renown.

Founded in 1876, the Damm Beer Group has consolidated as one of the most solid beer brewers in Spain. The Catalan beer reinvents itself every year with aggressive and successful campaigns like the Monoblock 2006 and 2008 with Custo Barcelona among others or their sponsorship in many sports events especially soccer games.

Aside from other products sold by the group likeVoll-Damm, Inedit, Daura, Xibeca, Free Damm, Damm Lemon, Bock-Damm, AK Damm, Saar or Redeberger, it is Estrella Damm, by far, the most popular beer in Catalan bars. 

Such is the popularity that instead of saying 'a beer please', you say 'give me a Estrella'. Moritz, an old competitor, has regained position in the market in the last years. But there is an enormous list of crafted beers made in Catalonia that are knocking at the door of consumers and that are by far, much more pleasant if you are into finding new flavors. We old buddies from the block gathering around the counter are still fond of classic stuff, be it because of quality, tradition or commercials.

Here is a full view of the Damm brewery  and a link to the Damm Group Site and the Estrella Damm web site where you can learn about its history or watch their gallery.


February 05, 2007

Catalan Romanesque: Wood Carving

Catalan Romanesque: Wood Carving
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The Virgin with Child, a wood carving quite common in old churches around Catalonia like the one I visited this weekend in Gualba de Dalt about 30 or 40 minutes away from Barcelona city by car. To learn more about Catalan Romanesque, visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). The quality of the image is not good but I like it. The hieratic figures, the roses that look like brush strokes and the light give the image a special mood (in my opinion of course).

February 04, 2007

Pieta in Gualba de Dalt, Barcelona Province

Pieta in Gualba de Dalt, Barcelona Province
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Better to publish late than not to publish at all. This is what is known as a Pietà, that is, the Virgin holding the dead body of Christ. It is located in the romanesque church of a town called Gualba de Dalt in the province of Barcelona. Gualba is part of the Natural Park of Montseny.

February 03, 2007

Catalan Modernisme: Lamp at Palau de la Música

Catalan Modernisme: Lamp at Palau de la Música
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I am going to be brief today, it is Saturday and we have to enjoy the real world! Just in case you can't quit the habit I leave you this lamp, an elaborate example of Catalan Art Nouveau or Modernisme hanging inside our famous concert hall Palau de la Musica. Although beautiful as such, I thought it was better to use some tone mapping with an HDR program and thus enhance the design in the ceiling, the glass, the wood and of course the lamp. Have a nice weekend!

February 02, 2007

Catalan Architecture: Balcony at Plaza Catalunya

Catalan Architecture: Balcony at Plaza Catalunya


Here is a detail of the Casa Bosch Alsina balcony at the intersection of Rambla de Catalunya and Ronda Universitat (Plaza Catalunya 8), just next to H10 Catalunya Plaza Hotel. To get a better idea see Casa Bosch Alsina balcony in Google maps street view.

PS: Don't forget there are two Holgas for free in the ABSOLUTLOMO CONTEST! and anyone can participate.

February 01, 2007

Barcelona Waterfront: Hotel Arts and Mapfre Tower

Barcelona Waterfront: Hotel Arts and Mapfre Tower


Here is a dusk image of the walk in front of Barcelona's Olympic Village. On the right you can see the Mapfre Tower, which is an office building and Hotel Arts. In the background the famous El peix d'or (Gold Fish), by Frank O.Ghery and on the left from this point on, a leisure area full of restaurants, always plenty of tourists, with good, bad and very bad restaurants.

I apologize for any inconvenience Blogger might cause you whenever you try to access my archives. I had in mind to change topic and call it "Shame on Blogger" but they don't deserve that much attention. Now there is a major bug in the beta bloggers' pages, something called error code bX-vjhbsj, which either won't let you see archives or crash the whole site. Unbelievable in this day and age and so far after many thousands of claims yet unsolved, and worse, not even faced in public by staff.

Now, changing subject...today was the theme day in the City Daily Photo group. It is about " What really annoys you in your city". Obviously my image is not related (it must be that I like everything :), but I highly recommend you browse this list to find real curious things and of course to support all the effort behind our daily work.


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