Last night thousands of people showed up at the ARCO DE TRIOMF for a night of Catalan Unity to celebrate the Catalan Independence ONZE DE SETEMBRE (September 11th). At 10 pm ELS AMICS DE LES ARTS took the stage and played a solid set that had the crowds going wild and Catalan flags waiving in the wind.
Here is a recap of the night- enjoy!
All Photos by David Naveira
Opened earlier this year Cup & Cake Barcelona, offers grownups the opportunity to regress back into childhood in a brightly lit temple of saccharine on Enric Granados (This street, a favorite among locals, thankfully never tends to be feature in any Barcelona guidebook).
Taking its cue from the now infamous Magnolia Bakery in New York City, Barcelona now has it’s very own cupcake shoppe in trendy Eixample neighborhood (think 8-year-old girls with Tous purses and Burberry sweaters). The friendly staff will give you the rundown on the treats and recommend which one is the right one for you.
With a fantastic location free of junkies and prostitutes Cup & Cake is a great way to spend a sat morning strolling up the Eixample in order to get a first hand look at how the other half-lives. Cupcakes, coffees and croissants are the order of the day and if the 34-year-old little girl in front of you grabs the last one, don’t throw a tantrum, Cup & Cake keeps them coming.
Located on a hidden street behind the Mercat del Born sits a small cobblestone street with a restaurant which is a favorite among locals looking for a great eatery with loads of charm and atmosphere.
With its clean lines and casually elegant feel , the restaurant reminds me of the great seafood eateries of Charleston, South Carolina while maintaining its own distinct feel of the Born (Barcelona’s answer to SOHO). With a spectacular interior designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán from Contemporain Studio, Big Fish has become an institution thanks to their outstanding service and diverse menu.
A seafood lover’s dream, BIG FISH covers the 7 seas in just one menu. Calamari with mango chutney, Prawns, Grilled Galician Scallops, Grilled sea bass with tomato and asparagus jam, Bluefin tuna, plus a raw Sushi bar, all make for one fantastic dinner with friends any day of the week.
Big Fish tends to fills up by 2pm on the weekdays, and is close to impossible to score a table on Sundays. Reservations are strongly encouraged in order to snatch a great table.
Alone in Barcelona? Sit at the sushi bar apart from being great entertainment the chefs are quite nice and won’t bite.
*If you can save some room the white chocolate brownies are the way to go.
BIG FISH -C/ Comercial, 9
08002 Barcelona, España
932 681 728
His work has been featured in international magazines such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, and GQ . His commercials for Nina Ricci are infamous for their ethereal beauty.
His images have won countless awards and have managed to impress even the most jaded critics in the fashion word with his creativity and flair for the theatrics.
In his latest creative project Eugenio Recuenco, has turned his fashion editorial into voyage 20,000 leagues under the sea for a glimpse of the trapped souls on the ill-fated mission of the SS Kursk.
In August in 2000, in the cold waters of the Barents Sea, the submarine KURSK exploded without warning trapping the crew of 118. While some argue the crew died instantly some experts say the crew was able to survive for several days. LAS ALMAS DEL KURSK takes a Recuencian look into the untimely demise of the Russian sailors.
It is these final moments of the Russian crew, which inspired Recuenco to complete a fashion editorial with the help of Spain’s FASHION DREAM TEAM. To bring his vision to life Mr. Recuenco enlisted the help of Eric Dover, art director for most of Recuenco´s shoots along with stylist Macarena Nuñez and make-up artist Lewis Amarante. The results were an editorial bold in concept and high on art.
It is these images that Make Recuenco´s work so fascinating, his ability to turn a tragedy into a beautifully executed conceptual piece is what made Lavazza Calendar come knocking at his door back in 2007. His relentless vision and dedication to his art speaks volumes about his craft.
The issue, which hits newsstands this week, is a great example of the power of Recuenco´s work and the unique point of view of Spanish Fashion in the 21st century.
For a further look into the World of Eugenio Recuenco you can also visit his website at www.eugeniorecuenco.com
To see the complete series of LAS AMAS DE KURSK grab the latest issue of 5 magazine available at newsstands now.
I came across the mesmerizing work of Albert Jodar (Badalona b. 1982), one friday afternoon when walking through the neighborhood of Sant Pere and walking into Swallow Gallery.
His portraits of modern spanish citizens against ordinary backdrops make his work exciting and as he takes traditional themes and captures them with a modern eye.
A country torn between past and present these festivals which date back to medieval times,are what anchor the heart minds and souls of the spanish people.His body of work gives an inside view of the festival of San Fermin to the haunting eyes of the most devout catholics during Semana Santa. While his docu-artistic series are comprised of beautiful angles and in your face composition. It is his portrait work which stands out, his ability to capture a the genuine everyday life of Spanish life at the beginning of the 21st century are the type of images which any photo collector would be proud to own.
As semana santa rituals play out across the country, I present his brilliant series titled : “En La Santa Semana”.
To se more of his work click ALBERT JODAR
Where the rich blend with the poor, the artists with the tourists, La Rambla has taken a turn for the worse since the olympic games. Anyone who lives here only cross Las Ramblas never do we walk up and down the infamous street. However Las Ramblas has had many lives and many masters from belonging to the bourgeoise of the 1900 to the lower part belonging to the prostitutes and sailors in the 30′s. The scene of political revolution in the 60′s, riots of 2006 and finally the celebration of the Barca victory in 2009. The street is in constant flux. It is only normal that such a polemic city space receive a retrospective collection of the most interesting and colorful character to walk the gentle sloped boulevard.
This exhibition traces a route that portrays La Rambla as an urban space saturated by photographic, literary, film and media representations. In the show, photographs from various city archives, combined with contemporary images, are used to draw a detailed atlas of this boulevard. Far from proposing a historic narrative that might give rise to a nostalgic vision, the exhibition takes as its themes certain spaces, gestures and myths that break with clichés and icons that have encouraged an excessively simplistic image of La Rambla.
March 25- May24 2010 : FREE
Palau de la Virreina La Rambla, 99 . 08002 Barcelona . Tel 93 316 10 00
Located in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona, OBJETO DE DESEO has caught the eye of the international magazines and has even made Tyler Brule take proper notice of this Wonderland inspired house of genuine oddities and artistic nonsense. A Contemporary Cabinet of Curiosities, the store boast an impressive list of global artists and taste-makers housed in one extraordinary pristine setting.
Objeto de Deseo has become the first object gallery in Barcelona, to carefully curate an eclectic selection of limited edition pieces for the home or office . Effortlessly blending styles in a sort of high-end KITCH, the shop is perfect for those who have a sense of humor when it comes to home decor and are on an eternal quest for the perfect conversation piece.
Littered with white pedestals bathed in white light this is a place where Rock and Roll dented ming vases stand silently under white porcelain deers while futuristic garden gnomes vie for your attention and wallet.
Open Mon-Fri, this avant-guard home accessory emporium is a must stop for those who collect one of a kind pieces rather than cheap plastic snow globes and magnets when travelling abroad.
ATOPIA_From 25 February 2010 to 24 May 2010
The exhibition explores a kind of unease—the awkwardness that exists between the city and the individual.
With the modern-day citizen now connected 24/7 and massive exchange of information what happens when you ride the subway and all you hear is quiet. As commuters pop in their headphones, update their Facebook and twitter their every mood the urban jungle has become a vacuum, just the sound of thumbs texting and iPhones being tapped…
_OLEG DOU “Glasses 2″ (Moscow b.1983)
_Erwin Olaf “Grief” (Hilversum b. 1959)
Calle de Montalegre, 5
08001 Barcelona, Spain
934 123 356
The design force which is Vinçon is a classic store housed in a stunning modernista building on Passeig de Gracia. Originally the CASA of Ramon Casas, friend (and mentor) of Picasso. The store is a must stop, when in Barcelona. With two floors, an art space and a spectacular terrace- Vinçon is a shrine to design. Which brings forth design enthusiasts like moths to a sleek designed flame.
It is only fitting that such an iconic store would have an equally iconic bag. Every year the store releases a holiday version of their bag which has become a holiday tradition for over 30 years.The Vinçon holiday bag has become the equivalent of the Pirelli Calendar. Designed by America Sanchez, these bags have won countless awards for their originality and humour.
2009 HOLIDAY BAG
Mariscal, Latin Pati Nuñez and Sanchez are some of the professionals who have routinely transform business ideas into images of the company which have left the building and spilled out onto the streets of Barcelona
As far back as 1972 -Vinçon has been awarded the trophy for:” best Laus corporate identity” honoring the graphic image of Vinçon. Sanchez, who has since become responsible for maintaining the image often re-tweaking the bags, with only subtle changes noticeable to the public. The design of the bags, however, is renewed twice a year and has become somewhat of a collector item for the people who love their Mariscal wallpaper and Jean Nouvel Chandaliers.
To see the amazing catalogue of Vinçon shopping bags morph through the years click {HERE}
Passeig de Gràcia, 96
08008 Barcelona
Tel. (+34) 93 215 6050
I met Barcelona based photographer Martin Hesbert at the LE LOOK Party a few weeks ago. Eager to grab a perfect shot he made his way through the crowded party like a solider in war. Weaving through the well-heeled crowds careful to document the vibe without interrupting.
His style is easy to identify- concise and clean, he presents his point of view without bragging or staging a scene. His ability to find moments of peace in what usually tend to be chaotic urban settings is what made me take note of his photography and talent.
With a sharp eye and attention to detail, Martin Hesbert manages to unlock the secrets of Barcelona through his camera lens. We caught up with Mr. Hesbert for a quick chat and talked a bit about Barcelona, Paris and his work. Check out his interview after a few of his images.
So Martin, where are you originally from?
I’m from Paris, France.
How long have you been in Barcelona?
I have been in Barcelona for exactly 1 year, 1 month. I am very happy here but I am still having trouble getting used to the humidity! This summer was intense…
Why Barcelona?
Well being only an hour and 20 mins away from Paris is always a plus! But I am drawn to Barcelona because of the way it is. Barcelona, is NOT the city you see in films. It is a city that holds its secrets well, It is a city is a thousand times more interesting than these images we see in movies like “L’auberge espagnole” or “Vicky Cristina” …
What is your favourite Barrio in Barcelona?
I love all the neighbourhoods, but I tend to gravitate especially to areas that are dedicated to pedestrians. I have a bit of an aversion to cars. To me they seem to disfigure the urban landscape and in my opinion belong to a time that should be part of an era gone by.
When did you realize that you were going to be stalking people with a camera?
<Laughs>I began to dabble in photography when I was about 17 …
I started playing around in a photo laboratory in Paris which is where I learned how to develop Black and White photographs. I used to spend hours in the lab usually until 2 or 3 in the morning.
What inspires you to take a particular image?
Like every photographer, my idea is to take pictures in order to show something that nobody saw. I like the idea of being in a public place and showing something that most people miss.
The idea is NOT to say: “I saw that and you didn’t!” but rather to say “I saw this and I want to share it with you.”
I am more interested in having an image that speaks to the viewer. Pictures which are easy to understand. I do not want my pictures to be so intellectual that the person seeing the image doesn’t “GET IT”. I want people to be moved by the images and get excited when they view my work.
Who Are The Photographers that have made the most impact throughout your life and career?
I obviously have a multiple inspirations. Another talented Martin is: Martin Parr. I also have a great appreciation for Depardon, Salgado, Koudelka, Avedon and many other photographers who are less known.
Now that you mention it, I can see the inspiration of Parr in your work. Detached but humorous. Your right it could be the name…
<Laughs>See I told you so!
** Martin Hesbert the Parisian in Barcelona, is currently working on a few top secrets projects. When he is not busy behind his camera documenting the day-to-day life in Barcelona. He is traveling around Europe as an international man of mystery.
To see More of Martin Hesbert’s work click {HERE}
The BARCELONA (U)topian Manifesto by LE COOL
1.- Bicing will work well.
2.- Exhibitions and artistic showings will always be free, no concert will cost more than €30 and new albums will cost €7.
3.- In case of doubt, we will go back to barter: I give you this book I’ve finished and you let me into the show.
4.- Children will play in the parks, with the only exceptions being rain, snow, or the circus coming to town.
5.- The graffiti will return to MACBA.
6.- Tourists will be prohibited from group or bicycle tours of the Born.
7.- Mass attacks by flyer-trolls will be prohibited.
8.- The official dress code will be…colorful!
9.- Winter will be cold, summer will be hot. Not the reverse.
10.- We will listen first. Then, we will (optionally) speak.
Create your own manifesto of change!
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.” -Bernard Shaw
image: Banksy text: LeCool
_Chic & Basic Barcelona To Host FRIO *09
Here at PulsoBCN we get very excited when private companies go out of their way to support and promote new talent. In an age where everyone has Facebook and twitter, Chic & Basic constantly out do themselves in the marketing department. In November, Chic & Basic rolled out special webisodes featuring an inside look at their hotel which was an instant success (available on their Facebook page).
This Saturday December 12 Chic & Basic in the Borne, open their doors to Changingroom.org as they present 25 of the most cutting edge designers with special guest artists: CHICKS ON SPEED for an event called FRIO*09.
_ONE DAY. 25 DESIGNERS.
If you are in Barcelona this week stop by the hotel on Saturday and scope out the designers at FRIO*09. Now is your chance to go from room to room and meet the designers as they present their collections in the hotel. With the amount of invites to holiday parties now is the time to pick up something for yourself this holiday season.
Chic & Basic C/Princesa, 50
Sponsored by Metal Magazine, Vialis , Sinnamon Records and Barcelona’s official Beer MORITZ
_ A Chicks On Speed CLASSIC- love this for two reasons :
1. Filmed in Miami 2. Discovered them on Tom Middleton’s THE TRIP.
Eight months ago today, a boy arrived in Barcelona with a suitcase and a dream.
After years of imagining what my life would be like living in Barcelona, I packed up my things and left everything behind in beautifuly slick South Beach. It turns out my life is 95% what I imagined it to be like. I am in love with the people, the city, the food, and the culture.
8 months later, I have managed to learn Catalan, discover the city, and even made some new friends along the way. I have had some amazing experiences. I have learned to enjoy the sunrise after a night of bonfires for St. Joan, learned to be patient in supermarket lines and have celebrated every fiesta (holiday) like a true Catalan. After years of travelling the world I finally found my corner.
There are just a few things I miss about Miami- My friends and Family, eating Taco Bell after a night out with friends, machines that dry your clothes, Bond Street sushi restaurant on South Beach & taking people on my Miami Beach hotel tours whenever I had friends in town. However, those will all be there when I go back to visit…
To every world traveler, to every dreamer, to every person with an undeniable quest for knowledge- follow your bliss.
The world is your oyster…
For the fifth consecutive year, Photographic Social Vision Foundation, in collaboration with the CCCB, presents World Press Photo 09.
The World Press Photo exhibition – a collection of the winning entries in the World Press Photo Competition – is internationally recognised as the most important touring exhibition of photojournalism in the world. As well as displaying the best photographs of 2008, it is also a historic document of the main news events of the year.
Each year, an independent, thirteen-member international jury chooses the winning photographs from submissions by photojournalists, agencies, newspapers and photographers around the world. The photos compete in 11 categories: news events, current affairs, people in the news, sports, action photography, sports reportage, contemporary issues, daily life, portraits, nature and art and entertainment.
The winning photographs are exhibited annually in 80 cities in 40 countries, on condition that all works have to be shown without censorship of any kind. The fact that thousands of visitors from around the world see this exhibition shows photography’s power to overcome linguistic and cultural boundaries.
World Press Photo provides images that become part of the collective memory. Stunning images that have changed, on many occasions, the course of history and public opinion.
To see all of this year’s winning images please click {HERE}
The new Vivanco show has opened up in Barcelona and is currently the talk of the town. A group made up of seven brothers have taken the Barcelona stage for a limited run at the Victoria Theater.
For those of you who never heard of Los Vivanco they are a tribe of 39 kids. 7 of which are superstars. All of which share the same father. Part Flamenco show part concert- each brother plays an instrument and can dance a variety of styles from Flamenco to Classical and even some breakdancing. The show does not stop as the brothers bring the passion to stage and battle it out for the audience’s attention.
Nov 24, 2009 – Dec 18, 2009
”To Study Design Is To Be Brainwashed“ -{THS}
The pursuit of truth, absurdity of morality and irony of inhibition is the content of {THS} ‘s new show titled: ‘FOR ALL IS VANITY’ which follows his ‘Trash urban warfare porn dirrty pop’ style. His new canvases are the continuation of his ‘Gluebooks’, a selection of sketchbooks containing collage and filled with handwriting, rawness, dirt & pornographic images. His new work feels like a gigantic resized version of his Gluebooks from paper to canvas. An enlargement both in size and insanity.
Thomas Schostok aka {ths} was born in 1972 and started his career as a salesman for bathroom tiles. In 1999 he founded and represented himself as ‘{ths}’, working in his own studio as a designer/artist for international and national clients. He never studies design because he always thought, to study design is to be brainwashed. {ths} released three monographs/books: ‘Hard Blow’ (Rojo Editions, 2008), a book about the pornographic artwork in his so called ‘Gluebooks’ (Sketchbooks); ‘Mr. Trash’ (self published), volume one of his art and design works during the last 10 years of his career.
{ths} had exhibitions in the USA, UK, Spain, Italy, Australia, Germany and Taiwan. His love for typography can always admired in his art and design work. In 2002 he founded ‘The Cape Arcona Type Foundry’, a type foundry that produces and distributes digital typefaces. {ths} is without anger or hate, because it’s fondness for Elvis Presley and Barry White records, that continuous playing during working, make him nice and merry. - Hail to the King, Baby.
[Special Thanks to Aprile @ Notpaper]
®artspace Barcelona
ROJO®. Carrer Girona 61, Eixample. 08009 Barcelona. Spain.
talk: +34 934 673 598
online: www.rojo-barcelona.com
Friday night, I was sitting at a local bar on la Rambla del Raval, when I came across a series of collages on the wall. Hung side by side, I scanned the series and instantly fell in love with every piece hanging on the dimly lit walls. Arranged using colored construction paper, cardboard and newspaper each of his abstract figures became increasingly interesting. That is when I became a fan of Jordi Estivill.
Jordi, originally born in Barcelona- is a mix media artist who uses sculptures, wood, clay, recycled materials, and random objects as his medium. His eye for detail make his pieces so captivating and original that any one of his pieces will leave you wanting more. Impressive by themselves- his true genius is evident when taking in his work as a whole. The themes in his compositions hints towards carnival performers, circus clowns, actors, exotic women from the far east and surreal characters that look at you with watchful eyes and complicated hearts. While his work has an air of familiarity, it still manages to exude his personal style and highlight his unique ability to combine color and textures.
The pieces below are part of a series named: Compositions. Made up entirely of materials found in the flea markets of Barcelona and Beijing- Jordi uses materials such as paper, cardboard, old magazine clippings to stimulate the plastic representation of different portraits of characters.
In his series “JOINTS” - Mr. Estivill has gone a step further creating art with pieces of wood found on remote beaches on the islands of Menorca and Formentera. With its worn out textures and muted tones the magic is present by the remains of fragments of the objects original colors- eroded by the sun, sea and sand. A combination that becomes visible when the pieces are inserted, combined and engaged under the direction of the artist- revealing unexpected qualities in ordinary objects.
Composición con guitarra
Ensamblaje maderas
100cmx100cm
“Figures al jardí”
For more on JORDI ESTIVILL click on the picture below.
Porrait of an ARTIST’S STUDIO
“THE STREET IS DANGEROUSLY CREATIVE” -Christian Lacroix
While others prefer the high-profile title of “Fashion Cities” such as Milan, Paris and London. Le Look keeps their eyes on the plazas, alleys and bars of Barcelona’s 5 different barrios which make up the mix and match fabric of the city’s street fashion scene. LE LOOK’s cameras capture hunt down real people- nonconformists that happily mix H&M with Dior and can rock Alexander McQueen with the same ease of toting a 2 euro purse from one of the many vintage stores on Calle Carme.
This past Thursday Le Look invaded Vintage Bar in the Borne, and turned the space into it’s very own urban fashion incubator. The venue which is a great space for parties is divided into several rooms and gives the feeling of stepping into a posh living room rather than a cramped Barcelona bar. Hosted by LELOOK and the folks at Fashionfreax this event was the launch party for the latest collection of fashion designer and muse ANNA K. Normally a party like this would be filled with pretentious fashionistas but the party was incredibly laid back with more people talking face to face rather than into their cell phones.** Special Thanks to our man Martin Hesbert, for documenting the night’s vibe.
DJ Mustache had the sounds in check while VJ Sacha provided the eye candy in the background.However, the cameras were turned on the crowds at this particular party- the dress code on the invite was in bold. The simple instructions printed in 24 font EXTRAVA K.
LE LOOK staffers mingled around the room, picking out the most interesting looks and inviting the guests to strike a pose in front of their impromptu photo studio in the bars foyer. At midnight, those looks that had managed to raise eyebrows (I am talking about you bearded man in a blue dress) were invited to hit the catwalk and strut their lelook for cava sipping crowds.
Barcelona’s cool hunters, fashion editors, and stylist were out supporting LE LOOK in full force.
LE LOOK’s last event back in April made headlines and this seasons party was no different. Michael Mueller from Barcelona’s MINIGUIDE* , summed it up best… ” It’s nice to see Barcelona finally coming into its own and setting trends rather than following them ”.
For a complete look at the parties most fashion forward looks click here
On any given saturday afternoon, you can find me at RAS.
A simple concrete space that, over the years, has become the go to place for all creative minds.Often copied but never reproduced RAS is the original Barcelona design bookstore.
With the symphony of chaos outside- once inside its door RAS, feels like a decompression chamber. A temple dedicated to those with on a hunt for trends and inspiration. Sitting quietly on Doctor Dou Street, the shop is unique due to its vast collection of magazines, design books and an art/ lecture space in the back. Just a few steps from the MACBA and CCCB, it has become upper Raval’s epicenter of art and culture in an area that up until a few years ago, was the sort of place that you avoided at all costs. With countless books to choose from Ras will make a believer out of anyone.
C/Doctor Dou 10- Barcelona _ Tues-Sat 11am-9pm_93.412.71.99
