Walking through the Ramblas this morning I came across a sign in huge white letters; simple font on a black background- it read:
-With security cameras, mobile messaging, facebook, twitter -and google maps tracking our every move, we have managed to create a society that not only promotes interaction with one another but charts our every move. We are quick to sign up to every single website that is “all the rage”, clicking the user agreement box and ignoring the fine print, just to save time (at least I do).
With all this technology readily available at our fingertips- now more than ever is George Orewll’s timeless classic 1984 so appropriately insynch with the times.
Across the world, our culture capitals have evolved into interatcive platforms. Plazas that bombard us with ads; parks that have become wireless zones. Cites that now closely resemble video games, instead of the agoras of public interaction and debates that were so common years ago. The private has become public and no matter how hard we try we can’t escape the watchful eyes of each other. The citizen is now fast resembling an Orwellian citizen. A one man machine- chronicling the ebbs and flows of the streets and pulse of the concrete jungle.
Yet, where does all this information go?
Where is all this data going? Who is watching the watchers?
Actor Tim Robbins and his theatre group “The Actor’s Gang” have taken over the -TEATRO POLIORAMA- , on the Ramblas, to stage the a limited run of the adaptation of George Orwell’s classic futuristic novel, 1984.
Robbins has not only chosen BARCELONA as the background for where the story unfolds, but has also done some interesting market research on the streets of “La Cuidad Condal”.
Orwell’s ties to Barcelona run deep- his love for the city and respect for it’s anti-facist ways had always facinated the writer, leading him to call Barcelona his home during the spanish civil war. His passion for the voice of the people, prompted him to write: Homage To Catalonia a chronicle recording the will of the city against a regime that grew strong before their very eyes.
In a twist of irony the George Orwell Plaza located in the Gothic Quarter remains under tight suppervision by Big brother himself- security cameras. A fact that Orwell himself would find mind blowing.
With 73% of Catalans not finding anything wrong -with the digital repression , that has slowly infiltrated our streets, we take one-step closer to a future that not even Orwell could have imagined.
The play which begins tonight, aims to stimulate an important conversation and encourage the people of Barcelona to think about whether they really are perfectly happy being watched over by their elected officials.
Teatro Grec- Fiesta La Merce 09
If ”design” is your drug of choice; then look no further for a supplier.
Barcelonetta 13:30
Influenced by the sounds of bands such as The Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Client, Ladytron, Tiga, Soulwax and many others have defenitley left their mark on Obilique’s style and it is reflected in their unmistakable personal look and style.
Photos by_David Naveira
The club brings a touch of Rock & Roll edge to the hotel by dressing up the space with embossed black latex wallpaper, louis XIV chairs, red velvet drapes, and walls littered with mug shots of rock and roll royalty. Unisex bathrooms are the norm and come equiped with chalkboard walls to help you pass the time -writing or drawing while you wait in line.
Barcelona Fashion Week, drew to a close on Friday, after a week of star studded front rows, gift bags, air kisses, and after-parties. The glitterati turned out in full force to support 080 BCN Fashion Week. After the announcement earlier this year to pack up the now infamous Bread & Butter show, and take it back to Berlin, Fashion junkies were in a desperate need for a quick fix. Picking up where Bread & Butter left off BCN Fashion Week is shaping to be a force to reckon with. With the city supporting it’s latest addition to the international scene, 080 has now become the ugly step sister that’s name is on everybody lips. Taking over Pavilion 8, designers for all over Europe showed at the years fashion week all vying for attention in a market dominated by Madrid. One of the most original Catalan designers that Showed this year was Miriam Ponsa. Showing an incredibly minimal and chic collection, her muted tones and ethereal music reflected her collection simply titled :”Les Trementinaires” Inspired by the traveling healers who wandered Europe in the mid 19th Century, these traveling pharmacies became the way to bring medicinal plants to the far corners of the continent. With mint and lavender placed on the first few rows the smell tinted the air already thick in excitement for the latest of Catalan designers whose work as already permeated Japan, Norway, Italy and Saudi Arabia
In 2008 Tomas Tarruella and his partner Rosa Maria Esteva packed their bags and took 16 of their employees on a trip of a lifetime through the Orient on a journey to inspire them recreate the mystery and elegance of the Cantonese culture and cuisine.
