VENUE

El Colmado Cultural

Power to the People

by Dan Scott

For some, the art and music scene in Barcelona conforms to the ‘phantom iceberg model.’ Optimistic visitors see all the Draparts, BACs, Primaverasounds and Sonars and expect to find a street scene as thriving, but when you look under the tip of the iceberg—yowzah! No iceberg! It’s been stolen by the Ajuntament and drowned in a million miles of red tape. Therefore, it’s a joy to write about a project in the city that aims to take the arts back to the heart of the community while at the same time successfully navigating the increasingly repressive policies of 'the Man' in Plaça San Jaume.
El Colmado is a cultural association set up by a team of committed volunteers who want to give a voice to the myriad cultures within downtown Raval. Once a real colmado (a shop that sells everything from candy to coffee to chorizo), the new venture aims to offer a similar variety in culture and creativity. BCN Week spoke to three of the founders, Leo, Alfredo and Palma.
Leo told us about their work so far: "We had some problems with the structure; it’s old and has needed some work.” Now, the space is beautiful. All the original features were kept and were renovated by team member, David. Alfredo explained more about the vision: "El Colmado is not just for young people! It is open to all ages, and also all communities. It’s non-fashion, non-design but pro-community. It’s a junction point for different groups in the city. Es bonito y barato!"
Opening in two weeks, the first month promises experimental music nights, art exhibitions, yoga and reiki classes, children’s dance classes and, most importantly, an open door policy to proposals and ideas. So if you believe in an art world outside the whitewashed walls of MACBA, informed not by capital but genuine passion, then El Colmado deserves your support. Doors open June 13 (c/ de la Cera, 35). Get involved.

EXPOSICIÓN

Recorridos

Foto Colectania @ Julián Romea, 6 / Hasta el 29 de agosto de 2008

by Jordi Corominas i Julián

El boom digital y la transformación social hacia el todos sacamos unas fotografías que son la pera oculta en más de una ocasión, y es una lástima, la realidad de un arte que ha luchado mucho por serlo. No sólo de píxels y calle viven las instantáneas. Para comprobarlo sólo hay que ir a Foto Colectania, fundación sin ánimo de lucro que se dedica a promocionar la fotografía y el coleccionismo mediante exposiciones, libros y actividades. En esta ocasión, su director Pepe Font de Mora se erige en comisario de una exposición que a través de la obra de seis fotógrafos españoles recorre varias visiones de España a lo largo de medio siglo, aunque más que visiones, lo cual es típico y tópico, tendríamos que hablar de puntos de vista de seis observadores de la realidad con diferentes inquietudes que se complementan.
José Gómez, fallecido en 1998, es el miembro más veterano del sexteto. Su fotografía destaca por un abrumador dominio del blanco y negro que recorre con especial atención las texturas de muro, cristales, calles y espacios, algo normal cuando descubrimos su amistad con grandes arquitectos de su tiempo. La desnudez de su obra tiene un aire filosófico que contrasta con el de los textos visuales de Helena Almeida, artista que no se limita a captar la realidad con su cámara, pues añade a sus creaciones pintura y materia para dar más vida y significado a la composición; una mezcla de estos dos primeros artistas sería Chema Madoz, quien bebe de una realidad pictórica a través de detalles, bromas visuales y absurdos varios, todo lo contrario a lo que encontramos en los dos siameses de la muestra: Carlos Pérez Siquier y Xavier Ribas. El primero centra su búsqueda en reflejar la miseria, podredumbre y resignada felicidad de la periferia andaluza en la segunda mitad de la década de los cincuenta, mientras Ribas hace lo mismo con el extrarradio barcelonés de los años noventa. Si las imágenes de Pérez Siquier aún huelen a Cartier Bresson, las de su colega catalán son duras de manera poética, con grandes descampados o carreteras con ramos de flores, muerte presente en el abandono.
Completa la muestra la explosión de color y mirada de Miguel Trillo, retratista de una cierta España que ya no existe y que el arte fotográfico nos lega y acerca desde el recuerdo.

INTERVENTION

Monster Ball

Miss Yucki Invades Barri Gótic

by Becca Bland

My parents constantly warned me of the danger of talking to strangers, but they never warned me of the influence of strange monsters one might encounter lurking in the doorways of Barri Gótic.
What follows is my account: The eerie gordy monster appeared to want to make friends from its position poised on top of an ordinary arch. There was a short staring match, and then some quick action to liberate this curious creature. Meanwhile, a few people started milling about, pondering. The post-action inspection revealed a label, which stated: “Talk about pan con tomate to the man/woman next to you; it’s the answer.” People dispersed after having a brief discussion about olive oil, and I was left holding the monster.
Further investigation reveals such experiences with ‘3D Graffiti’ are being had all over Barcelona thanks to collaboration between the Miss Yucki team and conceptual writer Becca Bland. In the Barri, numerous mysterious and unique creatures are invading, like toys playing with the thoughts and destinies of a population, stimulating — in accordance with Yucki history — an identity for the displaced masses of a certain area in space.
Polemical graffiti crams the Barri. However, what was once the visualisation of social change and questioning appears to have been “dumbed down” in our consciousness to an aesthetic that’s become, quite literally, Barcelona’s ageing wallpaper. Yucki’s both literally and metaphorically stand out from this and subtly place a question in our eyes, hands and minds as to the nature of our similarities as opposed to our differences.
Keep your eyes peeled for your own special monster!