Last Chance to see CLOWNATION

2 Mar

If you are an art collector, or simply looking for one of a kind work by original artists you have two more days to catch the amazing pieces currently hanging on the walls of  Artevistas, one of Barcelona’s best galleries to catch emerging artists. The exhibit ends on March 6.

The “CLOWNATION” exhibition of BONET & JORCO is one not to be missed! Consisting of a series of large canvases done with 4 hands by artist Alejandro Bonet (BONET) and Jordi Colonques (JORCO).

The artists distort reality by applying  a comical filter inspired by circus characters. Using images from the headlines and everyday life; no subject is spared when taking paintbrush to canvas. Their harsh look at modern society and reinterpretation using an aesthetic language of grotesque comedy makes their work intriguing.

From Madonna to the Pope-  BONET & JORCO clownify the images ripped from the tabloids and show us a different side of the images that are presented to us as “reality”.

 

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The word “clownie” is the final result of the transformation process or, if we may be allowed the neologism, what results from a “clownisation”.

 By presenting the circus clown or jester as caricatures that greatly exaggerate the subject’s traits the result is a transparency  that clarifies  intentions and demonstrate their motives. The beauty lays in the  paradox that, while disguised as a clown, the  person ends up revealing their true personality…
 

By combining their talents on one canvas, but in two separate cities Bonet & Jorco feed off of each others creativity by adding to each picture their own signature touch. To find out more about these artists take a look at the behind the scenes video. or swing by artevistas for a firsthand look at Barcelona’s most original artists.

GALERIA ARTEVISTAS-Passatge del Crèdit nº4
08002 Barcelona, Spain
935 130 465

 

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Saturday Night at Cabaret Berlin with David Delfin and Bimba Bose

1 Mar

Every Saturday night  hundreds of locals line up around the block from C/Bailen 22, Barcelona’s most notorious address, a space that has a long-standing association with pleasure and vice. It is only natural that a building with such a sordid history would be the best place to host Silvia Prada’s glam fest known as ” Who’s The Boss”. A magnet for creatives, musician,models and  artists. The night manages to bring together a healthy dose of fashionistas, clubkids and the people who follow their every move all under one roof.

  

PR gurus  Xavier de Balaguer & Alejandro Mateo manage to work the door with a warm smile and open arms for the long list of  VIP’s which hold court on the various sofas around the club. I scored an invite with strict instructions from Alejandro to be there before 2am to avoid waiting in line. At 1.30 am the line was already forming the secret to Cabaret Berlin success is the ability captures the very essence of  Barcelona- a place where highbrow mixes with lowbrow  under the lights of the dance floor.

 Upon entering the space, you are transplanted to a world with no boundaries  part Cabaret / part Studio 54, the disco ball turns and the club becomes a meeting point for Barcelona’s most outrageous personalities  all with one thing in common - the need to stand out.

 

Bimba Bose & David Delfin

Bimba's Red Bull Shoes

This weekly party has become one of the most sought after tickets due to the fantastic DJ’s which have taken the stage and have spun for the masses. Which is why it peaked my curiosity when I saw an ad announcing  David Delfin (Fashion Designer) & Bimba Bose (The Cabriolets) spinning together this past Saturday. Their set a heavy rotation of early 90′s house with classics by Massive attack and Bjork set the tone for a NYC style night of B-sides and an eclectic mix of grooves that kept Bimba’s winged shoes bouncing all night long.

Bimba & David

Pelayo Diaz

 

Artistic director GINA BURDEL, makes the rounds sipping  her cocktail and making sure the vibe is right while the cast of characters pour through the door. Air kisses are handed out like candy and everyone is on the list. For a glimpse into the people who make the party check out the slide show below.

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At 3am I bump into Alejandro -dressed impeccably, he dabs his forehead with a napkin smiles and says “I think we underestimated the turnout, the line is around the block”. In a flash he’s gone again and out to the front  door of the club in order to make sure everything is going smooth. As the night continues this party turns up the volume and tears down the walls blending genres and creating an original vibe that is sure to make you smile and take it to the dance floor.

CABARET BERLIN- C/Bailén 22; 08010 Barcelona

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La Foto Del Dia

27 Feb

El Duque de Via Laietana

 

Image By: David Naveira

Language School Recaps Barcelona In 2 min

23 Feb

 

Making the rounds on Tumblr, this video short film directed by Gustav Johansson and produced by Camp David shows off the aspects of what most people who arrive in Barcelona for the first time experience. 

…sure it leaves out the beer vendors in Plaza Catalunya, the drunken stumble home from the Raval at 6am and the naked man who parades down the Barceloneta with only a tattooed speedo.  But all in all, it does a great job of capturing the energy of a city constantly in motion.

This beautifully edited  three-part series (Beijing, London, Barcelona) titled “Live The Language”  was commissioned by the Language school -EF and  is a great example of advertising done properly.

Credits:

Commercial for EF Language Schools.

Directed by Gustav Johansson
D.P: Niklas Johansson
Typography: Albin Holmqvist
Music: Magnus Lidehäll
Produced at Camp David

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La Foto Del Dia- Tibidao

13 Feb

Photo by David Naveira

 

At the top of Tibidabo religion and entertainment meet at 512 meters above sea level- fun for the whole family…

Get A Sneak Peek At The New Ohla Hotel In Barcelona

11 Feb

Luxury has come to Via Laietana and in true Barcelona fashion, the neighbors are already talking. Walking home today I discovered that after  almost two years of construction number 49 has been reborn as a 5 star property at the top of Barcelona’s artery.

Peeling away the paper and putting on its finishing touches, the hotel staff is in place and the locals are stopping in their tracks and gawking at the newest kid on the block.

The staff seems to be genuinely excited and the buzz is spreading. When going inside for a closer look, I was told the soft opening will be held tomorrow. Owned by a private group, this will mark the second hotel, the other being further up the coast. In a city where press releases are issued to anounce the opening of an envelope, one has to wonder how details about this hotel have been kept so quiet. One thing is for sure if they manage to pull it together this could be the next “it” hotel. The location is fantastic and will sure to be a hit among the glitterati since the Palau de Musica is only steps away and pre theatre drinks are limited to crowded local bars.

The hotel  seems a bit out-of-place for two main reasons.  Surrounded by grey buildings the well-lit interior shines bright on an avenue that is usually shuttered up after 9pm. The second is the strange eyeballs/Security camera which have sprung from its facade- a strange choice to say the least but I will get to the bottom of this.

The details are limited but here is what we know… The restaurant located on the left hand side of the lobby has been named Sauc,  dressed in muted tones the ordinary furniture sits in a room with high ceilings. Hopefully the menu will be enough to knock you off your seat since the decor leaves little to the imagination.

To the right of the lobby,behind the front desk is the Boutique bar. Done up with wood crates, gold leaf ceilings and high back red lounge chairs, this could be the perfect middle man between the eclipse bar at the W, and the Banker’s Bar at the Mandarin. Things we like: The attention to details, in the picture we can see the staff is tweaking the drink menu and every cocktail has been produced. Things we don’t like: the oddly placed mirror ball at the corner lowers the posh factor by 3 points.

With a great location, this hotel is positioned to become of the break out star for 2011. A few streets away from the main shopping area of Portal De Angel, steps from the cathedral and across the street from the Metro station; Ohla Hotel will have everything the urban tourist will seek when finding a great place to stay when spending a weekend in Barcelona.

Ohla Hotel- Via Laietana, 49 Barcelona, Spain 08003 info@ohhotel.com

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ENA MACANA Makes Barcelona Bling

8 Feb

 

Enter the wonderful world of Ena Macana, Barcelona’s most forward thinking jewelry designer.

mickey mouse cross: Ena Macana

Beloved by DJ’s, Sought after by Stylists  and worshipped by fashionistas Ena Macana is the woman style mavens flock to, when looking for that one of a kind piece. From the absurd to the dangerous, Ena is conquering the hearts of  Barcelona’s most aloof fashionistas one piece at a time.

 

Blessed with the Midas touch anything she touches turns into art. Her designs are a mixture of  high-end grunge laced with a playful yet insightful edge . With pieces ranging from plastic toy guns crosses, model airplanes veils and pixellated mickey mouse crucifixes anything is possible when stepping into her world. In a few years Ena has managed to do what not many  designers her age would have like to have accomplished and that is injecting a certain amount of joie d’ vie into her designs a difficult task in these uncertain times.

Happy birthday hat: ena macana + butterfly ring: ena macana

 

Jewelry Maker/Marketing Guru-

Understanding what it takes to make a name for herself -Ena stays one step ahead of the trends and is rewriting the rules on making her jewelry known. In a town where everyone is creative, her christmas promotion was an instant success. Instead of waiting for clients to just walk through her door she invited her clients to bring their favorite childhood pieces to her showroom and where she would customize their own unique pieces into personal wearable treasures.

At age 16 Ena, found her self applying to the fashion school, but halfway along the way her inner child hit the brakes and her career took a detour in direction of a degree in industrial design. Today she finds her business thriving due to her innate sense of coolness and her amazing ability to create pieces that are not only jewelry but modern works of art.

 

ENA MACANA- 
Calle Portal Nou 7 //Borne//Barcelona                       www.enamacana.com     TEL +34 931 813 531

 

 

Credits: Photo By : Mariana Rufrano, Make up: Daiana Homar, Model: Naida Camarasa. Pictures #2 & 3 by:Laura Benedicto

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See The Sexy New Ikea Ad by SCPF

7 Feb

It starts with a glass breaking and evolves very rapidly into a glimpse inside the bedrooms of  spanish couples in various states of bliss. It ends with a simple phrase, “The richest man is not he, who has more but, he who needs less”.

Fresh, sexy and to the point the new commercial currently on heavy rotation on Spanish TV is burning up the airwaves with the sultry flamenco song and a simple  tagline.  What makes this commercial so  different  between Spain and  tv in the USA aside from the obvious, is Spain’s openness to human sexuality. These commercials have ben airing at all times of the day and have not trigger a massive amount of emails or advertising boycotts, which usually happens in the U.S. whenever something remotely sexy comes along. Something refreshing for the 21st century.

 

The creatives behind the 30 sec Spanish Ikea spot is no other than SCPF, a creative agency here in Spain which had the task of bringing out the best in having an Ikea Bedroom.

On a side note if your Alex Bogusky, the agency has even added your own direct link in order to reach you, an  impressive little tid bit taken off their ironic website.

http://www.scpf.com/

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La Foto Del Dia

7 Feb

 

SUNSET IN TARRAGONA- Photo by David Naveira

GORGEOUS Magazine Launch Party @ MUTT

4 Feb

Last night in the Borne, MUTT celebrated the launch of the new magazine GORGEOUS, edited by CARLES B. ARNAN and ALBERT MADAULA, this new magazine elegantly done in Black and white kicked off its premier issue with Heineken and Barcelona’s most colorful locals. To get your issue of Gorgeous, stop by MUTT and support this showcase for art + fashion.

http://gorgeousgorgeous.es/

 

 

  

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La Foto Del Dia

3 Feb

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Phenomena: The Double Feature!

3 Feb

 February 10th 2011-

A few weeks ago we presented the last edition of Phenomena a monthly double feature at the vintage cinema on Urgell. This month PHENOMENA screens  The Terminator and Scarface for a night of blood and guns.

 For more information http://www.phenomena-experience.com/

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BCNegra 2011

3 Feb

Crime in Catalunya , Murder in the Mediterranean, Blackmail in Barcelona, the dark quiet streets of El Raval play host to the 7th annual NOIR Book Festival celebrating the best mystery writers from around the globe.

With various games, readings and films BCNegra is sure to please any fan of the genre looking to meet the authors and make new friends.

 This year the festival evolves with a culinary take on the Noir festival, expanding to local bars and restaurants each creating special drinks or menus and hosting various afterparties.

For more information on readings, events and films check out the BCNegra Schedule HERE or you can go directly to the festivals website at http://www.bcn.cat/cultura/bcnegra/2011/

BCN NEGRA 2011-Runs until Feburary 5 2011.

 Location: Various points of the city.

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El Bitxo- A Pre-Concert Bite Never Tasted This Good

2 Feb

 On a quiet street  parallel to Via Laietana, EL BITXO (beet-cho) is a bite sized restaurant, located steps away from the Palau De Musica unassumingly tucked away on C/Verdaguer i Callis. 

With a  simple banner on the outside, one would never imagine the culinary treasures that are presented when walking by at first glance.  However, once  through the door all prejudices are thrown out the window .

This small restaurant hides a huge surprise when it comes to grabbing a bite before heading to the theatre. Moderately priced and carefully executed, every last detail is pulled together effortlessly.

From the handwritten menu on the side wall to the drink menu scribbled on the mirror and the friendly staff- El Bitxo is sure to blow you away, thanks to their gourmet menu and reasonable prices.

 On a recent friday night, I witnessed the locals stopping by just to say “hi” to the staff, give a quick kiss and continue on their way. The intimacy of this cafe makes it unique choice when looking to try something new in Barcelona.

EL BITXO- C/Verdaguer i Callis 9 < Metro>: Urquinaona 

Telephone 93 268 17 08

Open Jan-Feb 1pm-1am Tue-Thur; 1pm-2am Fri, Sat. Mar-Dec 1pm-1am Mon-Thur, Sun; 1pm-2am Fri, Sat

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080-Cristian Di Stefano

30 Jan

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Backstage At The Brandery

29 Jan

Picking up where Bread & Butter left off, The Brandery in Barcelona, has become one of the most important furban fashion trade shows, held twice a year in the FIRA BARCELONA. Now in its fourth edition- The brandery has evolved steadily into a more grown up event connecting buyers with new and emerging brands. An event which brings together the industry’s leading professional for three days of fashion shows, panel discussions, and the latest in retail trends.

This year we saw a tighter version of the show,  with more booths and a steady stream of visitors- it was evident in the increase of  buzz between buyers and brand representatives. Catering to fashionistas, trend forecasters and magazine editors, this show is injecting a much need energy into the Fashion industry in Barcelona. Keeping the well-heeled masses up to speed on retail merchandising and technology the Brandery is the starting point for any brand looking to break into the Spanish market.

For this edition the Brandery erected a three storied catwalk in the center of the pavilion and sent models down the runway dressed in Custo Barcelona, Salsa, Phard & Calvin Klien to name a few. I went backstage in order to photograph some of the models before hitting the catwalk. While normal backstage areas tend to be awash with frantic energy, this backstage was more relaxed atmosphere with models hanging out and chatting; reflecting the laid back unpretentious tone of this show as well as the city.

For more information on the Brandery visit www.thebrandery.com

*All images belong to PulsoBcn.com- to use any image please give proper photo credit.

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Andrés Sardá. Moda, Amor, Arte

26 Jan

 

It was in the 1960′s, in Barcelona, when Andrés Sardá decided to create his own company of women’s lingerie. Sardá, a textile engineer, belonged to a family that had been linked to textile industry since the 19th century. He dreamed of bringing his own ray of light to the industry and decided to break with the aesthetically dark conventions of the era.

This year represents his 50th in the profession and to celebrate, a tribute has been made in the form of a book entitled Andrés Sardá. Moda, Amor, Arte, that includes the collaboration of Margarita Riviêre, Mercedes Milá, Pedro Mansilla and Marius Carol.

Andrés Sardá Exhibition
Place: Hall. DHUB (Montcada, 12)
Date: from Tuesday the 18th to Sunday the 30th of January.
Information: Free entrance

Organizer: XXL / with the collaboration of DHUB

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La Foto Del Dia- Hotel W Barcelona

22 Jan

Hotel W- Barcelona Photo By: David Naveira www.pulsobcn.com

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Brunch @ FEDERAL cafe

22 Jan

 Located a stone’s throw from avenida  Paral-lel, FEDERAL CAFE has become the city’s living room. With a  comfortable 3 floor plan which allows the windows to open up to the street. This australian cafe has become a hit due to its flexible floor plans and friendly staff.

However, the key to its success- has to be it’s ALL DAY BRUNCH on Sundays which runs until 5.30 pm. In a city where coffee is the order of the day it’s nice to find a restaurant that serves a proper breakfast and allows you to stroll in without the worry of making it to the restaurant before the kitchen closes.

With a comfortable interior which turns into an outdoor cafe the design of the building is fantastic. I can’t wait for the summer to take full advantage of the terrace on sunday mornings. To find out more about FEDERAL check out their homepage which boasts a great soundtrack while getting familiar with the place.

For a look behind the scenes of the construction of the cafe, check out the FACEBOOK PAGE for before & after pics of the building and the creative process of making this project come to life.

FEDERAL CAFE-  C/ Parliament de Catalunya, 39
08015 Barcelona
931 873 607
Metro: Poble Sec

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Nick Gentry Presents Post Modern Fab

22 Jan

My fascination with 80′s technology has never faded which is why, when I saw the ad for LA PAN ART GALLERY, a gallery here in Barcelona I had to find out more about this artist.

 As a kid I remember the amazing moment when my father explained what a floppy disc could do.  Before flash drives, before iPhones, before wi-fi. Mountains of floppy disks, VHS tapes, Polaroids and cassettes piled up as we were catapulted into the future. It seemed as if as quick as these objects came in to our lives just as quickly the became obsolete. This combination of media played a massive part in how a generation growing up in the 80s & 90s  learned about the world.

As media is rapidly absorbed into the World Wide Web, the physical media formats of the past have been deemed obsolete. Representing a huge shift away from real world objects, into countless intangible data files. Using floppy discs as canvas Nick Gentry, assimilates a world unlike any other where his subjects becomes suspended in time. A world of Post Modern Fab.

La Pan Art Gallery- C/ Marina 68, Barcelona

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BAR_celona: FRUTTI POP

21 Jan

 Looking for a Bar in Barcelona can be hard, with so many options to choose from its like being a diabetic kid in a candy store. Yet, one place that has been around for a while, that is a must when doing a Raval Bar crawl is FRUTTI POP.

 If you’re looking for a low-key bar away from the tourists and a place to meet the locals, FRUTTI POP is just what the doctor ordered. With decoplage walls, red velvet curtains and a musically Schizophrenic DJ. This is a great place to go when you have a group of friends whose taste in music vary as much as their taste in liquor.

VINTAGE PICS AND 2 EURO BEERS 

From Soul, Hip-Hop, Indie Rock & Reggae - Frutti pop keeps it mixed up,and is a perfect place to start off your night. If eclectic is what you look for in a bar; you will feel at home in this local hole in the wall in the upper Raval.

Since the place is small, the vibe seems to change every time I go depending on which type of people have taken over the place.  However, with 2 euro beers you really can’t complain. Tip: If you can squeeze through the crowds check out the collection of Vintage pictures in the bathroom.

Located behind the Teatro Goya, half the fun is finding the place… Find the theatre head down Joaquin Costas, First street on your left, half a block down on your left hand side.

** Personal note:Not recommended  to go searching for this bar if you drunk.

Frutti Pop: Passatge de Sant Bernat 3, Metro: Universitat

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Lázaro Rosa-Violán – Studio Contemporain

20 Jan

His work has been featured in numerous magazines, his restaurants have been among the most talked about in the city and his hotels have the ability to transport guests from the moment they step through the door.

His first project a restaurant, was carried out in the Balearic Island of Ibiza in 1990 and in 2003 he established CONTEMPORAIN, his Barcelona based design firm with a flair for international design and impeccable taste is located on a quiet street in the Eixample, steps away from the Arc of Triumph.

Lázaro Rosa-Violán describes himself as an ‘urban archaeologist’ and ‘style hunter’  merging  an eclectic mix of  the urban city streets with  the serenity of the balearic islands. His designs inspire even the most jaded city slicker to put down the blackberry and relax.

Rosa-Violán leads Contemporain’s eight-strong team of industrial, interior and graphic designers “The interior designer is an actor“, he has been quoted saying “He must dress up and change roles, understand new identities and integrate them with his own.”

 


His ability to re-interpret classic design icons, with a culturally aware sense of aesthetics and technical knowledge has resulted in an impressive portfolio filled with a sense of luxury and timelessness.  To date Contemporain has created over 40 distinguished interiors for some of Spain’s most successful restaurants, boutique hotels and retails establishments, from a 100-room hostelries to a micro food shop.

His keen eye to every last detail, allows him to orchestrate a combination which brings together the finest pieces of  furniture, textiles and wall art  resulting in harmonious interiors which instantly stand out thanks to their effortless charm and sophisticated color palette.

In today’s cluttered marketplace, clear and succinct branding is vital. Unique identities are not achieved by vision alone. With this in mind, Contemporain has changed the face of design in Barcelona and has left his signature mark on dining rooms and lobbies throughout Catalunya.


For a look into Contemporain´s future projects and an inside glimpse to one of Barcelona’s most influential designers check out www.contemporain.es

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La Foto Del Dia

18 Jan

Photo by: David Naveira

“Cuando La Tristeza Llega A Las Ramblas”

PHENOMENA- Brings Back the Double Feature Movie Night At Cine Urgell

13 Jan

 

A must for any movie lover, Cine Urgell – one of the last great movie houses in Barcelona, dims the lights, and raises the curtain to screen a double Feature on Thursday January 13th as part of the PHENOMENA movie series.

Hosted by Nacho Cerda, Phenomena, is the hugely successful Double Feature night which has become a cult phenomenon, bring movie lovers of  every generation under one roof.

PHENOMENA, posted with vodpod

 

From Jaws to Aliens these modern classics are screen to an audience of more tha 1,800 spectators who either, for the love of film or the thrill of nostalgia, line up literally around the block for the chance to see their favorite films on the big screen.

This time around Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom followed by John Carpenter’s “ The Thing” will get the big screen treatment. If you are in Barcelona this is a must for any self respecting hipster on a Thursday night. Bring a date, grab some popcorn and relive the 80′s in the Eixample.

For more information click HERE

  CINE URGELL-                                   C/ Comte d’Urgell, 29
       08011 Barcelona
       933 250 407

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La Foto Del Dia

10 Jan

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