Giants in Catalonia: The Eagle

This is a detail of an eagle, the eagle that represents the city. Yes, it is not a closeup on a small adornment but a figure taller than me (anyone of course!) which can be admired among other giants in the Palau de la Virreina building at La Rambla, 99. This is the original figure from 1999 by Xavier Jansana. You can also see its replica at the popular site known as La Casa dels Entremesos. 

Long ago in medieval times when theater and religion used to go hand in hand in the form of mystery plays staged in the streets, giants began to play an important role in Catalan towns. One of them was the figure of L'Aliga (eagle). In spite of not being as tall as the rest of the figures, the animal was a symbol of the corresponding city and its municipal authorities, thus the crown, and was mainly used to receive important personalities that came into town. The eagle is often holding a white pigeon in the menacing beak. There was a time when the pigeon was alive and was to be eaten by participants later on. 

L'Aliga is the only giant that is allowed to dance before the altar in church and there are specific procedures to observe when walking her in processions.

Tango Dancers in Las Ramblas, Barcelona

After some hieratic figures of human statues I decided to show you the tango dancers of Las Ramblas, Barcelona. They definitely make up a much more dynamic image. There isn't much to say here, only that you can find them almost at the end of the street near the sea, more or less next to the wax museum alley. The middle sidewalk along Las Ramblas seems to be less crowded in that area and some interesting quick performances take place. I was lucky to find a YouTube video with the same couple dancing in Las Ramblas, it is called Tango Dans La Rue

Human Statue in Las Ramblas, Barcelona: Elf or Vulcan?

Elf, Goblin, or Vulcan?

Yet another human statue in Las Ramblas! I sometimes wonder how many of them this street can hold. I caught this particular performer recently, and honestly, I can't really tell what character he is supposed to be. Is he an elf? A goblin? Or maybe a Vulcan like Mr. Spock from the Star Trek saga, given those pointed ears?

You know, it is hard to pin this guy down. If he were an Elf, you would expect a bit more grace, maybe a longing look at the forests of Middle-earth rather than the pavement of Barcelona. If he were a Vulcan, he should be raising a logical eyebrow at our messy human emotions and giving us the "Live Long and Prosper" salute. And Goblins? Well, they are usually the mischievous troublemakers of the fantasy world, scruffy and chaotic, not quite as noble-looking as this silver gentleman. But honestly, under that thick layer of metallic paint, the lines between sci-fi and fantasy get a little blurry!

The Stare Beyond the Crowd

At the moment I took this shot, he wasn't technically "working." In fact, just moments before, he was smoking and had this completely vacant stare into space, looking way beyond his future customers. I bet he was thinking about what a grind this job can get to be sometimes.

But then he seemed to sigh and started finishing his makeup. From the point of view of people photography, I find these artists make a much more striking picture before or after they pose. It is in that precise moment—when they drop the act—that they reveal their true personalities and their souls.