#this artist has incredible work and i really love the ceramic statues | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

jacquelinemurray1961 · 5 years ago

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P A S S C R I T E R I A C H E C K L I S T

In order to make sure each student studying the Fine Art Diploma is on track with their Final Major Project, our tutors have asked us to provide information digitally that confirms we have all met the pass criteria. We are uplaoding this on here due to our current isolation and the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

P1: Propose a time-bound Final Major Project

Prior to Covid-19, I had created a weekly schedule of activity that was given to my tutors as part of my Statement of Intent. It can be found at the beginning of my Sketchbook as I refer to the criteria throughout. With this being said, the original proposal I had for my Final Major Project has been slightly modified to adjust to the current situation of lockdown and the limitations that has brought to the project.

P2: Research relevant historical, cultural and contemporary sources

Please see below a list of sources I have used to inspire and educate my process throughout the Final Major Project.

Books

With Henry Moore: Artist at Work Hardcover – 16 Nov. 1978

Camille: Life of Camille Claudel, Rodin's Muse and Mistress - 22 Sept. 1988

Marini (Twentieth-century masters) Hardcover – 1 Jan. 1971

Artists

Evelyn Galinski, Igor Mitoraj, Auguste René Rodin, Camille Claudel, Henri Émile Benoît Matisse, Henry Spencer Moore, Christophe Charbonnel, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Fabio Viale, Park Ki Pyung, Edgar Degas, Michael Hardy, Andrew Sinclair

Websites

Youtube Videos: Mostly informative, how-to style videos by Sidney Cumbie

https://www.goshen.edu/art/DeptPgs/rework.html

https://www.benam.co.uk/products/lifecasting

https://thepotterywheel.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-pottery-clay-to-dry/

https://www.widewalls.ch/database/

https://www.artnet.com/price-database/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8PXzi8yI6QIVYIBQBh0jfQy6EAAYASAAEgISDvD_BwE

https://www.itsliquid.com/category/art

https://www.beatricebrandini.it/mitoraj-angels-of-the-miracles/?lang=en

http://www.anaussieinitaly.com/2015/01/23/igor-mitoraj-angels/

https://www.bouillondart.com/fr/

https://www.artsper.com/en/

https://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com/

https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/

Galeries and Museums

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Museum of Arts and Design

The Whitney Museum of American Art

Museum of Modern Art

National Museum of the American Indian

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

P3: Apply appropriate references to the realisation of the Final Major Project

My initial idea was not that lucid. It was more of a sense of feeling of what i wanted to capture and express, primarily sculpturally. In order to gather more of a solid focus for the direction of my FMP, I looked at artists who reflected and expressed their own sculptural works in a way that aligned with my own aesthetics. These artists started with Evelyn Galinski, Igor Mitoraj and Auguste René Rodin. Along the way, I discovered historical and contemporary artists who also proved to be very inspirational to me and thus, helped me to develop my final idea for the FMP. My goal was to create a sculpture that centered around the subject of lovers and the unspoken language that is expressed with just one look or touch. I experimented in the sculpture room with alginate, modroc and latex to get a feel for the materials. This led me to make a series of male and female maquettes which was a preliminary idea for my Final Major Project of life size body castings using alginate. I created fragmented, almost classical, maquettes reminiscent of the ancient Greek and Roman statues with their broken limbs. From here, the plan was to cast life size body parts of two people in love. This idea came to a stop due to the fact I didn’t have all of the correct materials at that time to use at home during Covid-19 lockdown. I referred back to my sketchbook and took a look at my original ideas and thoughts and decided that in order to progress in the newfound challenging times, I would work again with the sculptures from my previous pathway project ‘Mend and Repair’. I used these sculptures to develop the idea from my initial drawings in my sketchbook, further expressing sculpturally by using clay and taking several casts of the male and female faces to create a 3d creation that still manages to convey the fundamental principle of my ideas. Along with the 3D project i also had gathered images to explore the possibility of capturing further unveiled moments using paint as my medium, demonstrating the carefree abandonment and joy of a child running.

P4: Appraise the effectiveness of the Final Major Project development

The development of my FMP started off very slow. Due to me being unsure of how I initially wanted my final piece to look, I procrastinated a lot which in retrospect, held me back creatively. With this being said, I feel that each part of this process has led smoothly into the next. My exploration in painting has been not only therapeutic but has helped me to develop my own style, reminiscent of Monet. Alongside my painting, I have incorporated my knowledge from my previous Pathway ‘Art in Nature’ which has helped me to resolve the issues of firing my 3D sculpture in my garden.

P5: Identify and follow up issues, responses and dilemmas

Throughout the process of creating my FMP, i have come up against several issues, responses and dilemmas. The main one being Covid-19 and all of the restrictions that come with it. Loosing the use of our college facilities, alongside immediate peer and tutor feedback has really been challenging. I believe being able to physically share our work with each other and give face to face feedback is crucial in the development process. With this being said, I have been active in asking for help, advice and feedback from my peers, technicians and tutors throughout isolation in other mediums. I have actively been using a peer group chat where we discuss our work and are able to send images and videos to one another. My peers have been encouraging whilst sending positive advice on how i can improve and explore further. I have also spoken on the phone to fellow students and have had constant contact via Whatsapp with another. I have been checking in with the tutors via email and video call on Zoom to discuss the development of my FMP. I have found sharing my progress via the internet incredibly hard as i am not IT savvy. Talking via email, as opposed to in person, has been a particularly hard challenge for me. In response to these issues, my family have been with me every step of the way, encouraging me and helping with the IT side of things and giving their opinion on my artwork too. I have been learning new IT skills and dealing with the sporadic internet and printing facilities as best as I can.

In terms of creative issues throughout this project, I have only really struggled with two elements - the first being a lack of resources. Due to me having no kiln to fire my sculptures in, I have instead used a dustbin in my garden. I have been unable to reach the correct temperature for firing due to only burning wood and straw, which is all that is currently available to me. This affects the length of burn time and thus can cause the ceramic pieces to not be fired as effectively as possible. The second element that I have come up against is how to construct the frame to hold my FMP. Should Covid-19 not have happened, I would have asked the technicians for help. As they are not currently physically available to do so, I have instead asked the local farmer for assistance as he is able to weld. He has agreed to help me construct the frame out of a rusted old gate and currently seems to be enjoying the project.

P 6: Reflect on Exploratory and Pathway stages in relation to the FMP

This has been answered through my previous responses. Please refer to criteria P1-5.

P7: Propose alternative resolutions

This has been answered through my previous responses. Please refer to criteria P1-5.

P8: Exhibit a Final Major Project

My exhibit will take place in my garden for neighbours, family and local farmers to see in passing. I will also upload images and videos of the FMP to this account, my sketchbook and my PDF.

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freenewstoday · 4 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://freenews.today/2021/03/12/trump-as-youve-never-seen-him-before/

Trump as You’ve Never Seen Him Before

There is no shortage of merchandise in China devoted to the former president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. There are commemorative coins, toilet brushes and cat toys; countless figurines, including updated versions of Mount Rushmore, plus all those flags, bumper stickers and hats from campaigns past and future. (Does anyone still believe all that “Make America Great Again” stuff was really made in America?)

Enter the Trump Buddha.

A furniture maker and decorator in southern China has cast a sculpture of Mr. Trump in ceramic whiteware, his legs crossed and hands serenely resting in his lap. He is draped in a monk’s robes, his head is lowered and his eyes are closed, as if in meditative repose, an emotional state not typically associated with the 45th president of the United States.

The artist calls it “Trump, the Buddha of Knowing of the Western Paradise.”

“He has been already very successful, but now he is still tormenting himself, being obsessed, having a lot of ideas and doubts,” the creator, Hong Jinshi, said when asked about his inspiration.

Mr. Hong’s sculpture reflects an abiding cultural fascination with Mr. Trump in China that began with his election. Many admired his brash style, his family’s business ties to China and even his early courtship of China’s leader, Xi Jinping, whom he called “an incredible guy.”

Admiration for Mr. Trump in China arguably peaked during his visit to Beijing in 2017. Since then, his image has soured along with relations with the United States. The fraying of those ties were exacerbated by a bitter trade war, the coronavirus pandemic and a re-election campaign in which Mr. Trump used China as a cudgel to attack the ultimate winner, President Biden.

Mr. Hong, 43, lives and works in an old cement factory turned workshop and gallery, in the coastal city of Xiamen. He conceived the work last year, but only recently completed the first few sculptures. He put those up for sale on the online vendor Taobao, offering two sizes, one at just taller than 6 inches and another at 18 inches. He is asking the equivalent of $153 and $615.

In the description, he wryly added, “Make your company great again.” And judging from comments online, some potential customers were buying into the pitch, as if adoration of the statue could bring good fortune.

“It may have something to do with my personality,” Mr. Hong said. “I love teasing people and making jokes.”

Mr. Trump “is still having fights with all kinds of this and that every day,” he said of the former president’s penchant for brawling with opponents. “So I think this image is exactly the opposite extreme of him and his personality.”

Mr. Hong’s Taobao listing went viral online, drawing the attention of The Global Times, a state newspaper, and others this week.

He has so far sold about 100 sculptures, but this being China, where intellectual property rights are loosely enforced at best, knockoffs have already been produced, selling on Taobao for a fraction of the cost of his originals. He has complained to Taobao, but the pirates have simply changed photos and updated their listings to keep ahead.

His is not the first Trump sculpture in the news lately. Another, also reportedly made in China, appeared last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida, along with Mr. Trump himself.

It remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump’s legacy as artistic muse will be as enduring as, say, Mao Zedong’s. It may depend on Mr. Trump’s political future. Trump 2024 merchandise is already available online.

Mr. Hong considers the Trump Buddha a work in progress. He said the wrinkles on Mr. Trump’s lips are too deep, creating an effect incongruous with his vision. He said he has given no thought of creating a sculpture of Mr. Biden, though he is fascinated by another prominent American entrepreneur, Elon Musk.

He has set aside the first of 100 numbered pieces of the larger works for a particular patron. If possible, he said, he would like to give one to Mr. Trump.

“He has been very, very successful, so from a religious point of view, he should just let go at this time,” he said. “He should enjoy his life at this age.”

Claire Fu contributed research.

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travelguy4444 · 6 years ago

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Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019

Posted: 1/7/19 | January 7th, 2019

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It’s a city that I’ve been to many times.

Once a major city in the Roman Empire, the city still places an important role in the region and is home to millions of residents and visitors enjoying all the delicious sangria and gin, mouthwatering food, stunning beaches, warm weather, the rich history and culture, and unique architecture that Barcelona is famous for.

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant, fun, energetic cities in the world.

Barcelona is such a popular place that in recent years it’s even had to clamp down on “overtourism” to help reduce the number of visitors. (This is something I fully agree with since cities must learn to balance tourism with local life.)

With so much to see and do in and around Barcelona, where do you begin? How many days do you need to visit?

I think to really get a feel for Barcelona you should plan for four or five days. While you could see it in less, you’ll do yourself a disservice if you rush your visit. This is a city of late night dinners, late morning, and afternoon siestas.

Life isn’t rushed here and neither should your visit.

This 2-5 day itinerary highlights all the best things to see and do and help you organize your visit so you can see it all!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 1

Take a free walking tour

I love free walking tours. I think they are a wonderful way to get to know a new city, find your way around, and learn some history in the process. (And, since they are filled with traveler too, they can also be a good way to meet other people.) My recommended walking tour companies in Barcelona are:

Sandeman’s

Free Walking Tours Barcelona

Free Tours By Foot

Get lost in the Barri Gotic

Barcelona’s old Gothic Quarter is my favorite part of town, filled with narrow, winding streets and historic buildings. Spend a few hours getting lost in this district. To me, it’s the most beautiful area in the city. The area also has numerous attractions worth seeing:

Barcelona History Museum – Barcelona has one of the best city history museums I’ve ever visited, including 4,000 square meters of Roman ruins beneath the museum that you can walk through. There is a free, detailed audio guide and meticulous explanations of the exhibits. If you do one thing in the city, make it this. I visit every time I’m in Barcelona. The ruins are just stunning. Admission is €7. Address: Plaça del Rei.

The Grand Royal Palace – The Palau Reial Major (near the history museum) was the home of Barcelona’s counts and later the kings of Aragon. It has a very detailed history about the city and region through the centuries. Admission is €7. Free on the first Sunday of the month and every Sunday after 3pm. Address: Plaça del Rei.

Chapel of Santa Àgata – This royal chapel was built in 1302. The most interesting thing inside is the beautiful altarpiece, made by Jaume Huguet, that was added in the 15th century. It contains beautiful paintings of religious symbols in the style of the Middle Ages. Don’t miss it! Admission is €7. Address: Plaça del Rei.

Barcelona Cathedral – Built in the late 13th to early 15th centuries, this is a classic Gothic cathedral with huge spires, colorful stained glass, and incredible wood carvings. If you go inside, pay the extra €3 to visit the terraces, where you’ll get an incredible view of Barcelona. Admission is €7, though you can sometimes get in for free (there’s no apparent schedule to this). Address: Placita de la Seu, 3.

Explore Gaudí’s architecture

Gaudí is Barcelona’s most famous and creative architect. His unique style, use of nature motifs, and catalog of work is legendary – and part of the reason so many people visit the city. No visit to the city is complete without a tour of Gaudí’s works. You can find them everywhere — in addition to the buildings listed below, he even designed lampposts, monuments, and sculptures. Here are the best sights to see:

Park Güell – Park Güell is a 45-acre garden complex designed and built between 1900 to 1914. It’s since been converted into a municipal garden and is now a World Heritage Site. The focal point of the park is the main terrace, which is surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. Known for incorporating various themes into his work, Gaudí incorporated artistic elements of Catalan nationalism as well as ancient poetry and mysticism into this work. The park is right near La Sagrada Familia so it’s easy to visit both. I like how colorful everything in the park is! Tickets are €8.50, at the ticket office, or €7.50 when you order in advance online. Children six years old and younger are free. Address: Carrer d’Olot.

La Sagrada Família – The most famous of Gaudí’s work….and one that seems to never be finished. The church has been under construction for over than 100 years (the groundbreaking was in 1882 and is supposed to be done in 2030!). Gaudí was a devout Catholic and spent the last 10 years of his life working on this project. The church blends influences of man, nature, and religion in its detailed architecture. The audio guide is worth purchasing as it covers the history of the church in great detail. Try to visit mid-morning to late afternoon so you can witness the sunlight cascade throughout all the stained glass. Admission is €15 online/€18 at the door. Address: Plaça de la Sagrada Familia.

Casa Batlló – Casa Batllo is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí in the early 1900s. He spent 2 years on the project completely revamping the exterior, main floor, patio, and roof. With its undulating shape, it’s definitely one of the more eye-catching of his creations. Located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, it (like everything Gaudí designed) was heavy influenced by the Art Nouveau style. The facade was decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that he collected from the trash of a nearby glass shop. The roof is arched and has been likened to the back of a dragon. It’s one of my favorite Gaudí buildings. Admission is €24.50 online/€28.50 at door. Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43.

Casa Milà (also called La Pedrera) – From 1906 to 1910, Gaudi work on Casa Mila, also known as “La Pedrera” (the stone quarry) as the building has a facade of limestone. The goal was to evoke the sense of a snowy mountain. Gaudí, himself a Catholic and a devotee of the Virgin Mary, also planned for the Casa Milà to be a spiritual symbol and included many religious elements like an excerpt from the rosary prayer on the cornice and statues of Mary, St. Michael, and St. Gabriel. Casa Milà became run down and partially abandoned until it was restored in the late 1980s to its original form. Admission is €22 online/€25 at door. Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 92.

Palau Güell – Located off La Rambla, Palau Guell (Guell Palace) building doesn’t jump out at you like other Gaudí structures. Built from 1886-88, it was designed for one of Gaudi’s patrons, Eusebi Güell. The home is centered around the main room used to entertain high-society guests. The main party room has a high ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky. There are colorful tree-like chimneys on top. It’s a bit creepy and gothic to me. One of my favorites too! Admission is €12 (free on the first Sunday of every month). Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5.

Note: Advanced reservations are recommended for Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo so you can skip the lines!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Visit the Picasso Museum

While I’m not a huge fan of most of Picasso’s later work, it’s still interesting to learn about the life and work of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. With more than 4,000 pieces of art, there certainly is a lot to see here. Admission is €11, with discounts available for students and seniors. Free Thursday evenings, 6-9pm and on the first Sunday of each month. Address: Carrer Montcada, 15-23.

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

This museum has over 5,000 works, including an extensive collection of pieces by Spanish artists such as Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso. There are also works by Americans Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder (who is known for his innovative mobiles). If you love modern art, be sure to add this to your itinerary. Admission is €10, with discounts available. Free Saturdays, 4-8pm. It’s always free for anyone under 14. Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1.

La Boquería

This public market has an amazing array of food stalls and restaurants. It’s been at this location for hundreds of years, in a building with a beautiful iron entrance. It’s right off La Rambla (a long, popular central thoroughfare, see below), so the market is typically very busy. But grab a snack or an inexpensive lunch of ham, bread, cheese, and fruit and enjoy the scene. There’s a wide variety of seafood, including fish, shrimp, octopus, and oysters, as well as nuts, candy, wine, and tapas.

NOTE: Due to overcrowding, tourist groups are now restricted to 15 people or less. You’ll have no problem moving about on your own, but if you’re in a large group….well, be prepared to get kicked out! The city is (appropriately) trying to take back the markets for locals. Watch for changes to how they allow tourists into the market.

Take a stroll on La Rambla

The popular 1.2km long boulevard with a broad but crowded walkway in the center has many beautiful buildings along it including the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the city’s opera house. Near the theater, you can also see a mosaic by Joan Miró. And there are street performers galore here (they even have their own union). While this street is ground zero for tourists in the city (don’t eat at the restaurants here, they suck), it’s worth a stroll down at least once.

Hit the beach

You’ve done a ton of walking so far, so take the afternoon to relax! Barcelona has a wide and long beach, Barceloneta, that is incredibly popular year-round. The water is good to swim in, the sand is golden colored, and there are a lot of good restaurants on the boardwalk. It’s always busy with tourists and locals, however, so walk further from the center to reach some quieter and cleaner beaches, such as Sant Sebastià in the south and Somorrostro in the north.

Watch some flamenco

Spend your evening watching flamenco at one of these places:

Los Tarantos – This is Barcelona’s oldest flamenco venue. It’s a short show (just 30 minutes) so it’s a good place for an introduction to the art and won’t take up your entire night. Admission from €15. Address: Plaça Reial, 17.

Palau Dalmases – One of the best things about the flamenco shows here is the venue. This palace has amazing décor and incredible architecture. Admission is €25, with one drink included. Address: Carrer de Montcada, 20.

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes – This show is in a convenient location on Barcelona’s main walkway, but it’s pricey. Admission is €45 (drink and show) or €79.50 (dinner and show). Address: La Rambla, 35.

Tablao de Carmen – This show typically features excellent performers, and it’s in an interesting venue that’s a replica of a Spanish village. Admission is €43 (drink and show) or €61 (dinner and show). Address: Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13.

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 3

Ride the harbor cable car

The 1,450-meter-long harbor aerial tramway with red cars connects Barceloneta and Montjuïc (a prominent hill). The 10-minute trip gives you incredible views of Barcelona. You’ll see the port and sea on one side and the city on the other. Also, at the top of the 78-meter Sant Sebastià (San Sebastián) tower in Barceloneta, there’s a restaurant accessible by an elevator. A round-trip ticket is €16.50; a one-way ticket is €11.

Explore Montjuïc Hill

When you arrive on the hill from the cable car (or bus #150 if the cable car isn’t in your budget), you’ll find there’s a lot to do here. You can explore the Castell de Montjuïc (a large 18th-century fortress), as well as gardens, a Spanish village, and the Olympic Stadium. Be sure to also visit the Magic Fountain for the colorful water show. You’ll be able to enjoy a sweeping view of the city; watching the sunset from here is amazing too. Some highlights of Montjuïc:

Castell de Montjuïc – This is an old fortress that’s now a museum featuring military displays and information on the history of the castle. The surrounding garden is a beautiful collage of color. Admission is €5. Free Sundays after 3pm and on the first Sunday of each month. Address: Carretera de Montjuïc, 66.

Joan Miró Foundation – Joan Miró was one of Catalonia’s most famous artists. Many of the surrealist’s works are on display in this museum. Admission is €12. Address: Parc de Montjuïc.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – This art museum houses Catalonian art, particularly Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque works. The fountain out front has a spectacular free show that takes place on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm-9pm (from October-December and February-April), and Thursdays-Sundays from 9pm-11:30pm (from May-September). Admission is €12. Free Saturdays after 3pm, the first Sunday of each month, and for visitors under 16 or over 65. Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc.

Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) – The Spanish Village was built in 1929 to resemble an actual traditional village with 117 buildings from different Spanish regions. There’s an Andalusian quarter, a section of the Camino, a monastery, and more. There are also various exhibits here devoted to crafts and contemporary art. It’s a good family activity. Admission is €12.60, with discounted rates for children, students, and seniors. The village is open daily, year-round starting at 9am and closing no earlier than 8pm. Address: Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13.

The Olympic Ring – When Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games, all of the excitement centered around the Olympic Ring: the Olympic Stadium, Palau Sant Jordi, and the Olympic Esplanade. You can roam the entire space for free. Address: Parc de Montjuïc.

Take a food tour or cooking class

Barcelona is a very food-centric city, so I highly recommend a cooking class or a food tour! You’ll learn about traditional Catalan cooking, selecting the freshest ingredients, and using new techniques. You’ll prepare your own meal and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Some companies to check out are:

bcnKITCHEN – (bcnkitchen.com, from €50)

Barcelona Cooking – (barcelonacooking.net, from €65)

Just Royal Bcn – (justroyalbcn.com, from €77).

Context Food Tour – (contexttravel.com, from €80).

Walks – (takewalks.com, from €77).

Devour – (devourbarcelonafoodtours.com, from €69).

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 4

Take a day trip to Girona

This medieval city, just 100km from Barcelona, is one of my favorite destinations in Spain – and far too overlooked by travelers. Here you can climb atop the city walls, wander the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter, and soak up the ambiance at one of its many cafés. They filmed Game of Thrones here too! There’s a lot of history and delicious food in the city!

The Renfe train ride is about 80 minutes on the normal train (return tickets from €20); the high-speed train gets there in 38 minutes (return tickets from €30).

Other Things to See and Do in Barcelona

If you have more than four days in Barcelona, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other activities to fill your time:

Head to Montserrat – The Montserrat mountain range is just outside of the city and makes for a great getaway from Barcelona’s urban atmosphere. You can reach the area by taking a one-hour train ride. Once there, pay a visit to the famous shrine of the Black Madonna at the monastery and walk around the park. The Benedictine monastery and the valley of unique, rocky pillars make for some really awesome photography. Return train tickets are around €20, and you’ll also need to decide whether to take the cable car (my preference) or funicular up the mountain.

Visit an old-school amusement park – Tibidabo Barcelona, built in 1899, is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. On a tall mountain in the Serra de Collserola, it also offers an incredible view of Barcelona and the coastline. It’s open on the weekends, except in the winter. Admission is €28.50 for adults, €10.30 for children under 1.2m tall, and free for children under 0.90m tall. Address: Plaça del Tibidabo, 3.

Catch an outdoor film – If you’re in Barcelona in July or August, consider going up to Montjuïc Castle to catch an outdoor film on the lawn of the castle’s moat. Screenings take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and are preceded by some cool live music.

Watch a soccer match – The first “football” game I ever saw was in Barcelona. It was Espaynol versus Valencia. I still have the shirt I bought that day. Barcelona’s two teams are Espanyol and FC Barcelona and, if a match is going on, try to take in one. Locals are obsessed with the sport and you’ll make a lot of good friends at the game! If you can’t make a game, you can tour the stadium and the FCB (or Barça) Museum. Tour admission is €26 online/€29.50 at the door. Match tickets are from €29, depending on the opponent. Address: C. d’Aristides Maillol, 12.

Visit the aquarium – Perfect for a rainy day, the Barcelona Aquarium has more than 11,000 animals, showcasing species from a variety of underwater ecosystems. The walk-through tunnel is the best part. Admission: €20. Address: Moll d’Espanya, del Port Vell.

Gaze at Barcelona’s free public art – Gaudí outdid himself with the huge fountain located in the Parc de la Ciutadella, a tribute to the god Neptune. I absolutely love the art and fountain here. Gaudi designed the famous Cascada Fountain when he was an architecture student. On a warm day, I just like to sit and stare at the fountain. There’s also a zoo in the park and some short walking paths. Take a bottle of wine, grab some ham, and have a picnic.

Other offbeat Gaudí works include the lampposts in Plaça Reial and Pla de Palau, and the Miralles gate and wall on Passeig de Manuel Girona. Barcelona native Joan Miró’s work is found throughout town, and you can see his famous “Woman and Bird” sculpture at Parc de Joan Miró. There are also Miró mosaics on La Rambla and at the airport.

Take a free bike tour – Free Bike Tour Barcelona offers jaunts around the city every day. The tours are typically at 10am and 2pm, but check the website (freebiketourbarcelona.com) to be sure, as there may be just one tour a day in the off-season. They last about three hours and cover all the major sights. Just be sure to tip your guides!

Where to Eat in Barcelona

For some excellent food, be sure to check out some of my favorite places:

Les Quinze Nits – Delicious food at a great price in the famous Plaça Reial. It’s a bit touristy, but even the locals come here for the value. It has a typical Spanish menu. Avoid the long lines at dinner by going for lunch instead. Address: Plaça Reial, 6.

La Fonda – Good food with large portions, near Plaça Reial. Its set menu will give you more than you can eat, and it features beautiful décor and a robust wine selection. Address: Escudellers, 10.

Allium Restaurant – This is a natural food restaurant that prepares its meals with delicious, local ingredients. It has a nice rustic décor and a friendly staff. It is well priced and my favorite restaurant in Barcelona. Address: Carrer del Call, 17.

Pinotxo Bar – Just inside the Boquería food market, this little stall is always packed and serves some of the most famous tapas in the area. I stopped there while on a food tour, and it was delicious. Try the chickpea salad! Address: La Boquería, La Rambla, 91.

The Four Cats – This was one of Picasso’s favorite haunts and a popular hangout for artists in the early 1900s. Grab a drink and maybe some tapas (the patatas bravas are delicious!) and soak up the place’s history. Address: Carrer de Montsió, 3.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Here’s a list of my favorite places to stay in the city:

Kabul – This is one of my favorite hostels in Europe. It attracts travelers who are looking for a good time. This isn’t a quiet hostel, so be prepared to party. The dorms are very clean, the beds are comfy, and the showers have high pressure. But what makes Kabul so wonderful is the downstairs common area. It takes up a whole floor of the building and comprises a café, bar, tables, internet kiosks, and a pool table. The hostel is booked out weeks in advance, especially during summer, so don’t book at the last minute! Beds from €10.71. Address: Plaça Reial, 17.

Hello BCN – This location is clean, and the beds are comfortable. There’s a super breakfast, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Make sure to ask them for tips about hidden places in town. This is not a party hostel, and you should be able to get some good shut-eye. Beds from €11. Address: Carrer de Lafont, 8-10.

St. Christopher’s Inn – This hostel near La Rambla is all about location: it’s perfect. I really love the curtains on the dorm beds and the gigantic bar/outdoor area next to the hostel. The bar/restaurant has good food and cheap drinks, so you should definitely check it out (even if you don’t stay here). In general, I really like the St. Christopher’s brand; it offers fun, clean, sociable, and modern hostels all over Europe. Beds from €9.90. Address: Carrer de Bergara, 3.

Sant Jordi-Sagrada Família – This is an interesting hostel with a skateboarder vibe. The common area décor is all about urban arts, and the rooms are clean and spacious. The kitchen is big, and you can often find yoga lessons, cheap dinners, and free pub crawls. There’s also a half-pipe, which I’ve never seen at a hostel before. Just watch out for the spotty Wi-Fi. Beds from €14.31. Address: Carrer del Freser, 5.

***

Barcelona has something for everyone. You could squeeze in the real highlights of Barcelona in two or three days, but taking four, five, or even six days for the above itinerary will give you enough time to gorge on Iberian ham, tapas, and sangria while not rushing around.

The city moves slowly. And so should you.

Sleep late, take breaks, eat lots, and just enjoy Barcelona at a Spaniard’s pace!

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Barcelona? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Barcelona with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 8, 11,

The post Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

source https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/barcelona-itinerary/

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vidovicart · 6 years ago

Text

Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019

Posted: 1/7/19 | January 7th, 2019

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It’s a city that I’ve been to many times.

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant, fun, energetic cities in the world.

With so much to see and do in and around Barcelona, where do you begin? How many days do you need to visit?

Life isn’t rushed here and neither should your visit.

This 2-5 day itinerary highlights all the best things to see and do and help you organize your visit so you can see it all!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 1

Take a free walking tour

Sandeman’s

Free Walking Tours Barcelona

Free Tours By Foot

Get lost in the Barri Gotic

Explore Gaudí’s architecture

Note: Advanced reservations are recommended for Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo so you can skip the lines!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Visit the Picasso Museum

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

La Boquería

Take a stroll on La Rambla

Hit the beach

Watch some flamenco

Spend your evening watching flamenco at one of these places:

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 3

Ride the harbor cable car

Explore Montjuïc Hill

Joan Miró Foundation – Joan Miró was one of Catalonia’s most famous artists. Many of the surrealist’s works are on display in this museum. Admission is €12. Address: Parc de Montjuïc.

Take a food tour or cooking class

bcnKITCHEN – (bcnkitchen.com, from €50)

Barcelona Cooking – (barcelonacooking.net, from €65)

Just Royal Bcn – (justroyalbcn.com, from €77).

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 4

Take a day trip to Girona

The Renfe train ride is about 80 minutes on the normal train (return tickets from €20); the high-speed train gets there in 38 minutes (return tickets from €30).

Other things to see and do in Barcelona

If you have more than four days in Barcelona, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other activities to fill your time:

Take a food tour – Barcelona has some of the best food in Spain, and there’s no better way to spend your morning than learning about the food culture of the city. I strongly recommend Context Travel’s food tour, which takes you around the Barri Gothic and the food markets there to highlight the food history and delicacies of the region. One of the most informative and delicious tours I’ve been on in a while; it’s not the cheapest food tour in the city, but I got everything I paid for.

Where to Eat in Barcelona

For some excellent food, be sure to check out some of my favorite places:

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Here’s a list of my favorite places to stay in the city:

***

The city moves slowly. And so should you.

Sleep late, take breaks, eat lots, and just enjoy Barcelona at a Spaniard’s pace!

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for more information on visiting Barcelona? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Barcelona with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 8, 11,

The post Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

0 notes

tamboradventure · 6 years ago

Text

Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019

Posted: 1/7/19 | January 7th, 2019

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It’s a city that I’ve been to many times.

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant, fun, energetic cities in the world.

With so much to see and do in and around Barcelona, where do you begin? How many days do you need to visit?

Life isn’t rushed here and neither should your visit.

This 2-5 day itinerary highlights all the best things to see and do and help you organize your visit so you can see it all!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 1

Take a free walking tour

Sandeman’s

Free Walking Tours Barcelona

Free Tours By Foot

Get lost in the Barri Gotic

Explore Gaudí’s architecture

Note: Advanced reservations are recommended for Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo so you can skip the lines!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Visit the Picasso Museum

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

La Boquería

Take a stroll on La Rambla

Hit the beach

Watch some flamenco

Spend your evening watching flamenco at one of these places:

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 3

Ride the harbor cable car

Explore Montjuïc Hill

Joan Miró Foundation – Joan Miró was one of Catalonia’s most famous artists. Many of the surrealist’s works are on display in this museum. Admission is €12. Address: Parc de Montjuïc.

Take a food tour or cooking class

bcnKITCHEN – (bcnkitchen.com, from €50)

Barcelona Cooking – (barcelonacooking.net, from €65)

Just Royal Bcn – (justroyalbcn.com, from €77).

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 4

Take a day trip to Girona

The Renfe train ride is about 80 minutes on the normal train (return tickets from €20); the high-speed train gets there in 38 minutes (return tickets from €30).

Other things to see and do in Barcelona

If you have more than four days in Barcelona, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other activities to fill your time:

Where to Eat in Barcelona

For some excellent food, be sure to check out some of my favorite places:

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Here’s a list of my favorite places to stay in the city:

***

The city moves slowly. And so should you.

Sleep late, take breaks, eat lots, and just enjoy Barcelona at a Spaniard’s pace!

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for more information on visiting Barcelona? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Barcelona with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 8, 11,

The post Barcelona Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time in This Incredible City in 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site http://bit.ly/2Fc2wjV via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

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uclavapae · 8 years ago

Photo

Amorette Muzingo | Teaching Artist of January, 2017

Q: How did you discover your interest in the arts and how did you know that it was something that you wanted to pursue professionally, as an artist or as an artist teacher?

A: Growing up in an intimidatingly artistic family, it wasn’t ever a question to not pursue the arts; if that makes sense. The success of my father, my aunts, my uncles, and everyone else motivated me to stand alongside them in my artistic endeavors. The path I had chosen was quite bumpy - I went from fervently pursuing the arts/music from age 9 to abandoning the idea of art school altogether in my senior year of high school. I then enrolled in community college, where I began studying art history, almost dropped out, and then was accepted here at UCLA to study Art History. I came across VAPAE towards the end of my first year at UCLA and the classes that I took revitalized the passion I had at such a young age. I feel like VAPAE is a space where I can utilize my skills and background knowledge of the arts and child care while embracing that I’m a 12 year old trapped in a 23 year old’s body.

Q: Describe what the young artists in your VAPAE afterschool arts program are working on and the process they’re using.

A: Since we work with such a unique population, we really wanted to have curriculums that best suit the needs and interests of the girls at Aviva. With so many complex and diverse situations in the room, we developed a curriculum called The Art of Mindfulness, Tea, and Sanctuary. Every class began with a tea ceremony, in which we would sit at a table in a circle, pour tea for one another, and give appreciative comments to those around us. This established the most fantastic sense of community - the girls were unafraid to try a myriad of projects - such as installation, book making, origami, ceramics, activist art, garlands, pillow making, and more. The girls essentially created their own space in which everything was hand-made by them - really instilling the sense of community and sanctuary. This upcoming quarter is really exciting. We’re going to be transitioning into a marriage of visual and digital arts - Aviva has this fantastic Digital Media Lab. The main process will be Digital Storytelling and Narratives - so stay tuned for animated masks, reflective journaling, music making, poetry, and more!

Q: Why is an enrichment opportunity like this important for those participating? What do they gain?

A: I have heard, first-hand, the gains of positivity and awareness that VAPAE programs have provided to our students. One of our girls had been frustrated with one of her other peers, and instead of reacting in a negative fashion, she said, “I really think that that girl would benefit from the art classes we have, it would be really good for her”. Our student was able to recognize the impact that we made in our classroom in just 10 weeks and had developed a more mindful and caring approach to a tough situation. Participants in VAPAE programs are a special kind of community - it’s the chance to really connect on a deeper level of creativity and growth, and is immensely inclusive. The daily rhythms of school can be overwhelming, but with VAPAE after school programs, it provides this space in which the students are able to be present in themselves and with others and are able to really create something incredible.

Q: Did you have an opportunity like this when you were a younger artist? If yes, how did it help shape your love of art? If no, in what ways could a program like this have helped you?

A: I did have an opportunity somewhat similar to VAPAE - it was an after school/weekend music program in Hollywood called School of Rock (fun fact, the movie was loosely based on the program). There, I was able to take drum lessons that were organized under a common artist or theme: David Bowie, Women Who Rock, etc. We would rehearse every week after school and at the end of the 10 weeks, we performed at venues such as The Roxy and The Troubadour. Although it helped me develop lifelong friendships and further my passion for music, the cost of the program was quite a difficult setback, and it was difficult to commute to Hollywood. I really, really favor the openness that VAPAE provides, regardless of economic status, race, gender, or geography.

Q: What has this experience as a teaching artist or arts facilitator taught you about yourself?

A: Wayne Kramer, famed musician and guest lecturer, once told our class, “I am always a humbled student”. I really try to embody that within every moment of my teaching - because I am still always learning. I have continued developing patience and flexibility - certain teaching strategies will sort of pop up in the moment and I’ve learned to embrace it. I’ve become more of a person who is content with being in the present, instead of constantly planning for the future (but finding a balance, of course!). Being a teaching artist has given me deeper connections to my students than I ever thought possible - and in return, my students teach me more than words could describe.

Q: What do you personally gain as a teaching artist, arts facilitator?

A: I still can’t believe that this is the work that I do - I never thought my work could be this fun. I have gained a HUGE sense of gratitude towards the amazing people I get to work alongside and to the students that I get to know. I also end up surprising myself with new skills that I learn, whether it be artistic or educational or anywhere in between. I truly never thought that I would be a teacher, but I gain a bit of confidence each day that I’m in the classroom because that is where I feel most comfortable.

Q: What are the benefits to you as a student/graduate in the UCLA VAPAE program? Was this program a good choice for you? If so, why?

A: Yes! Very, very good choice! Truthfully, a part of me resented the large size of UCLA and how there are so many people. VAPAE is where I found a second home, where I spent my Thursday nights. The educators in VAPAE are accessible and authentic, and the lessons I have learned in the classes I’ve taken have really shaped me to the person I’m growing into. I have had absolutely incredible opportunities in my time here, and it would not have been possible if it were not for my participation in VAPAE.

Q: Are there any anecdotes from your VAPAE Studio Sessions (or Arts Education Teaching Sequence) that stand out to you? Perhaps you had a break‐through with a student or saw some particularly noticeable growth in that student through this program, collaboration etc. Maybe something surprised you or made you think about art or teaching in a new way.

A: I believe that I used this as a sample video for my Arts Ed teaching sequence portfolio - but there was this moment where I had said a joke to the class while teaching, subsequently all began giggling, and the moment I brought them back to the lesson this massive silence fell upon the room. In that moment, I recognized that I alone had built not only a rapport with 35 6th graders, but had also gained their respect and intrigue. They were so inquisitive about the lesson that day, it was so amazing and satisfying that I felt I was on the right track.

Q: What are your short-term and long‐term career goals?

A: I think I have a hard time with this question because there is just so much that I would like to do, that I haven't figured out yet how to actually articulate it. However, I will try! I know that now I have graduated I would really like to return to my artistic and musical practices, as well as develop better foreign language skills. I studied Spanish for quite a while and feel it would be tremendously useful. I suppose those are my short term goals. As far as long term, I really see myself continuing in arts education - either involved with art therapy, or museum education, or working with incarcerated/marginalized youth. At this point, I'm excited and ready to try anything within the field.

#uclavapae #teachingartist

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unpublishedcollection-blog · 6 years ago

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Artist Spotlight: Roberta Klug, Ceramicist

1. Introduce yourself- where you’re from, what you do, and your favorite food to eat

Hi! My name is Roberta Klug and I am an L.A. based artist. I was born and raised in Italy, and moved here for the last leg of high school. I attended Cal State Long Beach where I studied Studio Art. I spend most of my time creating with clay and am currently working at a non-profit that provides art programs to LAUSD and charter schools. As a proud Italian, I’d have to say my most favorite food to eat is my mama’s pasta. I love her “pomodori saltati”, a pasta dressed with sautéed cherry tomatoes and garlic. So simple, but so delicious. It’s happiness in a bowl!

2. When did your interest in ceramics begin?

I was in my last year of college and felt this pull to use my hands. I was really drawn to the idea of playing with clay so I decided to enroll in a wheel throwing class. I remember it being frustrating, but felt ferociously determined to practice as much as I could. It was love at first throw (pun intended). It was incredibly therapeutic and quite literally centering. I was infatuated with the idea that touch, or hands, could birth anything I felt or imagined. The wheel was like home and I found myself in the studio all the time. That’s when I realized it was my passion. It was all I wanted to do, and it’s been a love story ever since.

3. How has growing up in Italy influenced your artistic vision?

As a romantic and extremely nostalgic person, I believe growing up in italy is a fundamental part of me and is equally embedded in my work. I look back to my childhood often, and consider it a privilege to have lived in a small town of no more than 10,000 people at the foot of the Swiss Alps. My childhood was spent outdoors, which led to an unspoken respect and admiration towards Nature. I understood that happy cows gave hearty milk, and nurtured soil gave the sweetest fruits. The earth that was cared for, would care for us in return. It was wonderful.

My siblings and I were encouraged to take the time to learn how things were made and made well. I inherited this innate sense of history, tradition, and profound appreciation and respect for craft. These sacred lessons of my childhood are reflected in my pieces and I carry them with me wherever I go.

4. Is there a process you have for creating each piece since each one is a unique one-of-a kind item?

It’s quite an organic process. I constantly think about what I’d like to make. I sketch every day, and keep a visual diary of things that i find interesting or make me feel good. I rent stacks of books on all sorts of subjects from the library, and take stills of films that I find visually potent. I believe my work to be a product of my observations and appetite to see and experience everything. My inspiration emerges from the continuous pool of research and information I’ve accumulated. I have an insatiable desire to learn and experiment. When I end up at the studio, even if I have a plan for the day, I tend to just grab clay and go at it. I allow myself the freedom to play and create diverse work, both conceptually and in form.

5. Who/what inspires you to create these pieces?

I feel deeply about the health of our environment and what it means to be a woman. Some of my work raises questions about the status quo and act as an invitation to be proactive in our everyday lives. However, my family is the champion out of the many topics that inspire me. Spend a day with them and you would feel like you’ve just experienced the end of every feel good movie. Walking away feeling invincible and with a renewed sense of happiness. I hang on to this feeling of overbrimming love and acceptance, and funnel this energy and intention into what I’m making. In hopes of creating vessels that spark the same wonder, magic and playfulness that we see in children.

6. What is your favorite part of your job?

Most aspects of it are my favorite, but it’s very special to catch people’s reaction to my work and see them feel what I hoped they would.

7. Is there a specific type of denim you prefer to wear for working with ceramics? An artist uniform perhaps?

I need to be able to move freely in the studio and always manage to get dirty, so I tend to wear a pair of loose fitting and durable pair of jeans.

8. What is your favorite thing to create and why?

I love to make works that look like precious relics but are created with the intent of being functional, everyday objects. Blurring the line of what is meant to be looked at, and what is meant to be subjected to slow and constant wear.

#artistspotlight #unpublished denim #ceramacist #ceramics

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topbeautifulwomens · 6 years ago

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#Italian #Ceramics #Short #Articles: #Deruta #Handmade #Tableware #challenge #eyelashes #farmasi #fun #makeupblogger #makeupoftheday #music #paris #supermodel #viralvideos

Deruta just isn’t a place complete of tourist buses. One particular may well request what the reason may be to arrive to this small tpersonal some twenty km south of Perugia, really apart from highways or major touristic sights. A very straightforward one: possibly the greatest ceramic performs of art in Italy and elsein which.

Deruta handmade deskware is beautiful and elaborate in design and exeminimizeion, while may be quite costly. The benefit variety by itself is a barrier from currently being a common touristic memento, that is why you’d faster uncover Deruta plates in a specialised keep rather than an American purchasing mall or a occupied central highway in Rome.

Nearby majolica is well-known and common, and is soutdated all close to the entire world from US to Russia. It really is quite unusual we nonetheless have to find it everywhere apart from Deruta itself (we indicate in man or woman, not moving into account world wide web resources). Perhaps the solution is simple – the world is a massive place and Deruta is just a small city. And probably it serves slender clients of people who are inclined to shell out quite a quantity to established the table, someoccasions ready a handful of weeks for their buy. Indeed, charges in Umbrian workshops aren’t the very same as in Santa Barbara, California. But if it’s not relating to acquiring a 24 person set or an antique themed espresso table – everybody can manage to deliver property a work of art of a plate for forty-one hundred fifty Euros (50-two hundred US Pounds) if he fell in love with it at 1st sight.

So, if you come about to be in Umbria, we’d really suggest you to bounce in to Deruta both to visit one of the most lovely small town facilities in Italy and to widen your horizons on what the handmade Italian majolica must seem like. Protection caution: if you are not really into ceramics and your spouse is travelling with you, then you far better forget about possibly your card or your wife at the lodge. If you never – do not fear – you may not skip a penny after unpacking this cosmetic at home.

Try out to variety “Deruta majolica” in your search motor of alternative and go for images.

Below we’ll try out to cut this ode limited and give you a little bit of background alternatively.

Deruta identify in its earlier forms (“diruta” signifies “ruins” in Latin) hints the place was created on prime of an earlier Roman agreement, which was probably elevated in the course of the Gothic war of the sixth century. In Medieval times (eleventh – sixteenth hundreds of years) Deruta was beneath Perugia’s dominion, nevertheless currently experienced its own constitution (structure) and executive. In the instant 50 %} of the 14th century it was devastated by plague. The losses had been so critical that the town partitions have collapsed thanks to deficiency of servicing, and when the clean walls were built later on on they were encircling a much more compact part. In 16th century Deruta linked Papal Claims and liked a lengthy season of relaxation, which introduced about a quick progress in majolica art, creation and exchange.

Local clays from Tiber were best, so the ceramics production has commenceed in this area already in the Early Heart Ages. Its creative height was during Renaissance in fifteenth – 16th centuries – Deruta flourished and grew to become one of the principal majolica centers in Italy. Its artists imitated famous historical and biblical paintings and frescos of the time, complimenting these historical themes with elaborate motifs – a lot of famous Deruta styles were born at that period. One of these is the conventional Raffaellesco decoration – this design, attribute of Deruta artistic tradition, can be traced back to the fantastic artist Raphael, who painted the stylized dragon which was image of very good will and luck.

Other motifs like Ricco Deruta, Rinascimento and Arabesco way too originated at that time.

Several hundreds of years of artistic tradition didn’t move in vain. There are many far more original designs and approaches drawn immediately from this Renaissance heritage and delicate through the centuries. Nonetheless, this sort of a long period of status and desire for the nearby tableware and ceramics had its outcomes – the local clay deposits are tired and Deruta artisans buy their clay from Tuscany nowaworking times.

There are maybe in excess of 200 factories, artisan workshops and galleries in Deruta, and many of them are positioned together the long uninteresting By way of Tiberina, crossing the town parallel to the motorway. Which is why it is easy to miss the old town if you came to visit some particular workshops. Will not spend all of your time on ceramics and comply with the signs to the center on the top of the hill. You happen to be certain to have 3 incredible several hours just strolling around, sipping espresso at piazzas, or going to the Museum of Ceramics. And sure there are more small workshops and showrooms.

In 2001 the Tourism Council of Countrywide Affiliation of Italian Municipalities has produced a club “I Borghi piÃ¹ Belli dÂ´Italia” – The Most Lovely Villages in Italy. This undertaking was created to advertise the great heritage identified in small Italian cities which are, for the most part, cut off from the flow of friends and travelers. Deruta is also integrated into their Information. We consider it is priceless to find such a place, where you can enjoy the real Italy powering its touristic market place.

As per the tableware itself, we would advise to visit both the greater showrooms and little workshops. At the previous you will find substantial choice but marginally increased prices, and the latter might deal you anything distinct, if you are fortunate.

It is unattainable to read them all, and we would as opposed to to focus your consideration on something precise. It is much more fun to go discover.

However, we would still like to advise a few that we’ve frequented individually:

At the southern end of the town, proper at the exit from the motorway and at the very start of Via Tiberina, there is certainly a big Fabbrica Ceramiche Torretti Deruta with huge showrooms and even bigger choice on offer.

More up Via Tiberina (No. three hundred) jump in the G&P Ceramiche Artistiche showroom and manufacturing facility. Graziano Pimpinelli, a grasp ceramist for more than forty years, personally oversees all factors of production from the creation of the forms to the previous decoration of every single piece, all completed entirely by hand. All creations are produced entirely inside of the maker.

At the north end of Via Tiberina (No. 111) you can find FIMA Deruta workshop. It is an common sized personal company, established by Pietro Picchiotti in 1960. The production cycle is absolutely carried-out within the company, from the shaping of clay to the kiln firing. The top quality and execution are impeccable.

Going to these will be a good start for a good day in Deruta.

To resume all of the previously mentioned:

What do you do with your plates? You eat from them. Italian handmade tableware is as various and beautiful as Italian meal itself. Some of the rustic plates will produce you strategy some pasta “al dente” and enjoy it with your loved ones as if you are still in the sunny hills of Toscana. Some will remind you of that small tavern in Campania with its simple fish, average evening sea breeze, and a complicated hangover. But with a few plates from Deruta you will require to go for that intimate palazzo-themed supper. Merely toss in a bottle of wine and some bouquets and blend carefully.

The post Italian Ceramics Short Articles: Deruta Handmade Tableware appeared first on Beautiful Women.

source http://topbeautifulwomen.com/italian-ceramics-short-articles-deruta-handmade-tableware/

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type2diabetestreatments-blog · 8 years ago

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A Diabetic Artist's Lipstick Creations

New Post has been published on https://type2diabetestreatment.net/diabetes-mellitus/a-diabetic-artists-lipstick-creations/

A Diabetic Artist's Lipstick Creations

Putting on lipstick means more to one woman from Texas than just getting all prettied up for a night out on the town.

Nope, for fellow PWD (person with diabetes) Natalie Irish, those shades of lip color mean she's creating art.

Yes, she paints with her lips. On canvas. And produces remarkably amazing portraits of people like Marlyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, and the Dutchess Kate Middleton. That's just what she does, and is known as "the kissing artist" who uses lipstick as a means of artistic expression.

Natalie also happens to be an insulin-pumping type 1 who proudly refers to herself as "a cyborg."

Living with type 1 for just over a decade, the 29-year old from the Houston area hit celebrity status in mid-2011, when a long-overlooked YouTube video of her "lipstick art" that had been posted by her husband finally got some attention. An off-beat website called Oddity Central stumbled across that video and linked to the channel, catapulting her art into the public eye.

Since then, Natalie's name and artwork have appeared in national media and blogs, including high-profile spots like Good Morning America and the Huffington Post. Most recently, on Dec. 19, Natalie made an appearance on Conan O'Brien's Late Night show.

Natalie on Conan - Part One

Natalie on Conan - Part Two

This isn't the world she imagined for herself, although it's a dream come true for Natalie being able to be a full-time artist. After studying metal-smithing, ceramics and art at the University of North Texas and Alvin Community College, she took a "corporate job" working the front desk at a local veterinary clinic in Texas and was only doing art in her free time.

But she started having unexplained high and low blood sugars and got sick, often needing to leave and even passing out at work. That created problems with co-workers and she was scared for her own health, but no one believed she was really ill because she didn't "look sick." One day, Natalie received a letter in the mail from her pump-maker Medtronic alerting her to an infusion set recall and faulty infusion set and tubing -- proof that something was indeed wrong. But even that didn't convince her employer, so she eventually she left that job.

That brought Natalie into the fold as a full-time artist, devoted to her own creative expression.

Through the years, Natalie has made much more than lipstick art. She uses her hands quite often, and in the past she's used D-Supplies in her art, like pump supplies for conceptual jewelry beads, and broken syringes in her metalwork creations. On her right wrist, she sports a serpent-cross tattoo on that reads "Diabetic" with the date of her diagnosis: Oct. 30, 2000. It's much more stylish than a medical bracelet and is "fitting for an artist," she says.

Her website features all kinds of different thumbprints and lipstick pieces that can be ordered online, and Natalie tells us she's interested in getting involved in Diabetes Art Day (coming up on Feb. 4, 2013), possibly putting some lipstick art together for that! Though she's busy, Natalie took some time to talk with the 'Mine recently about her life with diabetes and her art career.

DM) Can you share your diabetes diagnosis story?

NI) I was diagnosed a few weeks after my 18th birthday, in my senior year of high school. It was also the day before Halloween... and all the candy that goes along with it. Good thing I didn't wait another day longer to go to the doctor. Six months later I was on a pump. Now I wear an Animas pump. It's pink, and waterproof, and awesome. I joke a lot about being a cyborg, especially with little kid pumpers. I tell them we're part robot -- how cool is that?!

How did you possibly get started making art with your mouth?

I've been making art since I could hold a crayon. I like to try every medium I can get my hands on. Drawing, painting, sewing, metal-smithing, ceramics... anything and everything. I've always sought out new ways to create and enjoy using everyday things in ways that they aren't intended. I have made several pieces with thumbprints before. Chuck Close has done some portraits in that manner, as well as other artists. It's all in the spirit of pointillism. Back in 2001, I was putting on some red lipstick to go out and see a show, and I blotted the lipstick on a bit of tissue. I saw the kiss print it left and decided I could paint with my lips in a similar way as with thumbprints.

Do you take your artistic talents to any diabetes organizations?

I have been involved in JDRF and ADA walks and events for years and I try to donate art to local gala and event auctions. I really enjoy working with the JDRF advocacy team. A couple of us met with (politician) Ron Paul a few years ago and I had a chance to speak with him. He had never even seen an insulin pump and was very interested in the technology. He said that it was ridiculous that we can put men on the moon, but do not yet have an artificial pancreas. A few weeks later he voted in support for more diabetes research funding.

OK, how cool was it meeting and talking with Conan on live TV?

I had a blast! He was a pleasure to work with and he really enjoyed the artwork. The crew working on the show are an amazing group of people and I had so much fun meeting all of them! Plus, it was very cool getting Conan to put on some lipstick and smooth his portrait -- nobody else can probably say they've gotten him to do that on TV!

Now that you're taking your art to such a broader audience, will you be focused on raising awareness about diabetes?

My main goal is to help get some awareness and educational information out there, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to speak to people about diabetes and insulin pumps. When most people hear that I have diabetes, they automatically assume type 2. Both type 1 and type 2 are terrible diseases, but they are also very different. Don't ever assume you know what someone else is going through. And don't take my word for it either; do a little research on your own. That part is easy... and mostly painless.

What an incredibly unusual talent, Natalie! We love what you're doing, and hope to get a chance to see some of your artwork up close and personal some time soon!

Disclaimer: Content created by the Diabetes Mine team. For more details click here.

Disclaimer

This content is created for Diabetes Mine, a consumer health blog focused on the diabetes community. The content is not medically reviewed and doesn't adhere to Healthline's editorial guidelines. For more information about Healthline's partnership with Diabetes Mine, please click here.

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tamboradventure · 5 years ago

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25 Things to See and Do in Barcelona

Posted: 04/23/20 | April 23rd, 2020

In recent years, Barcelona has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe. While 5 million people call the city home, over 32 million travelers visit each and every year. (It is actually one of the worst cities in the world for overtourism! Visit in the off-season!)

Despite the crowds, I love visiting Barcelona. Every visit makes me fall in love with it over and over again.

It’s a city steeped in history, dating back to Roman times (be sure to visit the ruins underneath the city), you’ll find medieval structures all over the place, and Gaudi’s architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries dots every district.

The food is incredible. Do an improvised tapas crawl through La Barceloneta and just eat, eat, and eat.

Or take part in the famed nightlife that doesn’t even begin until 2 am.

With delicious food, incredible history and architecture, perfect weather, and a lively nightlife, Barcelona is a city that can entertain anyone.

It is one of the best cities in all of Spain. To help you make the most of your next visit, here are my favorite 25 things to see and do in Barcelona. They will give you a feel for the city, allow you to eat all the best food, and get you away from the overbearing crowds!

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

I love free walking tours. I think they are the best way to get to know a new city and I always try to take one anytime I go somewhere new. You’ll get to see the main sites, meet other travelers, and chat with an expert local guide. My recommended walking tour companies in Barcelona are:

New Europe

Free Walking Tours Barcelona

Free Tours By Foot

2. Get Lost in the Barri Gotic

Barcelona’s old Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) is my favorite part of town. The neighborhood is filled with narrow, winding streets and historic buildings that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

While it is a little touristy, to me, it’s the most beautiful area in the city. Spend a few hours getting lost in this district. You won’t regret it!

3. Visit the Museum of the History of Barcelona

I’ve visited a lot of city museums over the years, but Barcelona has one of the best there is. Opened in 1943, the museum is home to over 4,000 square meters of Roman ruins (located below the museum) that you can walk through. There is also a free (and quite detailed) audio guide as well as meticulous explanations of the exhibits. Even if you’re not a history buff like me, you’ll get a lot out of this museum. It will give you a much better sense of the city and it’s past (and the ruins really are amazing!).

Plaça del Rei, +34 932 56 21 00, ajuntament.barcelona.cat/museuhistoria/ca. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-7pm (8pm on Sundays). Admission is 7 EUR per person.

4. See the Grand Royal Palace

Built in the 14th century, the Palau Reial Major was the home of Barcelona’s counts. Located near the history museum, it later housed the Kings of Aragon (the rulers who presided over the region) from 1035 until the 15th century (though most of the palace remains date to the 14th century). The palace includes a detailed history of the city and region and is said that it’s where Christopher Columbus returned after his “discovery” voyage to North America.

The Palace shares hours and admission costs with The Museum of the History of Barcelona.

5. Admire Barcelona Cathedral

This Gothic cathedral was built in the 13th century. Officially known as The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, it was consecrated in 1339 and has two massive spires that stand over 53 meters (174ft) tall, colorful stained glass, and incredible wood carvings inside the ornate and spacious main chamber.

If you do want to go inside (and you should), be sure to pay to visit the upper terraces as you’ll get an incredible view of the city.

Placita de la Seu 3, +34 933 428 262, catedralbcn.org. Tourist hours are daily from 12:30pm-5:45pm on weekdays (until 7:15pm on the weekends). For those looking to worship, the cathedral is open daily from 8:30am. Admission is 7 EUR for tourists and free for worshipers.

6. Wander Park Güell

Park Güell is a beautiful and sprawling 45-acre garden complex designed by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí. Dating back to the early 1900s, it’s one of the many Gaudi works in the city open to the public. Today, it’s a World Heritage Site and municipal garden that’s free to enter (you can access most of the park for free, though the interior sections do charge admission).

The focal point of the park is the main terrace, which is surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. The park is right near the famous La Sagrada Familia so it’s easy to visit both back-to-back. It’s a beautiful and colorful park but it also gets busy so try to go early or on a weekday when the crowds are thinner.

Carrer d’Olot, parkguell.barcelona/en. Open daily from 8:30am-6pm. Admission for the interior section is 10 EUR per person. Guided tours are available for 31 EUR and children six years old and younger are free. If you buy tickets, make sure you book them in advance as they sell out quickly.

7. See La Sagrada Família

La Sagrada Família is arguably the most famous of Gaudí’s work — even though it’s still not finished (construction began in 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2030). Gaudí was a devout Catholic and the church was his final project, one he spent the last 10 years of his life working on.

Like all of Gaudi’s work, the church (which was consecrated as a minor basilica in 2010) blends various themes and influences and is a mix of both Gothic and Art Nouveau styles.

While you can take in the church from the outside, I’d encourage you to explore the interior with an audio guide. It covers the entire history of the church and will give you an insightful overview of this unique (and massive) project.

If you can, try to visit between mid-morning and late afternoon so you can see the sunlight cascade throughout all the stained glass.

Plaça de la Sagrada Familia, +34 932 080 414, sagradafamilia.org. Admission is 20 EUR for a basic ticket and 26 EUR for a ticket with an audio guide. For an audio guide and access to the towers, tickets are 33 EUR. Book your tickets in advance as they disappear quickly.

8. Explore La Boquería

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (La Boquería for short) is a public market near La Rambla. The market has been at this location for hundreds of years and is home to a delectable array of food stalls and restaurants.

Since it’s right off La Rambla it gets incredibly busy so try to get there early. There’s a wide variety of seafood, including fish, shrimp, octopus, and oysters, as well as nuts, candy, wine, and tapas. It’s a cheap place to grab a snack as you explore the city.

9. Visit Casa Batlló and Casa Milà

Casa Batlló is one of Gaudi’s more eye-catching creations. Located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, he spent two years on this colorful project. Like much of his work, the design is heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau style. The facade was decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that he collected from the trash of a nearby glass shop, which makes the building almost glow in the sunlight. The roof is arched and tiled and has been likened to the back of a dragon. It’s one of my favorite Gaudí buildings.

Just a couple hundred meters away from Casa Batlló is Casa Milà. Known as La Pedrera (“the Stone Quarry”), this building has a facade of limestone (hence the nickname). Built from 1906-1910, Gaudi’s goal was to evoke the sense of a snowy mountain. He also planned for Casa Milà to be a spiritual symbol (he was a devout Catholic after all) and included lots of religious elements in the design, such as an excerpt from the rosary prayer along the cornice. He also included statues of Mary, St. Michael, and St. Gabriel.

Casa Batlló: Passeig de Gràcia 43, +34 93 216 0306, casabatllo.es. Open daily from 9am-9pm. Admission is 25 EUR online and 29 EUR at the door.

Casa Milà: Passeig de Gràcia 92, +34 93 214 2576, lapedrera.com. Open daily from 9am-8:30pm. Admission is 24 EUR in advance and 27 EUR at the door (tickets include a free audio guide).

For more Gaudi works, check out this post on exploring Gaudi’s Barcelona and get a walking tour route for all his buildings.

10. Visit the Picasso Museum

This is the most comprehensive collection of Pablo Picasso’s works in the world. Opened in 1963, the museum is home to over 4,000 works by Picasso. While I’m personally not a huge fan of Picasso’s later work, it’s still interesting to learn about his life and work as he was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. While his style is unique and not for everyone, the museum is nevertheless worth a visit. It’s amazing to see how his art changed and evolved over the course of his life.

Carrer Montcada 15-23, bcn.cat/museupicasso/en. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9am-7pm. Admission is 12 EUR per person, with free entry on Thursdays from 6pm-9:30pm and on the first Sunday of the month.

11. Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

Plaça dels Àngels 1, +34 934 12 08 10, Open Wednesday-Friday from 10am-7:30pm, Saturdays from 10am-8pm, and Sundays from 10am-3pm (closed Monday). Admission is 11 EUR (free entry on Saturdays from 4-8pm.

12. Take a Day Trip to Monserrat

To escape the city for a day, head to Monserrat. It’s an hour away by train and the city is next to a mountain range. It makes for a fun escape from Barcelona’s busy urban atmosphere. There are lots of hiking trails here, but if you don’t want to hike you can also take a cable car up to the peak to take in the view.

Be sure to visit the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery to see the famous shrine of the Black Madonna. The monastery is built into the mountain and the Black Madonna statue is said to have been carved in Jerusalem during the early years of Christianity, though it most likely dates to the 12th century.

If you’re an art fan, visit the Art Museum Of Montserrat. It has works by Monet, Dali, Picasso, and many other famous artists. And be sure to visit the local market (it’s on the way to the monastery). It’s the perfect place to buy local products like fresh produce, cheese, honey, and artisan crafts. And if you’re an adrenaline junkie, there is tons of rock climbing to be done here as well (either solo or with a hired guide).

Train tickets for the hour-long journey cost around 20 EUR (round trip).

13. Take a Stroll on La Rambla

This is the most popular (and most crowded) street in the city. It’s lined with trees and beautiful buildings and you’ll usually be able to find lots of locals busking here too. The street grew to prominence during the Middle Ages, and while it’s still the main tourist hub in the city I’d avoid shopping or eating here (everything will be overpriced). That said, it’s nevertheless worth a stroll. The street is just over 1km long so it won’t take long to take in the sights.

14. Hit the Beach

If you’re looking to relax and enjoy Barcelona’s beautiful weather, head to the beach. The city has a popular beach that’s open year-round called Barceloneta. It’s long, wide, and the water is great for swimming. There are also a lot of good restaurants on the boardwalk. The beach is always busy with both tourists and locals so walk further from the center to reach some quieter and cleaner sections. Two areas I’d recommend are Sant Sebastià (in the south) and Somorrostro (in the north).

15. Watch Some Flamenco

Flamenco is a traditional style of music and dance that originated in Spain. It’s a lively, expressive style known for its intricate footwork and hand movements. If you’re looking to take in a show, Barcelona has a few affordable venues where you can watch a performance:

Los Tarantos – This is the oldest flamenco venue in the city. Performances are just 30 minutes so it’s a good place for an introduction.

Palau Dalmases – One of the best things about the flamenco shows here is the venue. This palace has amazing décor and incredible architecture.

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes – This show is in a convenient location on Barcelona’s main walkway, but it’s expensive.

Tablao de Carmen – This show takes places in a replica of a Spanish village.

16. Ride the Port Cable Car

The 1,450-meter-long harbor aerial tramway with red cars connects Barceloneta and Montjuïc (a prominent hill). The 10-minute ride offers picturesque views of the entire city. You’ll see the port and sea on one side and the city on the other. Also, at the top of the 78-meter Sant Sebastià (San Sebastián) tower in Barceloneta, there’s a restaurant accessible by an elevator. If you want to hike instead, there are a few different trails to the summit, most taking around 3 hours.

Open daily from 10am-6pm (9pm in the summer). Round-trip tickets cost 13.50 EUR per person.

17. Explore Montjuïc Hill

If you take the cable car, bus, or hike to the top of the hill you’ll find there’s a lot to keep you busy beyond the view. First, you can explore the Castell de Montjuïc. It’s a large 18th-century fortress with roots that date back to the 17th century. It has some picturesque gardens and offers amazing views overlooking the city. It’s home to a museum with lots of military displays. Admission is 5 EUR though it’s free on Sundays after 3pm as well as the first Sunday of the month.

You’ll also find the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya here, a Catalonian art museum. It features mostly Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque works. The fountain out front has a spectacular free show as well.

Additionally, don’t miss the Olympic Ring (the main area of the 1992 Olympic Games) and the Poble Espanyol, a replica village built in 1929 to resemble an actual traditional Spanish village. It has over 100 buildings, including an Andalusian quarter, a section of the Camino, a monastery, and more!

Admission is 12 EUR per person, with free entry on Saturdays after 3pm and on the first Sunday of the month..

18. Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class

Like the rest of Spain, Barcelona is a very foodie-centric city. While you’re here, I highly recommend taking either a cooking class or a food tour (or both!). You’ll learn about traditional Catalan cooking, get to see and sample fresh ingredients, and get to walk through local markets. Some companies to check out are:

Take Walks

bcnKITCHEN

Barcelona Cooking

Devour

19. Visit an Old-School Amusement Park

Built in 1899 and opened in 1901, Tibidabo Barcelona is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Located on a mountain in the Serra de Collserola, it offers an incredible view of Barcelona and the coastline in addition to its rides, games, and restaurants. It’s a fun activity to do with kids.

Plaça del Tibidabo, +34 932 11 79 42, tibidabo.cat. Hours vary depending on the season. Check the website for details. Admission si 28.50 EUR.

20. Take a Day Trip to Girona

Girona is a medieval city just 100km from Barcelona. It’s also one of my favorite destinations in the entire country. Here you can climb atop the city walls, wander the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter, and soak up the ambiance at one of its many cafés.

Don’t miss the Cathedral of Girona and the Monastery of Saint Daniel and be sure to stroll across the Eiffel bridge (a small bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel, the man who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris).

There’s a lot of history and delicious food in the city (be sure to stop at Rocambolesc for gelato). They also filmed Game of Thrones here too! The train ride is around 80 minutes (half that if you take the high-speed train). Tickets range from 10-40 EUR.

Check out this post for a longer list of things to see and do in Girona.

21. Watch a Soccer Match

The first “football” game I ever watched live was in Barcelona (I still have the shirt I bought that day). Barcelona’s two biggest teams are Espanyol and FC Barcelona and, if a match is going on, try to take in one — it’s an amazing and boisterous spectacle (FC Barcelona’s stadium holds around 100,000 people)! Like most Europeans, Spaniards are obsessed with the sport and tickets are usually quite affordable (they typically cost around 30 EUR). If you want to get a glimpse into local life (and make some friends in the process) be sure to catch a game!

22. Gaze at Barcelona’s Free Public Art

While Spain is an affordable destination, it never hurts to find free activities! There are a lot to be found around the city, including a huge fountain in the Parc de la Ciutadella. It was designed by Gaudi and built as a tribute to Neptune (the Roman god). Other off-beat (and free) Gaudí works include his lampposts in Plaça Reial and Pla de Palau, and the Miralles gate, and the wall on Passeig de Manuel Girona.

Barcelona native Joan Miró’s work is also found throughout the city. You can see his famous “Woman and Bird” sculpture at Parc de Joan Miró. There are also Miró mosaics on La Rambla and at the city’s airport.

23. Take a Bike Tour

Fat Tire Tours offers guided tours around the city — for as little as 30 EUR per person too! Tours last 4-4.5 hours and are a great way to take in the city if you don’t feel like a regular walking tour. They offer half a dozen different tours to choose from as well and their groups are small so it’s easy to meet people too!

24. Visit Parc del Laberint d’Horta

Park of the Labyrinth of Horta was created in 1791 and is composed of various Neoclassical and Romantic gardens as well as a huge hedge maze (which gives the park its name). The maze stretches over 750 meters while the rest of the park covers over 135 acres. The maze was created to re-enact the original Greek myth of the minotaur on Crete and is actually much trickier to complete than you think!

Passeig dels Castanyers 1. Open daily from 10am until dusk (between 6pm-8pm depending on the season). Admission is 2.25 EUR.

25. Get off the Beaten Path

While there are tons of popular (and crowded) sights in Barcelona, there are also lots of quirky and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do in the city. If you’re looking to explore some of the less-busy and weirder attractions of the city, here are a few worth adding to your itinerary:

The Erotic Museum – This small museum highlights how sex has been viewed throughout the ages, with works from Medieval Europe and Imperial Japan all the way to the present. There are paintings, drawings, artifacts, sculptures, and more. It’s one of the most unique museums in the city! Admission is 10 EUR.

Bunkers of Carmel – These bunkers were built in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War. The bunkers were left to the elements but they now offer incredible views over the city. Try to visit for the sunrise.

Chocolate Museum – Chocolate arrived in Spain 500 years ago, a product of trade and conquests in South America. This museum illuminates the history of chocolate and showcases all sorts of tools, sculptures (made out of chocolate), and artwork. Admission is 4.30 EUR.

Columns of the Temple of Augustus – Tucked away in the Gothic Quarter are a set of pillars over 2,000 years old. Taken from the remains of an ancient Roman temple, these 30-foot columns have stood here since the 16th century. Admission is free.

***

Barcelona is consistently ranked as one of Europe’s best (and most-visited) cities. It’s truly an electric city. It’s one of my favorites and this list of things to do will keep you busy for your entire trip. There’s really so much to do in Barcelona. you’ll never be bored!

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed, 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while backpacking around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Accommodation To find the best budget accommodation, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory. My favorite palces to stay in Barcelona are:

Kabul – This is one of my favorite hostels in Europe. It attracts travelers who are looking for a good time. This isn’t a quiet hostel so be prepared to party. The dorms are very clean, the beds are comfy, and the showers have high pressure.

Hello BCN – This hostel is clean, the beds are comfortable, there’s a super breakfast, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Make sure to ask them for tips about hidden places in town. This is not a party hostel, and you should be able to get some good shut-eye.

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Need a Guide? Barcelona has some really great guided Gaudi tours. My favorite company to go with is Take Walks. Their “Complete Gaudí Tour” will give you the best in-depth and behind-the-scenes Gaudi tour out there.

Looking For More Information on Visiting Barcelona? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Barcelona with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo Credit: 3 – JosepBC

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