Nosideup: arquitecture

20.9.10 0

The Alhondiga

The Alhondiga in Bilbao is a beautiful space designed by P. Starck (of course). I'm not his biggest fan but I liked this design. The different columns and the swimming pool on the ceiling (you can see the pople swimming above you) were lovely.

17.7.10 0

Hashima

This is the island of Hashima, one of the 505 abandoned islands in the Nagasaki Prefecture.
There is something so evoquing, so dramatic, so nostalgic. All the concrete, so human, so urban, so alone.
See more here.
Thanks, Mr Ed for showing these to me.
PS: Guess who's got internet finally!... :)

8.6.10 0

Inhabitant

Work by Emily Speed. Via ///.

I feel exactly like that, vulnerable and safe at the same time.

I am officially announcing that Mr. M. and I are moving to Madrid. This is the 4th city in 4 years (London-Oxford-Barcelona-Madrid). Barcelona has been absolutely fantastic, but Mr. M. has been offered a dream job (yay!), for which we are really happy. Nonetheless, I am now trying to finish my course, find a flat, pack this one and apply for more courses in Madrid. So yes, happy but still unsure. I never thought we could be such nomads.

PS: Spanish flats for rent tend to include furniture. And I mean "grandma-just-died", ugly, barroque, dark furniture. Not only that, but if you see a 40m square flat it's probably cluttered with two sofas, two armchairs, several wall shelves, TV furniture, coffe tables, dinning table with 6 chairs, two beds instead of a double one, golden lamps, etc. I'm heroically cruising through the see of bad (or lack of) interior design. Wish me luck!

5.12.09 0

Casa Asia

Mr M and I have had a hyper cultural Saturday.

We've started at Casa Asia (which is what I really want to tell you about) and then gone to almost every gallery and exhibition available in Barcelona at the moment.

But the thing, Casa Asia is located at the Palau del Baró de Quadras by Josep Puig i Cadafalch.

Now, the place is AMAZING. Totally mind-blowing. It was like a garden turned into a building. The walls still had murals of trees and flowers. The stone was all carved into floral motives. Doors had huge metal panels with relieves on them. Even the little window handles had flowers on them!

Plus, there was an exhibition on Art and Aids, mostly from Thai artists. That was quite interesting to see in order to compare culural view points. Nevermind the first-floor exhibition of Asian textiles (the display was tremendously poor).

If you are ever in Barcelona, do not miss the building (entrance is free)

8.12.08 1

Richter's stained glass

Artist Gerhard Richter designed this random pixel stained glass for the Cologne Cathedral. I love the contrast of the modernity of the pixel (even as a concept) in such an old context. I also favour the lack of imagery, for a change. And the lovely light effect remains just as entriguing as an old-style stained glass.