El dia pasado de clase

Getting ready for the final jury at this point. We have all been fairly busy with last minute sight seeing and studio work in preparation for the final jury that the days are just rolling by. Last week, we took a trip to Colonial Guell to see another Gaudi church and the Catalonian town itself. This weekend was packed with work, and occasional trips to the beach on the beautiful days at the beginning of the weekend. Here are some collage previews from my studio project that is currently in the works. I will formally conclude my Barcelona section of the blog at the end of the week with last minute sight seeing trips/pre-departure endeavors.

Universitat?

I finally made it into Plaza Universitat for an hour of skateboarding after my History final exam yesterday morning. It has been 4 months since my arrival in Barcelona, and ironically enough, the first place other than the airport that my feet touched in the city, was Plaza Universitat. It was beautiful yesterday and I finished my exam around noon. With two hours to kill before studio, I grabbed my stuff and spent an hour there amongst the passers by and few other local kids. Here are a few photos of the architectural elements I found the most enjoyable during the hour.

Next stop, Rambla de Raval to come.

Ink in Spring

Over the last few weeks, I have been studying scale and procession in my sketches in ink. The transition to ink from pencil has produced a more accurate display of scale and efficiency in the time per each sketch. The selected sketches below are a series from Morocco that take on a rhythm and objective to each, rather than the static and tunnel vision pencil drawings that were produced in Andalusia. Another art post I know, enjoy at your own risk.

Independent Study

I have been working on a series of paintings starting in mid-February -April. I found a little paint shop on Carrer Ferran and decided to buy a few tubes since I did not bring all of mine with me. Here are a few studies I have been interested in throughout the semester that I have done on those nights that I just cant get to bed.

a. Gran Via 5am

b. Barceloneta

b

Ice

With the end of the semester nearing, a few of our classes are starting to end. The required Spanish classes ended last week, and Easter brought about a 6 day break from the school work before the final stretch. During this break, I was able to get out and roam around, including a trip down to the beach for some skateboarding and a short lived stay at the infamous ice bar on the beach. The pictures speak for themselves.

Exhibition

About a month ago, some of my friends and I entered a competition for an exhibition of work for the 20 of us studying here in Barcelona. We were selected to plan, and build the exhibition/gallery and the showing took place last night. The turn out was less than expected but fun nonetheless with the visit from Dave Shove-Brown and the excessive amount of wine that we purchased. 

All of the students were represented via photographs, drawings, models, and all students were present to discuss with the guest the projects and/or studio itself. 

Morocco

Its been a little over a week since our return from Morocco. In the midst of the most disorienting experience on this trip, I never stopped asking myself if I would have attempted to navigate the Fes Medina as a tourist. I am extremely excited and more culturally aware and honestly would not have been so adventurous as to travel to Morocco on my own a few years down the road.

No skateboarding in the intimidating Medina, but rather lessons on bargaining and Moroccan cuisine. We started off with a 5 course dinner in our hotel, also referred to as a palace. Woke up the next morning and met a guide who stuck with us for the remainder of the trip. While in the Medina over the span of 3 days, we visited and sketched mosques, schools, urban spaces, and analyzed the variety of Muslim style houses and hotels. 

We also took a day trip to Volubilis to see Roman ruins and small mountain towns, and then to Meknes, where we were permitted to enter the King's mosque and analyze worship procedures. The trip ended with a walk around the perimeter of the palace in Fes, and shopping in Moroccan metal and ceramic shops. 

All in all, a gigantic culture shock that has taken a week to shake from my system. In the most positive way.