Category: Art Blog

Reproduction

Reproduction

Nosaltres, interpretats per les flors

In this series of exhibitions, flowers are used as metaphors for life and its social, historical, and cultural ramifications. The project revolves around the development of Barcelona from a sociohistorical perspective that links narratives related to the memory of the neighborhood.

The first itinerary is presented at the Casa Elizalde with “Reproduction”, followed by “Transformation” in the Farinera del Clot, and “Break” in the Joan Oliver “Pere Quart” Civic Center. On each itinerary, the exhibition will leave the environs of the civic center to connect with an emblematic business in the neighborhood.

1. “LA REPRODUCCIÓ”
La Casa Elizalde

This exhibition, rooted in the modernist culture of the time, revolves around the Elizalde family and, in particular, the figure of Carme Biada, wife of Arturo Elizalde, mother of their nine children and, after the unexpected and premature death of the latter, president of Elizalde, S.A. for 24 years.

Biada took the reins of the factory, with more than eight hundred employees, and led it from the production of automobile engines to aircraft engines, as well as modernizing the company through research and development. She started the Elizalde Apprentice School and implemented a social project to help workers and their sick relatives, at a time when Social Security did not exist.

“CASI TODO ES AZUL”
KATI RIQUELME

In the semi-darkness of the Carme Biada Room, the work of Kati Riquelme seems to stop and give new meaning to time. From the apparent fragility and ethereal lightness of the tea bags emerges a childish universe filtered in raw indigo blue. On the small porous paper, fragments of memories force us to sharpen our senses, peek into the imperceptible and embark on a journey that connects different channels of existence.

The photographs portray people whose identity we do not know, contemporaries of the Elizalde-Biada family and who embody the massive exodus of the rural population to the big cities.

The tea bags that Riquelme works with could also refer to an industrial past and the birth of large-scale commerce. Tea is a stimulant that allows us to be awake to continue producing, but it can also represent, depending on which varieties, the prelude to sleep.

Blueprint technology was invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel as an inexpensive way to reproduce architectural or engineering drawings, diagrams, and plans. This same technology is used to create cyanotype photographic prints in which images are developed through exposure to the sun and time.

“CARME BIADA INTERPRETADA PER LES FLORS”
KATERINA ASHCHE

Shortly after the death of her husband, Arturo Elizalde, “My mother sent for all the employees
in the household, assembled them in the patio and ordered them to pile up all the plans and documentation related to the factory’s automotive industry they could find, and subsequently ordered them to be burned to imbue the staff with aeronautical spirit.”

That bonfire was followed by another, this time an order to scrap all the company’s competition cars.

Miguel Elizalde Biada
El Periódico (2017)

Carme prepares the wedding of her seventh son, Pedro. She has been a widow for ten years and, in addition to taking care of her large family, she is also president of Elizalde, S.A.

She is 60 years old and her hair is gray. She sits at her desk and writes letters. The first is addressed to the florist, to order flowers for the wedding. She chooses sunflowers because they are a symbol of unconditional love, happiness, and optimism.

Another letter is addressed to a distant friend. She reflects on Arturo’s death and the sudden change in her life: from simply being a wife and mother of nine children, she finds an unknown strength, becomes the director of a great automobile company and takes responsibility for making her husband’s dream come true.

These letters, presumably written during the preparations for the wedding, are related to a series of everyday, domestic and industrial objects that represent different facets of Biada’s life and link the Casa Elizalde with the Mercat de la Concepció and the historical context of the time.

La reproducció

La reproducció

Nosaltres, interpretats per les flors

En aquesta sèrie d’exposicions les flors s’utilitzen com a metàfora de la vida i de les seves ramificacions socials,
històriques i culturals. El projecte gira al voltant del desenvolupament de Barcelona des d’una perspectiva sociohistòrica i enllaça narratives relacionades amb la memòria de barri. La primera itinerància es presenta a la Casa Elizalde amb “La reproducció”, seguida de “La transformació” a la Farinera del Clot i “El trencament” al Centre Cívic Joan Oliver “Pere Quart”. En cada itinerància, l’exposició sortirà dels confins del centre cívic per connectar-se amb un comerç emblemàtic del barri.

1. “LA REPRODUCCIÓ”
La Casa Elizalde

Aquesta exposició, arrelada en la cultura modernista de l’època, gira al voltant de la família Elizalde i, en particular, de la figura de Carme Biada, dona d’Arturo Elizalde, mare dels seus nou fills i, després de la mort inesperada i prematura d’aquest darrer, presidenta d’Elizalde, SA durant 24 anys.

Biada va prendre les regnes de la fàbrica, de més de vuit-cents treballadors, la va portar des de la producció de motors automobilístics fins a la de motors d’aviació, i va modernitzar l’empresa mitjançant la recerca i el desenvolupament. Va posar
en marxa l’Escola d’Aprenents Elizalde i va implantar una obra social per ajudar els treballadors i els seus familiars
malalts, en una època en què no existia la Seguretat Social.

“CASI TODO ES AZUL”
KATI RIQUELME

A partir d’una caixa de plaques seques de gelatinobromur, l’artista proposa un recorregut per les estances d’un passat actiu servint-se de la condició vel·leïtosa de la memòria.

Les fotografies retraten persones la identitat de les quals desconeixem, contemporànies de la família ElizaldeBiada i que encarnen l’èxode massiu de la població rural a les grans ciutats. En la penombra de la Sala Carme Biada, l’obra de Kati Riquelme sembla aturar i resignificar el temps. De l’aparent fragilitat i lleugeresa etèria de les bossetes de te n’emergeix un univers
infantil filtrat en blau indi cru. Sobre el petit paper porós, fragments de records ens obliguen a aguditzar els sentits, fer una ullada a allò imperceptible i emprendre un viatge que connecta diversos canals d’existència.

Les bossetes de te amb les quals treballa Riquelme també podrien remetre a un passat industrial i al naixement del comerç a gran escala. El te és un excitant que ens permet estar desperts per continuar produint, però segons quines varietats també poden representar l’avantsala del son.

La tecnologia blueprint va ser inventada el 1842 per Sir John Herschel com una forma econòmica de reproduir dibuixos,
diagrames i plans d’arquitectura o enginyeria. Aquesta mateixa tecnologia s’utilitza per crear impressions fotogràfiques de cianotípia en les quals les imatges es revelen a través de l’exposició al sol i el temps.

“CARME BIADA INTERPRETADA PER LES FLORS”
KATERINA ASHCHE

Desembre, 1925
Poc després de la mort d’Arturo Elizalde

“La meva mare va manar cridar a tots els empleats de la casa, els va reunir al pati i va ordenar formar un munt amb tots els plànols i papers relacionats amb l’automoció que hi havia a la fàbrica, i a continuació va ordenar cremar-los per a imbuir al personal d’esperit aeronàutic.”

A aquella pira li va succeir després una altra ordre de desballestar tots els monoplaces de competició.

Miguel Elizalde Biada
El Periódico (2017)

Carme prepara el casament del seu setè fill, Pedro. Fa deu anys que és vídua i, a més d’encarregar-se de la seva nombrosa família, també és presidenta d’Elizalde, SA. Té 60 anys i el cabell gris. S’asseu al seu escriptori i escriu cartes. La primera la dirigeix a la
floristeria per demanar les flors del casament. Tria gira-sols perquè són un símbol de l’amor incondicional, la felicitat i l’optimisme.

Una altra carta la dirigeix a una amiga llunyana. Hi reflexiona sobre la mort de l’Arturo i el canvi sobtat en la seva vida: de ser només esposa i mare de nou fills, troba una força desconeguda, esdevé la cap d’una gran empresa automobilística i s’encarrega de fer realitat el somni del seu marit.

Aquestes cartes, presumptament escrites durant els preparatius del casament, es relacionen amb una sèrie d’objectes
quotidians, domèstics i industrials que representen facetes diferents de la vida de Biada i entronquen la Casa Elizalde
amb el Mercat de la Concepció i el context històric de l’època.

The Discourse Project

The Discourse Project

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416] is a mirror covered ring with the same shape and dimensions as the fountains in the lake of the Parc d’Espanya Industrial in Barcelona. The art installation was originally created for the ephemeral and site specific onsite exhibition I curated in July this year.

After the event, I decided to create a journey through various space- and time-specific locations and create a ‘spin off’ series: The Discourse Project










Although the artwork is the same, it’s installation in each location makes it site specific. This can be seen in the title given to each installation, such as Discourse [14.4446, 35.9148]. The numbers in the artwork’s title refer to the project’s longitude and latitude. Therefore these digits vary from location to location, just as it’s interaction is particular to these varied space and time conditions. At the end, there is one constant: the ring includes a marker and it always points North.

The ring installation is covered with mirrors. This mirrored surface brings what is “up there” to the ground. They reflect what’s above and contrast it with the ground below.
An uncontrolled and totally site specific phenomenon is the Discourse between the installation and the low lying sun rays coming through depending on the time of the day. This interaction creates a glow of light on the ground furthering the ring’s communication with this site.

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416]

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416]

Ring shaped mirror on grass

The idea behind this installation was born with my fascination with the circular unused fountains found in the lake at the Parc d’Espanya Industrial.

img_2414

This ring was adopted as a base for my own structure using the same dimensions of the fountain itself. The structure was then covered with mirror thus allowing the ring to “discourse” with its surroundings.

The installation has an internal as well as an external discourse. The shape of the ring itself is very symbolic and has many significant internal references. An interesting article I found on the symbolism of the circle.

img_2354

The external discourse of the ring with its surroundings is also to be taken into consideration.

As mentioned previously, the ring is covered with mirrors. These mirrors reflect the light, trees, people and the general ambient of the park. They bring what is “up there” to the ground – to the soil, grass and fallen leaves. Depending on the sun’s position, the mirrors either contrast with the earth by reflecting the illuminated sky and sun, or they blend in and become practically invisible, camouflaged in the dark.

A third discourse would be with the geographical location itself. The ring has been cut and assembled onsite to create the shape. The cuts are made to represent longitude and latitude lines.

This geographical discourse is reflected in the artwork’s name. The numbers 41.3777, 2.1416 refer to the project’s exact longitude and latitude in the park and the ring includes a marker that marks North.

img_2344

The idea is to start a journey with this installation and create new discourses in new locations in other geographical locations, always pointing North.

The ring will be the same, the numbers will change, the discourse will evolve and each location will leave its mark on the ring’s surface.

***

Discourse [41.3777, 2.1416] is a site specific installation created for the first public exhibition I have curated called Artist Takeover Vol:1 in the Park. More info about the event available by clicking on this link.

The passage of time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A #series of #unfiltered #abstract #photography #art series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #facebook #iron #concrete #wall #distressed #visualpoetry #facebook #art #urban #stories and #narrativeshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUI_6SwjWl2/ via Instagram

The passage of time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A #series of #unfiltered #abstract #photography #art series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #facebook #iron #concrete #wall #distressed #visualpoetry #facebook #art #urban #stories and #narrativeshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUI_1cRDh38/ via Instagram

The passage of time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A #series of #unfiltered #abstract #photography #art series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #facebook #iron #concrete #wall #distressed #visualpoetry #facebook #art #urban #stories and #narrativeshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUI_y9GD096/ via Instagram

The Line Runs Through

The Line goes through. An #investigaton on the #border #frontier #edge from one #reality to another creating a #line. All #photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles this time: a #crocodile #aligator . Another #instagram 3 column grid #photography #series. #art by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUGcLlGj840/ via Instagram

The Line Runs Through

The Line goes through. An #investigaton on the #border #frontier #edge from one #reality to another creating a #line. All #photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles this time: a #crocodile #aligator . Another #instagram 3 column grid #photography #series. #art by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUGcG24jREd/ via Instagram

The Line Runs Through

The Line goes through. An #investigaton on the #border #frontier #edge from one #reality to another creating a #line. All #photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles this time: a #turtle #tortoise coming up for air. Another #instagram 3 column grid #photography #series. #art by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUGb-6CDQxe/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A new #photography #art series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood also on #facebook
#floor #pavements #textureshttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUD4A6QDhe4/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A new #photography #art series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood also on #facebook
#oxidized #metalhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUD31kUjxOM/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

One of my old #paintings on the journey life takes us through just started a new journey of its own and is currently on its way to Santiago de Campostella to start a new life there. Whilst bidding farewell to it, I realized just how similar the #textured #narrative theme is to the work I am still attracted to and producing today. Painting #detail by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #barcelona #arthttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUD3paijR8J/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

Investigating #curved #edges from photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles mainly a #snake and #crocodile #aligator Making #abstract #designs from live #animal #skins and creating a #flow between the #photos in the #instagram 3 column grid.
An #art #photography series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUBdSLiDoC8/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

Investigating #curved #edges from photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles mainly a #snake and #crocodile #aligator Making #abstract #designs from live #animal #skins and creating a #flow between the #photos in the #instagram 3 column grid.
An #art #photography series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUBdPhzjhf5/ via Instagram

Flow of lines

Investigating #curved #edges from photos taken at the #barcelona #zoo with #reptiles mainly a #snake and #crocodile #aligator Making #abstract #designs from live #animal #skins and creating a #flow between the #photos in the #instagram 3 column grid.
An #art #photography series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood Also on #facebookhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUBdEBADMhu/ via Instagram

Oxygen & the Passage of Time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A new #photography #series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood This project is part of the instagram #art project where #edges and #lines #flow through the Instagram 3 column grid. Also on #facebook #distressed #concrete #floor #greenhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT-uFe8D3-2/ via Instagram

Oxygen & the Passage of Time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A new #photography #series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood This project is part of the instagram #art project where #edges and #lines #flow through the Instagram 3 column grid. Also on #facebook #distressed #wallhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT-t95vjVQi/ via Instagram

Oxygen & the Passage of Time

The #passage of #time and #oxygen on a given surface. #Oxidization changes #textures, #colours and #structures in #inanimate surfaces thus giving #life to the #inorganic.
A new #photography #series by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood This project is part of the instagram #art project where #edges and #lines #flow through the Instagram 3 column grid. Also on #facebook #oxidized #metalhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT-t4NFjayV/ via Instagram
(un)processed: red meat

(un)processed: red meat

Have we become so used to eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Is food processing turning into a kind of #foodcensorship? Processed #photos of #unprocessed food so that it is not #bloody #humanlike or #offensive anymore. Photos of #redmeat found in my #localsupermarket in #barcelona – #photography by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #barcelona If you like my #artwork please #follow my #facebook page and #artblog . A condensed and better explained version will shortly be available on my website.http://ift.tt/2r43h47 via Instagram
(un)processed: red meat

(un)processed: red meat

Have we become so used to eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Is food processing turning into a kind of #foodcensorship? Processed #photos of #unprocessed food so that it is not #bloody #humanlike or #offensive anymore. Photos of #redmeat found in my #localsupermarket in #barcelona – #photography by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #barcelona If you like my #artwork please #follow my #facebook page and #artblog . A condensed and better explained version will shortly be available on my website.http://ift.tt/2r40ms6 via Instagram
(un)processed: red meat

(un)processed: red meat

Have we become so used to eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Is food processing turning into a kind of #foodcensorship? Processed #photos of #unprocessed food so that it is not #bloody #humanlike or #offensive anymore. Photos of #redmeat found in my #localsupermarket in #barcelona – #photography by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #barcelona If you like my #artwork please #follow my #facebook page and #artblog . A condensed and better explained version will shortly be available on my website.http://ift.tt/2pBePKT via Instagram
(un)Processed

(un)Processed


Have we become so used to #eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Processed #photo of #unprocessed food. Found in #barcelona – #photography of #cleaned #white #intestine #textures #casqueria by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #artbarcelona #instagramproject #art #facebook #artbloghttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT3AkuQj1I7/ via Instagram

(un)Processed

(un)Processed

Have we become so used to #eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Processed #photo of #unprocessed food. Found in #barcelona – #photography of #cleaned #white #intestine #textures #casqueria by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #artbarcelona #instagramproject #art #facebook #artbloghttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT3Ahilj9u_/ via Instagram
(un)Processed

(un)Processed

Have we become so used to #eating #processed #food that we have lost touch with the reality of our actions? Processed #photo of #unprocessed food. Found in #barcelona – #photography of #cleaned #white #intestine #textures #casqueria by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #artbarcelona #instagramproject #art #facebook #artbloghttps://www.instagram.com/p/BT3AcwkDdmm/ via Instagram

Some #investigations on how the change of #perspective and the use of #filters convey a different #narrative and #emotions . View from #torredembarra to #altafulla on the costa daurada during the #beautiful #sea #storm a few days ago photographed at #dusk #twilight – #photography by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother living in #barcelona during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #art #artbarcelona #artblog

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2qqQyeg

Seascapes: the storm

Some #investigations on how the change of #perspective and the use of #filters convey a different #narrative and #emotions . View from #torredembarra to #altafulla on the costa daurada during the #beautiful #sea #storm a few days ago photographed at #dusk #twilight – #photography by #alexiamedici a #maltese #artist and #mother living in #barcelona during her #artistresidencyinmotherhood #art #artbarcelona #artblog
via Instagram http://ift.tt/2pGvcc3
A Narrative of Edges

A Narrative of Edges

An ongoing artistic investigation on beginnings and endings…

Some thoughts:

I loved my father. His life ended.
I was a carefree and ambitious art student. That life ended.
I was young and free. That life ended.

My daughter was born. Motherhood started.
My father life ended whilst I was pregnant. My son’s life hadn’t even started.
Something about endings and beginnings fascinate me. I cannot pinpoint exactly what I am working on, but as I work and as I write, my thoughts become more clear.

On the Rocks

On the Rocks

Last weekend, we spent a relaxed weekend with friends (and kids) in a beautiful masia on the outskirts of Llagostera. Sent the kids up to their huge room for a pyjama party and the adults finally got some time to ourselves. Whilst we chatted and debated, I sometimes stopped and just looked around. And then started taking these photographs of people’s drinks. I loved the mood they set, I hope you like them.

photo-16-11-2016-23-53-49photo-16-11-2016-23-41-44photo-16-11-2016-23-46-19photo-16-11-2016-23-07-37

#alexiamedici #whiskey #ice #tempest#glass #abstract #art #masia #inspiration#creation #quiet #art #visualpoetry #light#dark #mood #photooftheday #beautiful#instalike #photography #iphoneography#instamood #followme #lightplay#shadowplay #instagood #icetexture

the Universe Within

the Universe Within

alexiamedici

Pause. Feel connected. Reach out.

I’ve been feeling grounded recently. It feels good. It feels natural. I feel more aware of myself, my faults, other people’s faults. It’s ok. With perspective it’s understandable. From a distance it’s not painful. It’s the way we are wired. It’s ok.

I was eating a tangerine whilst speaking to my daughter. I like the stem, it looks like roots. The tangerine peel then evolved to this.. This is where I am just now.

alexiamedici

Meditation. Inspiration. Self.

Meditation. Inspiration. Self.

A few days ago I had a couple of hours to myself, free from kids, free from obligations. I didn’t have to react to anything, I could act on whatever I wanted.

I took a long hot shower, listened to Chopin and just relaxed. I wanted to save this moment, so I took a photo of myself just out of the shower in a bathroom steaming with ideas. A portrait to help ground me in future situations.


In the end, the photo I presented looks like this…

The Rain

The Rain

I love it when it rains.

Outside, all sounds are muted, all looks grey, everybody seems to be dressed in black.

Inside, I’m floating inside my little bubble. I can smell the rain, feel the rain, I am the rain. I am melancholic, I’m grey, no masks on, I’m clean, I’m alive.

The rain leaves, the kids wake up, people wear colour, the city is noisy. All I have left are little, beautiful drops of what was. My delicate bubble, a diamond.

alexiamedicialexiamedici

#rain #quiet #melancholy #drops #purple #photography #art #visualpoetry #light #dark #photopainting #mood #photooftheday #beautiful #instalike #photography #iphoneography #instamood #followme #lightplay #shadowplay #instagood #inspiration by #alexiamedici

The Bottle

The Bottle

There was a bottle. 

A bottle that contained a special smell. 

A few minutes ago the bottle broke. 

The smell has gone. 

The bottle belonged to my father. 

He too has gone. 

He has gone to the sea, the bottle is in the bin.

I am here.


#nofilter #noeffects #broken #grief #loss #memory #videoart #art #visualpoetry #abstractart #light #dark #green #bottle #perfume #gone #abstractart #mood #beautiful #lightplay #shadowplay #abstract #inspiration by #alexiamedici

On Inspiration (series)

On Inspiration (series)

Inspiration I: a Balloon of Gold Dust, Perfume and Glitter

This has probably been my best week in a very long time… I had a lovely catch up with fellow artist / personal inspiration Rebecca Lyne, then had another great talk with another amazing artist Ely Daou and finished off the week by going to Swab, Barcelona’s internacional contemporary art fair.

After speaking to Ely I explained that I felt inspired like a balloon full of gold dust, perfume and glitter. This feeling stayed with me all weekend and now I’ve got something to show…

Inspiration II: Opulent, Musty and Magical

I have decided to make a three part series on this theme with this piece being the second.
The colours used are meant to represent the richness, sensuality and intimacy one feels when feeling inspired. There’s a whole universe spreading out from the seed of one ephemeral, fertile and opulent thought.

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Inspiration III: The Butterflies Within

This is the final photo from the Inspiration series of photos. It’s called The Butterflies Within which is self explanatory really. I just hope to keep the inspiration on fire for as long as possible to fuel my many upcoming personal and artistic projects :)

Synonyms: animated, aroused, eager, enthusiastic, excited, impassioned, juiced up, passionate, stirred up, excited, aroused, awakened, beside oneself, charged, delighted, feverish, fired up, high, inspired, juiced up, keyed up, moved, on fire, passionate, pumped, stimulated.

 

Conclusion – New Life

Conclusion – New Life

First I was melancholic, then I was sad, then I found some way to express myself. I was baffled as I didn’t understand what I was up to. I called the pieces Untitled and moved on. Making the pieces made me feel in tune with myself and I got inspired and my energy came back. I thought about my father lots and sometimes got melancholic again, but not for long. Most of it had passed. Then I realized that the anniversary of my father’s death was approaching and this is what had probably triggered off these experiences. Now I understand and accept giving me a sense of peace. After Coming out of the Dark, I can now conclude with Conclusion – New Life. It does not cut off from my previous experiences but it is a coming together and closing the circle thus starting a new chapter.

new life warm

 

In my visual language, darkness is not something to be scared about, or something to stay away from. Darkness can be comforting, it is an unknown, but a comfortable or even friendly unknown and this is shown in the warm and rich hues it which it is embedded.

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? Will this ever heal? Do I want it to?

Coming out of the Dark

Coming out of the Dark

In my visual language, darkness is not something to be scared about, or something to stay away from. Darkness can be comforting, it is an unknown, but a comfortable or even friendly unknown and this is shown in the warm and rich hues it which it is embedded.

In this picture, Coming out of the Dark refers to an understanding of this darkness, what it represents (my melancholy triggered by my father’s passing away) and an acceptance. This understanding and acceptance allows me move on whilst carrying these emotions with me.

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? Will this ever heal? Do I want it to?
Photo 25-04-16 18 06 03

Ode to a loved soul

Ode to a loved soul

I can feel your energy

My father was my mentor, the one who really shaped my perspective about life, love and all things abstract.

He was also a friend who whom I could debate and learn from life’s many lessons. He’s given me ambition, thought me how to think out of the box and follow my intuition and dreams, no matter what.

He also thought me to know what I want in life, so that if it comes across my path, I will recognize it.
I miss him deeply, but I also know that he is always with me, sometimes by my side, and at other times checking on me and my family from far away. These photos represent just this. The energies of a loved one close by, felt by my soul, yet invisible to my eyes.

I know you're here
“I know you’re here”

I know you're there
Warmth “Warmth”

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? I know that I miss him and try to fit his presence in my everyday life, however I still catch myself crying every now and again, especially if I come across a photo of his that I hadn’t seen before, or if a movie or a story reminds me of him, his greatness or his sickness. Will this ever heal? Do I want it to? Will I forget him? This thought terrifies me….

Connecting Energies

Connecting Energies

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? I know that I miss him and try to fit his presence in my everyday life, however I still catch myself crying every now and again, especially if I come across a photo of his that I hadn’t seen before, or if a movie or a story reminds me of him, his greatness or his sickness. Will this ever heal? Do I want it to? Will I forget him? This thought terrifies me….

This photo is called “connection” as through it I feel as though I can somehow connect to my late father.

Photo 25-04-16 17 47 05 (1)

A Visual Poem

A Visual Poem

In my visual language, darkness is not something to be scared about, or something to stay away from. Darkness can be comforting, it is an unknown, but a comfortable or even friendly unknown and this is shown in the warm and rich hues it which it is embedded.

The second year of my father’s passing away is fast approaching. This is bringing a whole new set on unknown emotions to the surface which I am trying to process. Am I feeling melancholic? Am I at peace with his death? Will this ever heal? Do I want it to?


Photo 25-04-16 18 06 03

ɪˈfɛmərəl/ where I am now..

ɪˈfɛmərəl/ where I am now..

Ephemeral /ɪˈfɛmərəl/

Synonyms: fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
adjective: lasting for only a short time; transitory; short-lived: ephemeral pleasure
noun: a short-lived organism, such as the mayfly
a plant that completes its life cycle in less than one year, usually less than six months

Word Origin: C16: from Greek ephēmeros lasting only a day, from hēmera day

***

I am unto something, but I don’t know what it is yet.. all I know is that it’s ephemeral.

During my late father’s sickness I worked on a series of painting and ideas called “energies” whereby I tried to express my feeling of having one life form passed on to another, whereby energy does not start, and does not end with death, it evolves into something else… This something else has been very fascinating to me.

During the summer, we traveled to Galicia (Northern Spain) and this amazing marine fauna inspired me .. it kind of relates to my previous investigations of energies and life and are totally ephemeral – you can only see them when the tide is low.

Playa de Los Catedrales is part of a process that is taking me somewhere new.
I still have to work on it and understand where I want to go with it, but I do know is that it is something ephemeral.

Ephemeral: On Mussels & Barnacles II

Ephemeral: On Mussels & Barnacles II

I am unto something, but I don’t know what it is yet.. all I know is that it’s ephemeral.

During my late father’s sickness I worked on a series of painting and ideas called “energies” whereby I tried to express my feeling of having one life form passed on to another, whereby energy does not start, and does not end with death, it evolves into something else… This something else has been very fascinating to me.

During the summer, we traveled to Galicia (Northern Spain) and this amazing marine fauna inspired me .. they touch on my previous investigations of energies and are totally ephemeral – you can only see them when the tide is low.

Playa de Los Catedrales is part of a process that is taking me somewhere new. I still have to work on it and understand where I want to go, all I know is that it is something ephemeral.

  


  

  

Xardíns de Mosquera Pérez

Xardíns de Mosquera Pérez

As you might remember last year on the 27th July, my darling father had passed away. Three months later my beautiful son, Tommy, was born.

I had made one post to welcome and introduce him and then went quiet, for a very long time.

Even though I haven’t totally made peace with my father’s death, this time has allowed me to assimilate what has happened, grow and appreciate all the good things that have been given to me. Mainly my family, dearest friends, health, and of course Art. 

I have thought about Art a lot during this period, but produced practically nothing, until my father’s birthday on the 15th August.

Whilst visiting friends in Santiago de Campostella, Galicia, I felt totally at peace and took some beautiful photos. 

  

This is my favourite. The statues, the path, the movement of the trees… They seemed to represent my state of mind at the time being.

In my next posts will show some more photos taken during this trip. I hope you like them :)