modul-dance
BARCELONA an artist’s-eye view
modul-dance Modul-dance is a multi-annual cooperation project with the participation of 20 European dancehouses from 16 countries. One of the project’s key elements is the promotion of mobility, so that artists receiving its support follow itineraries across Europe to develop their creative work and present it to different audiences. Each of the guides in this collection shows a city from the viewpoint of a local artist, who proposes his or her own particular route to artists in transit, seeking to put them in connection with their host city. While these city routes share some basic features, each one is different and in their differences lies a wealth of gazes, aesthetics, approximations to the local and much more. In a word, they form a mirror of the diversity that modul-dance has always fostered. The Barcelona city guide has been possible thanks to the curatorial work of Graner, Fàbrica de Creació/Mercat de les Flors, a partner in the modul-dance project.
Mercat de les Flors Barcelona © Román Yñan
41° 22′ 57″ N, 2° 10′ 37″ E
Aimar Pérez Galí presents Barcelona to Cláudia Dias Cristina Núñez presents Barcelona to Marie-Caroline Hominal Iris Heitzinger presents Barcelona to Jurij Konjar Maria Campos & Guy Nader present Barcelona to Luca Silvestrini Masu Fajardo presents Barcelona to La Zampa
Graner, Fàbrica de Creació Barcelona © Eugeni Pons
Pablo Gisbert presents Barcelona to Alessandro Sciarroni Sonia Gómez presents Barcelona to Eugénie Rebetez Guido Sarli presents Barcelona to Patricia Apergi Marcos Morau presents Barcelona to Jefta van Dinther loscorderos present Barcelona to Sofia Dias & Vítor Roriz “Routing” by Aimar Pérez Galí
Aimar Pérez Galí, “The Ping Pong Dialogues” © Pedro Rosenblat
Aimar Pérez Galí presents Barcelona to Cláudia Dias
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Aimar Pérez Galí Aimar Pérez Galí (Barcelona, 1982) works in the field of dance and performing arts as a dancer, performer, pedagogue and maker. After graduating from Amsterdam School of the Arts he worked in The Netherlands for several years and he currently unfolds his professional career in Spain where he has just completed a master’s degree in Museum Studies and Critical Theory from the independent studies programme organised by MACBA (Museum of Contemporari Art of Barcelona). His work centres on research on dance, movement, pedagogy and the development of new process-like approaches to performance. His most recent performance works include DELTA, A PostBelieve Manifesto, the performance lecture Sudando el discurso and The Ping Pong Dialogues. He has and continues to cooperate with producers such as Xavier Le Roy, Nicole Beutler, Nora Heilmann, Andrea Boziç, David Zambrano, Abraham Hurtado/AADK and Silvia Sant Funk, among others. He was a member of the jury of the Miquel Casablancas’ Visual Arts Prize in 2013 and since 2010 he has been the artistic director of Espacio Práctico, a self-instituted space in the centre of Barcelona. He is also a member of the artist collective ANTES. aimarperezgali.com
Cláudia Dias, “Vontade de ter Vontade” © Margarida Ribeiro
Born in Lisbon in 1972, Cláudia Dias began her dance training at the Academia Almadense, followed by a scholarship from the Companhia de Dança de Lisboa (The Lisbon Dance Company). Later on, she attended a contemporary dance performer course at Forum Dança and a cultural organisations and project management course at Cultideias. Cláudia is currently completing an MA in Arts of the Stage at the New University of Lisbon. As a performer, she began in the Almada Dance Group and then moved on to the Ninho de Víboras collective. As a Re.Al. associate artist she became a central participant in João Fiadeiro’s creative work strategy and in the development, systematization and outreach aspects of the Composition in Real Time Technique. Cláudia has created the pieces One Woman Show, Visita Guiada, Das coisas nascem coisas, Vontade de ter Vontade and Not everything we do has to be said, not everything we say has to be done. Her work as a choreographer, performer and teacher has been nurtured by several production structures, theatres and festivals in Portugal and abroad. Cláudia was selected for the modul-dance project in 2010 to develop Vontade de ter Vontade.
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Cláudia Dias
01
02
A small but essential sample of Catalan identities Fundació Miro / Barcino - Casc Antic Romà / Museu d’Història / Laberint d’Horta
Trendy (3 in 1) The showroom for young designers in the rooms of Chic & Basic hotel in El Born quarter Princesa 50
trendy
100% Catalan
Done!
Done!
03
04
Vermouth with two grandmas Bar Calders Parlament 25
vermouth
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Mercadillo Tropical at Espacio Práctico Carrer d’en Tarròs 3 Check out the programme: espaciopractico.wordpress.com
scenic Done!
Done!
05
Out of range Montserrat (mountain)
10
Sant Pol or Sant Adrià nude beaches Vallvidrera (mountain)
out of city Done!
Detail Horchata (tiger nut milk drink) at TĂo Che Rambla del Poblenou 44-46
detail Done!
11
06 07 Something for free The sunset from MontjuĂŻc castle
free Done!
08 A tapa Tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette)
tapa Done!
09 A strange place Temple of Augustus in Barcelona Carrer del ParadĂs 10 within the courtyard of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya
10
A restaurant with no stars Mosquito restaurant Carders 46
strange Done!
restaurant Done!
11
A place where you can find me Having breakfast in the Bar del Convent de Sant Agustí Comerç 36
find me Done!
12 Showcasing Carrer d’Avinyó (American Apparel, Rent Shop, etc.) L’Esquirol, a craftsmen’s area in El Born quarter
shops
12
13
Done!
One place I personally recommend The summer open air film series La Puttanesca, organized by Raval Verd Trader’s association See the programme at goo.gl/MFZLSE
cinema Done!
14 A panoramic view From Montjuïc castle and MNAC
panoramic view Done!
15
A secret In Parc de la Ciutadella next to the table tennis tables, behind some bushes you can see the black panther of Barcelona Zoo. I believe it is the only animal you can see without entering the zoo. You need to go behind the off-leash area for dogs, cross between the trees and reach the railing separating the park and the zoo. If you are lucky enough to see it, the panther will be walking around sadly in its cage
secret Done!
16 17 A souvenir Fuet (cured sausage of pork meat)
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from mornings from 9 a.m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
market Done!
fuet Done!
18
Something missing? A nice beer in Bar Pasajes Sant Pere Més Alt 31-33
beer
13
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/X5V571
Cristina Núñez, “Bang Bang” © Bird Joanhello
Cristina Núñez presents Barcelona to Marie-Caroline Hominal
14
Cristina Núñez At school I was a complete disaster with mathematics and science. My best marks were for language, philosophy, history of art and PE. The theatre gave me a place to practice these subjects; hence, I decided to study a degree in Dramatic Art at ESAD in Valencia and realised that what I was intrigued by was performance, research on movement and the experimental scene. At the same time, I continued my education in dance in Valencia. My interest in movement led me to study in Barcelona, London and Porto and to also follow movement research in New York. On moving to Barcelona I followed the master’s degree in Theory and Practice of Dramaturgy at the Institut del Teatre and trained as a teacher of Hatha Yoga. However, I acknowledge that my most valuable artistic training comes from the playbacks of the festivals organised in my street. As a performer I have worked with Ximo Flores, Sergi Fäustino, Ariadna Estalella, El Conde de Torrefiel, Aimé Pansera, Anna Albaladejo and Xavier Le Roy, among others. My creations include Control, Tú estás aquí and Bang Bang. I have also been a member of the Artas collective which manages the art venue La Poderosa. Currently I combine work as a teacher, yoga instructor, creator and performer. I continue to have a keen interest in language, philosophy and the body from an artistic standpoint. vimeo.com/user4690391/videos
Marie-Caroline Hominal received dance training at Schweizerische Ballettberufsschule in Zürich and at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London where she joined the National Youth Dance Company. Since 1998 she has been performing with choreographers and companies including the Tanztheater Basel, Blanca Li, Gisèle Vienne, Gilles Jobin, La Ribot and Marco Berrettini. She was also a guest performer in Humain writes by William Forsythe and B.O.B by Dick Wong. She develops her own work using different mediums as text, videos, music, dance and performance. Her dance pieces and performances are mainly solos or duets, Froufrou being her first ensemble work. For the past 2 years she has been working on miniature pieces, one to one performances as Hotel Oloffson, where she welcomes the audience in a hotel room, or Le Triomphe de la renommée where they are welcomed in the dressing room of the theater. Moreover, Marie-Caroline Hominal collaborated with other artists such as François Chaignaud with whom she created Duchesses, Clive Jenkins, Cristian Vogel, Kim Boninsegni, and recently with her brother David Hominal. Under the name MCH she shot a number of videos that have been shown at numerous festivals. In 2012 she was selected by the modul-dance project to develop Froufrou.
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Marie-Caroline Hominal
Marie-Caroline Hominal, “Froufrou” © Clive Jenkins
madmoisellemch.com
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities Palau de la Música Catalana, near Antic Teatre Palau de la Música 4-6
100% Catalan
02 Trendy (3 in 1) Cosmo, a coffee and art gallery Enric Granados 3
Done!
trendy
03
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Antic Teatre. Go early and enjoy the terrace with trees Verdaguer i Callís 12
scenic 04
Done!
Done!
Vermouth with two grandmas Ven tú! A travelling band of rabble, drinking vermouths on Sunday. See the Ven tú! Facebook page to find out the venue facebook.com/VenTubcn
16
vermouth Done!
05
Out of range Lounging under the sun in Parc de la Ciutadella
sun Done!
Detail The CCCB bookshop Montalegre 5
detail Done!
17
06 07 Something for free Blues concert in Bar Honky Tonk on Saturday and Sunday evenings Finlàndia 45. Sants quarter. Get off the underground in the station Plaça de Sants
free
08
Done!
A tapa Cheese from La Mancha with jam on the terrace of Bar Candela Plaça de Sant Pere 12
tapa Done!
09 A strange place Drinking a pastis in Bar Pastís while taking in the memories and admiring the pictures on the walls Santa Mònica 4
strange 10
Done!
A restaurant with no stars An exquisite vegetarian restaurant in El Raval called Sésamo Sant Antoni Abat 52
restaurant Done!
11
A place where you can find me La Poderosa, A Space for Dance and its Contaminants See the activities at lapoderosa.es
find me Done!
12 Showcasing The vintage shops on Carrer de la Riera Baixa, especially the store Motel whose owner, Elisabeth, has put together a superb collection of second-hand clothes from the 1950s and 60s
shops Done!
18
13 One place I personally recommend Sor Rita, a kitsch cocktail bar with cheesy retro music and unthinkable folkloric, Almodóvar-style dÊcor Carrer de la Mercè 27
cocktails 14
Done!
A panoramic view The vantage point of Tibidabo which you can reach by using the funicular
panoramic view Done!
15 A secret La Ciutat Invisible. The name is beautiful, though its work is more so. It is a cooperative bookshop for critical thought on education, ecology and social movements. As well as books they have other items and conduct a training project It is located at Carrer de Riego 35, in Sants. It is vital to wend your way around Sants quarter in the vicinity of Plaça d’Osca
secret Done!
16
17 A souvenir A vinyl record, book or comic from Mercat de Sant Antoni, every Sunday Comte d’Urgell
A market Lostandfound, a second hand market at l’Estació de França Check out for dates: lostandfoundbcn.com
market
Done!
buy Done!
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Something missing? Something like Mr. Sunday in New York, an outdoor electronic music festival by day with barbecue
festival
19
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/20xFrz
Iris Heitzinger & Natalia Jiménez, “L_ENTES” © yoanam2
Iris Heitzinger presents Barcelona to Jurij Konjar
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Iris Heitzinger Iris Heitzinger completed her training at the Anton Bruckner University (Linz) and continued her studies in England, The Netherlands, Belgium and Finland. Since then she has collaborated with various artists and groups including Guillermo Weickert (ES), Cia. Senza Tempo (ES), Cia. Lanònima Imperial (ES), Jeremy Wade (USA), Ted Stoffer (Belgium), Vicent Dance Theatre (UK), H2Dance (SE/N), Cie. Laroque (AT) and Editta Braun Company (AT). She teaches regular classes and workshops in contemporary dance, improvisation and composition in Austria, Canada, Japan, Poland, Spain and the UK. Since 2007 she has been creating her own work with interest in interdisciplinary collaborations such as the interactive piece Blackbox (2010) with the guinea pig collective - new media/ movement/sound, L_ENTES (2012) together with the chroreographer Natalia Jiménez, Trinity (2013), a co-creation with the visual artist Oscar Sol and Caída libre (2013) in collaboration with the circus artist Joan Català, amongst others. Iris Heitzinger currently lives and works between Barcelona and Salzburg. missluisstwisted.flavors.me
Jurij Konjar © Nada Žgank
Jurij Konjar was born in Ljubljana, where he trained in judo and singing from an early age. He began dancing in ballroom competitions and received technical training in Slovenia. He studied musical in London and went on to train at PARTS in Brussels. He has worked with Les Ballets C de la B, Maja Delak, Janez Janša and Boris Charmatz. His own works include the trio Catharsis for Beginners and the solos Ulysses, Goldberg Variations and For Juliano Mer-Khamis. In 2007 Jurij suffered a head injury that shifted the focus of his work towards an improvisational practice. He has collaborated with the Tuning Ensemble and with Lisa Nelson in the publication of the Goldberg Observations. For the last four years he has worked closely with Steve Paxton on further developing the Goldberg Variations and performing Paxton’s solo, Bound. Within the moduldance project he has led a research project called Still, focusing on transmission and performance of improvisation.
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Jurij Konjar
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities The Castellers (human towers) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell
100% Catalan Done!
02
Trendy (3 in 1) A French vintage shop in Carrer de la Riera Baixa
trendy
03
Done!
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Antic Teatre. They have a very diverse programme Verdaguer i CallĂs 12
scenic 04
Done!
Vermouth with 2 grandmas Bodega La Palma. They have homemade vermouth and many residents go there Carrer de la Palma de Sant Just 7
vermouth 22
Done!
05
Out of range Tibidabo
mountain Done!
Detail The courtyard of the Maritime Museum Avinguda de les Drassanes s/n
detail Done!
23
06 07 Something for free Montjuïc Magic Fountain Plaça Carles Buigas 1
free Done!
08 A tapa Fried artichokes
tapa Done!
09 A strange place Poble Espanyol Avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i GuĂ rdia 13
strange Done!
10
A restaurant with no stars Meson David Carrer de les Carretes 63
restaurant Done!
11
A place where you can find me At the park of Estació del Nord Almogàvers 27-61
find me Done!
12 Showcasing At Carrer d’Avinyó
shops Done!
24
13 One place I personally recommend Tragant Dansa Reig i Bonet 23 Or the Espai de dansa i creació Ca l’Alegre de Dalt 55 bis
dance 14
Done!
A panoramic view Barcelona Botanic Garden Doctor Font i Quer 2
panoramic view Done!
15 A secret After a night of partying you can always eat the first croissant in El Rincón del Artista. The blinds are always shut but they will let you in if you knock on the shutter Nou de la Rambla 105
secret Done!
16
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
market
17
Done!
A souvenir Pernil del país (cured ham)
ham Done!
18
Something missing? Taking a bike ride downhill from Park Güell to the beach
bike ride
25
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/JvuBx8
Guy Nader | Maria Campos, “ZENITH” © Anna Arroyo
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Maria Campos & Guy Nader present Barcelona to Luca Silvestrini
Maria Campos studied at SEAD in Austria and graduated from the Amsterdam School of the Arts (MTD) in 2003. She has worked with various companies and independent artists, combining teaching and her own creation. She has worked with Meekers in co-production with Hans Hof Ensemble in The Netherlands, Protein Dance and Tom Dale in the UK, and with Sol Picó, Àngels Margarit/Cia. Mudances, John Jasperse, Susana Amarante Duarte, Bebeto Cidra and Roser López Espinosa, among others. Since 2006 she has been working with Guy Nader creating joint pieces. She has also worked on several occasions as an assistant and performer in community dance projects such as Crossroads, produced by Mercat de les Flors. Recently she created her own solo piece Tarannà. She is an artist in residence for 2014, together with Guy Nader, at Graner, Fàbrica de Creació in Barcelona, for a new project to be developed in 2014-15. mariacamposarroyo.wordpress.com
Guy Nader Guy Nader combines the creation and direction of his own works with collaborations with other companies, collectives and artists in various disciplines. He has worked with La Intrusa Danza, Bebeto Cidra, Co. Iliacan, Maqamat Dance Theatre and Oreet Ashery, among others. He obtained a BA in Theatre from the Institute of Fine Arts in the Lebanese University in Beirut and trained at the Moveo centre for training and creation in physical theatre in Barcelona. He has received several awards including 1st prize in the international festival 15Masdanza in Gran Canaria. In 2014 he cooperated with Bboy Mickael Marso on the creation of a new piece. He was granted the DanceWEB Europe scholarship to attend the ImPulsTanz festival 2012 in Vienna. He was named associate artist in La Caldera 2012-14 and artist in residence 2014 in Graner, Fàbrica de Creació in Barcelona. guynader.com
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Maria Campos
Luca Silvestrini / Protein, “Border Tales” © Jane Hobson
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Luca Silvestrini
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Born in Italy, Luca Silvestrini studied Performing Arts at Bologna University before moving to the UK to complete his training at Laban. His choreography dates from 1997 when he founded Protein, quickly establishing an idiosyncratic style of dance theatre which is characterized by a deep connection to contemporary life, exploring subject matter ranging from confessional television (Portrait with Group and Duck) and booze culture (Publife), to consumerism (Big Sale) and obsessions with body image (Dear Body). 2011’s LOL (lots of love), inspired by social networking and online dating, garnered huge international acclaim and was nominated for four industry prizes including Best Independent Company at the National Dance Awards 2011 which Protein won. Being equally at home working with professionals and non-professionals has extended international demand for Luca’s work to community settings and he has created large-scale inter-generational productions in Valenciennes, Athens, Barcelona and Turin. Luca has created work for the Royal Opera House, Transitions, Intoto, Bare Bones, CandoCo, From Here to Maturity, Funny Bones, Company of Elders at Sadler’s Wells, Sankalpalm, HeadSpace Dance, English National Opera, Theatre Rites, Royal Court Theatre, Duckie and Youth Music Theatre UK. He is a Work Place artist. In 2012 he was selected by the modul-dance project to develop the piece Border Tales, focussing on experiences of multi-culturalism and the lives of migrants, which toured the UK in 2013. proteindance.co.uk
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities Montserrat (mountain)
100% Catalan Done!
02 Trendy (3 in 1) Fàbrica Moritz Ronda de Sant Antoni 39-41
trendy
03
Done!
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Tablao Cordobés Les Rambles 35
scenic 04
Done!
Vermouth with 2 grandmas Bar Tomás Major de Sarrià 49
vermouth
30
Done!
05
Out of range The hammam Aire de Barcelona Passeig de Picasso 22
relax
Done!
Detail The heart of the Raval Go to Carrer de Guifré 9 and look above you
detail Done!
31
06 07 Something for free CaixaForum Avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 6-8
free
08
Done!
A tapa Red peppers stuffed with cod in El Xampanyet Carrer de Montcada 22
tapa Done!
09 A strange place Pipa Club Plaça Reial 3
strange Done!
10
A restaurant with no stars La Cova Fumada (strange opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 15:20 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays also from 18:00 to 20:20 p.m.) Baluard 56
restaurant Done!
11
A place where you can find us Parc de la Ciutadella
find us Done!
12 Showcasing El Born quarter
quarter
Done!
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13 One place we personally recommend El JabalĂ de Ronda Ronda de Sant Pau 15
eat
14
Done!
A panoramic view The vantage point of Tibidabo
panoramic view Done!
15 A secret At the top of Vinçon shop you can take a great siesta under the sun in the sofa area Passeig de Gràcia 96
secret Done!
16
A market On Carrer de l’Allada-Vermell every weekend El Born quarter
market
17
Done!
A souvenir A good wine that you can buy at the Bodega Vinito Parlament 27
wine Done!
18
Something missing? Sitges
out of city 33
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/gpXTiw
Masu Fajardo, “Sujeto Visible (+) Sujeto Invisible” © Enrique Fajardo
Masu Fajardo presents Barcelona to La Zampa
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Masu Fajardo Masu Fajardo (Tenerife, 1978) is an artist from the Canary Islands who has trained in contemporary dance in the Canary Islands and Barcelona. She studied cultural management (at the University of Alcalá de Henares) and history of art. Her time in Barcelona featured training as part of the research team Move your Body led by Carmelo Salazar (along with other choreographers such as Carme Torrent, Bea Fernández, Carmelo Fernandez and Oscar Dasi), she gained experience with the choreographer Olga Mesa on El Cuerpo Próximo in Strasbourg and took part in Mugaxoan (Arteleku, San Sebastian and the Serralves foundation, Oporto) a project devoted to artistic research and projects that do not conform to traditional production systems. As a performer she has worked with Cía. Konic thr (interactive multimedia languages) with whom she has performed several shows (D’Aigua/Nou ID and Cherry Bone) with presentations in Casablanca, France, Geneva, Mexico, Moscow and New York, among others. Since 2005 she has prepared her own stage and exhibition works, especially pieces focussing on the concept of emptiness as a place of power. Some of her latest works along these lines include Microficciones (cómo desaparecer en escena), Simulación del vacío, WOU, Equilibrios y otras coreografías (video) and Sujeto Invisible+Sujeto Visible. She has worked as a curator at La Poderosa, A Space for Dance and its Contaminants and Elclimamola. masufajardo.com
Magali Milian studied at the Avignon Conservatory and went on to train at the CNDC in Angers. Romuald Luydlin began learning Butô with Sumako Koseki and Nô theatre with Master Kano. Together they began to train in Aikido and develop different approaches to movement. They founded the company La Zampa and both participate as choreographers and performers. Since 2000, they have created a dozen plays and performances and organized research laboratories. Following the Requiem project, a piece created in successive steps with the guitarist Marc Sens and the rapper Casey, they were selected in 2012 for the modul-dance project to develop Spekies, a piece for a dancer and a musician based on a text by Caryl Férey. They are also working on the new project Habits Noirs Collective, written by thriller authors Caryl Férey and Jean-Bernard Pouy. Also in 2012, they performed in the revival of Mauvais Genre (Alain Buffard). They have been selected as associate artists at the Théâtre de Nîmes for 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, during which three projects will emerge, B&B, created for young audiences, Pixies 9ch, a sound installation/performance by (and with) Valérie Leroux, and finally Opium, in March 2016.
Magali Milian & Romulad Luydlin / La Zampa, “Spekies” © Alain Scherer
lazampa.net
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La Zampa
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities Palau de la Música Catalana Palau de la Música 4-6
100% Catalan 02
Done!
Trendy (3 in 1) Lailo Vintage Barcelona (second hand clothes and costumes) Riera Baixa 20
trendy Done!
03 A scenic alibi of Barcelona Inside basílica of Santa Maria del Mar Plaça Santa Maria 1
36
scenic 04
Done!
Vermouth with two grandmas El Xampanyet Carrer de Montcada 22
vermouth Done!
05
Out of range La Bata de Boatiné, a place to have one for the road Carrer d’en Robador 23
drink Done!
06 37
Detail Observing typical, appealing Catalan bars (while going on a vermouth trail around the Gòtic quarter)
detail Done!
07 Something for free A walk around Barceloneta neighbourhood at around 9 a.m.
08 A tapa In La Boqueria market, but beware at peak times, there are too many tourists! La Rambla 91
tapa Done!
free Done!
09 A strange place Las Ramblas at night loses its identity; it becomes a tourist spot from which it is better to flee
strange Done!
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10
A restaurant with no stars Las Fernandez Carrer de les Carretes 11
restaurant Done!
11
Unplugged On Plaรงa Reial
unplugged Done!
12 Showcasing The CCCB always has good exhibitions. Its bar is perfect for a quiet drink after visiting an exhibition Montalegre 5
museum Done!
13 A panoramic view From Montjuïc castle
panoramic view Done!
14
A secret Remove the skin from calçots (if nobody teaches you how to eat, you may end up doing so with the skin on)
secret
Done!
15 A market In Gràcia quarter
market Done!
don’t ask
Done!
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16
A souvenir Caganer (but just for Christmas)
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/5QBjAG
El Conde de Torrefiel, “La chica de la agencia de viajes nos dijo que había piscina en el apartamento” © Carlos Martorell
Pablo Gisbert presents Barcelona to Alessandro Sciarroni
Pablo Gisbert Pablo Gisbert was born in Ontinyent in 1982. He studied Philosophy at the University of Valencia and then moved to Madrid and Barcelona to pursue Stage Direction and Playwriting. He is a member of the artistic team La Veronal and works on drama composition for their pieces. Alongside Tanya Beyeler he embarked on the stage project El Conde de Torrefiel and they currently live and work based in Barcelona. Pablo Gisbert won the Bradomín Award for Theatre of 2011 from the INJUVE Institute for his final year project and he was nominated for the Fabulamundi: Playwriting Europe platform in 2013. His works stem from a variation between literature, arts and crafts, and choreography and his career stands out thanks to his contribution and acknowledgment among new generations in the contemporary national scene.
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elcondedetorrefiel.com
Alessandro Sciarroni is an Italian performer, choreographer and director with a background in visual arts who has worked as a performer for several years. Since 2007 his work has been performed in 21 European countries, in Uruguay (FIDCU) and in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Art Fair). In 2013, Folk-s launched the Rencontres internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis and concluded the ImPulsTanz festival in Wien, getting afterwards invitations to many acclaimed European festivals including the Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Brussels and the Festival d’Automne in Paris which devoted a monographic programme performed in different theatres of the city to him. Furthermore, in 2013 and 2014 he was invited to set up a couple of events for the Venice Biennale, dance section, directed by Virgilio Sieni. He has taken part in cross-border networks that promote contemporary dance and artist mobility within Europe such as Anticorpi Explo and Aerowaves. He has also taken part in residency projects such as Choreographic dialogues and Choreoroam. At present he is involved in Performing Gender, a European dance project on gender and sexual orientation, and Migrant Body, a dance project that aims to translate into choreographic creations a reflection on migration and its cultural impact on European and Canadian society. In 2012 he was selected by the modul-dance project to develop UNTITLED_I will be there when you die.
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Alessandro Sciarroni
Alessandro Sciarroni, “UNTITLED_I will be there when you die” © Andrea Pizzalis per Centrale Fies
alessandrosciarroni.it
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities The sardana, every Sunday morning in front of the Cathedral
100% Catalan Done!
02
03
Trendy (3 in 1) Miguel Noguera
trendy Done!
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Secció Irregular at Mercat de les Flors, Nits Salvatges by La Porta at CCCB (no longer held, but someone should revive it) and the highly amusing performing sessions at Nyam Nyam
scenic 04
42
Done!
Vermouth with two grandmas There is a very quaint bar on one of the side streets that leads off Carrer de l’Hospital. It’s name is Bar Bodega Restaturante Mieza Carrer d’en Roig 16
vermouth Done!
05
Out of range Two years ago a meeting of graffiti artists was held and in El Carmel there is an awe-inspiring piece by Blu. He painted over some 1980s communist graffiti and designed a huge shark from banknotes
graffiti
Done!
06 Detail There are tiles all over Barcelona bearing a four-leaf clover
detail Done!
07 43
Something for free Cruising on MontjuĂŻc
free Done!
08 A tapa Calçots, better than a tapa
09 A strange place As you go down from MontjuĂŻc cemetery and enter the port area, which in theory is out of bounds, there is a mysterious bar where all the sailors meet which is run by a German couple. There are people from all over the world there who go after work and talk in every language under the sun. It is the UN for fisherman
strange Done!
tapa Done!
10
A restaurant with no stars After rehearsing in AdriAntic (La Pau underground stop), there are only two bars you can go to. In one of them, there is an elderly gentleman from Extremadura who makes the best baguettes I’ve seen in my life
restaurant 44
Done!
11
A place where you can find me Walking around Poble Nou quarter for the sake of it and letting the wind slap me in the face
find me Done!
12
Showcasing Carrer de Sants is the street with the most shops per square metre in the world, or so I have been told
shops
13
Done!
One place I personally recommend Antic Teatre; ask for Paco Verdaguer i CallĂs 12
theatre Done!
14 A panoramic view From high up in El Carmel, take the number 24 bus to get there and ask where the bunkers are. You can see Barcelona in all its glory
panoramic view Done!
15 A secret There is a beautiful park inside a hotel in the Gòtic quarter, on Carrer de la Boqueria. It’s case of getting to the hotel and saying: “Hi, I’ve come to see the public garden”. If you’ve got the wrong hotel and they look at you strangely, try the next one. I think there are three hotels along the street so you can’t go far wrong
secret 16
Done!
A market One has just opened in Poble Nou quarter. On Sundays. They sell records, fanzines…
market
17
Done!
A souvenir An I LOVE BCN t-shirt
t-shirt Done!
18
Something missing? Go and see the rebuilt Mies van der Rohe pavilion on Montjuïc. It was originally destroyed but later rebuilt. It costs 2€ Avinguda Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 7 Done!
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architecture Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/OMDJ9z
Sonia Gómez, “Moviments Polítics” © André Broessel
Sonia Gómez presents Barcelona to Eugénie Rebetez
Sonia Gómez Performative strategies by Sonia Gómez. I can go to that site, relate, let me know, make me understand, strengthen my position, let me out, jumping an obstacle, forcing the situation, overcome my own brand, distrust, notice the blush, try again, persevere, test, provoke, correct the path, seek balance, leave without being seen, come back, try again, close the eyes, err, succumb, falling, melt or float and retire early.
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soniagomez.com
Eugénie Rebetez The Swiss dancer and choreographer Eugénie Rebetez studied dance in the arts section of the Belgian high school in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, before joining the international art school ArtEZ in Arnhem, Holland, where she obtained a degree in dance and choreography in 2005. She went on to work with, notably, David Zambrano in Brussels and Amsterdam, and Zimmermann & de Perrot in Zurich. In 2008, she settled in Switzerland. She has since created two solo shows : Gina (2010) and Encore (2013). She’s been awarded with the Prix CICAS for emerging artists (2010) and Prix Suisse de la Scène (2013) among others. In 2011 she was selected by the modul-dance project to develop the piece Encore.
Eugénie Rebetez, “Encore” © Augustin Rebetez
47
eugenierebetez.com
01
A small but essential sample of Catalan identities MNAC: the collection of Romanesque art is the largest in the world, especially the series of mural paintings and prints by Fortuny, a key figure in the history of Europe together with Ribera and Goya Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc s/n Mies van der Rohe’s Pavilion: one of the four canonical pieces of architecture of the Modern movement Avinguda Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 7
100% Catalan Done!
02
48
03
Trendy (3 in 1) On Carrer del Parlament close to Avinguda del Paral·lel: Federal Café (lunch restaurant), Tarannà Cafè, Zuckerhaus (German pastry) vs. Sirvent (horchata – tiger nut milk drink)
trendy
A scenic alibi of Barcelona El Palomar, a collaborative project between artists. It is embedded as a bastion of speeches, subjects and practice (especially post-feminist and queer culture) that have difficulty penetrating the official contemporary art sphere Elkano 43 bis
scenic
Done!
Done!
04 Vermouth with two grandmas Casa Jacinta Tamarit 154
vermouth Done!
05
Out of range Montserrat (mountain) The small green and white houses in Garraf (beach)
Detail In MACBA there is a panoramic photo of Barcelona Plaça dels Àngels 1
detail
07 Something unexpected Visit Can Batlló, a public amenity managed by the community, a forum for cultural, economic and recreational activities in Sants quartier canbatllo.wordpress.com
Done!
08
Done!
A tapa Pulpo Gallego in Pulpería A Gudiña - octopus shop Entença 2
discover
tapa
Done!
Done!
09
A restaurant with no stars La Foixarda. Booking is essential on weekends and they have capacity for 200 diners (Telephone: 934254789) Avinguda dels Montanyans 1
restaurant Done!
49
06
out of city
10
Unplugged MISCELANEA. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays Guàrdia 10
unplugged Done!
11
Showcasing Carrer d’Avinyó (American Apparel, the Rent Shop, etc.)
50
shops
12
Done!
One place I personally recommend Milano Cocktail-Bar near Plaça de Catalunya. Ask for Juanjo Ronda Universitat 35
cocktails Done!
13
A panoramic view From the terrace of Las Arenas shopping centre Plaça Espanya
panoramic view Done!
14
A secret Techno at Insert allows you to dance and enjoy seven hours of the top artists in the genre with avant-garde lighting and sound. The special times (Sundays from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.) are primarily conceived for those who work in night time leisure spots, university students, those who work in companies with rotating shifts and young family parents who can leave their children with reliable carers and go out in the evening Almogàvers 88
secret
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a. m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
market Done!
16
A souvenir A comic by Juanjo Sáez
book Done!
51
15
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/KnRrlr
Umma Umma Dance, “Stuntman” © Guido Sarli
Guido Sarli presents Barcelona to Patricia Apergi
Guido Sarli
52
Guido Sarli first encountered dance in Rome and he later continued his training in The Netherlands. He graduated as a dancer from Rotterdam Dance Academy (Codarts). During his career he has worked with companies such as IT Dansa (Barcelona) where he has danced for works by Gustavo Ramirez, Alexander Ekman, Stijn Celis, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Rafael Bonachela and Uri Ivgi; and the Batsheva Dance Company where he participated in the Kamuyot project, under the direction of Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin. At the head of his own company Umma Umma Dance, he has created several pieces which have been nominated to take part in several international dance festivals. With his creations he has obtained several choreographic awards including: first prize in Dansalt Choreography Competition 2010, first prize in Burgos-New York Choreography Contest 2012, first prize in Sabadell Choreography Competition 2012, special mention from the jury for choreography and performers in 17Masdanza International Contemporary Dance Festival of the Canary Islands, first prize in Madrid Choreography Competition 2012, second prize in Copenhagen International Choreography Competition 2013 and the production award for Die Tanzkompanie der Oper Graz at the 8th “no ballet” International Choreography Competition 2013. He premiered his new creation Crossfire at Festival TNT 2014. ummaummadance.com
Patricia Apergi was born in Athens. She completed her education in the departments of dance, theatre and choreography at Kapodistrian University in Athens (philosophical school), Niki Kontaxaki dance school, Nice Sophia Antipolis University and Middlesex University in London. Patricia has taken part in numerous workshops for dance and theatre and has worked as a freelance choreographer for various theatres in Greece. Her company Aerites is based in Athens and was formed in 2006. The aim of Aerites Dance Company is to create artistic initiatives based on the synergy between dance, the performing arts, poetry, theatrical practice and new technology. The company has been awarded the Ermis Prize (2008) and 3 Evge awards (2007-2009). The works presented by Aerites are: ERA poVera (2012), d.OΠA! (dopamines of post Athenians) (2010), The Manifest of the Other (2010), Ferry-tails (2009), Apolost (2008) and Anorexia Socialis (2007). In 2012 she was selected by the modul-dance project to develop the project Planites.
53
Patricia Apergi
Patricia Apergi / Aerites,“Planites” © Andresas Endermann
aerites.com
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities La Boqueria market La Rambla 91
100% Catalan
Done!
02
03
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Antic Teatre Carrer de Verdaguer i CallĂs 12
scenic
trendy Done!
Done!
04
54
Trendy (3 in 1) Bar Marsella Sant Pau 65
Vermouth with two grandmas Cala del Vermut Carrer de les Magdalenes 6
vermouth Done!
05
Out of range Laberint d’Horta Passeig dels Castanyers 1
labyrinth
Done!
06 Detail Olokuti shop, they have a beautiful indoor garden perfect for reading Astúries 38
detail Done!
07 55
Something for free Montjuïc Magic Fountain Plaça Carles Buigas 1
free Done!
08 09
A tapa At La Cova Fumada (strange opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 15:20 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays also from 18:00 to 20:20 p.m.) Carrer del Baluard 56
tapa
A strange place On Plaça del Raspall (Gràcia quarter). The community of Catalan gypsies has been living there for years, and it’s where the rumba retains its roots
strange Done!
Done!
10
A restaurant with no stars La Bella Napoli Carrer de Margarit 14
11
restaurant
A place where you can find me Playing pool in HDP Sant Joaquim 35
56
Done!
find me
12
Done!
Showcasing The upper side of El Raval. There are many shops around the MACBA museum and on Carrer dels Tallers
shops Done!
13
One place I personally recommend La Piadina del Sol Pla莽a del Sol
eat
14
A panoramic view Tur贸 de la Rovira with a 360 degree view of the city
panoramic view Done!
Done!
15 A secret A bar: El Bosc de les Fades (The fairy wood) near Las Ramblas at Drassanes
secret
16
Done!
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
17
A souvenir Polvorones and turrones (crumbly shortbread and nougats). There is a shop that sells them on Portal de l’Àngel
market
Done!
sweets Done!
Something missing? The hammam Aire de Barcelona Passeig de Picasso 22
relax
Done!
57
18
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/prtjow
Marcos Morau / La Veronal, “Siena” © Jesús Robisco
Marcos Morau presents Barcelona to Jefta van Dinther
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Marcos Morau Marcos Morau studied choreography at the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona, the Conservatorio Superior de Danza in Valencia, and Movement Research in New York. He completed his choreographic assistantship project at the Nederlands Dans Theater II and with the company IT Dansa directed by Catherine Allard. In 2005 he formed La Veronal, a company made up of artists from dance, film, photography and literature. The direct goal of this artistic team consists of a constant search for new expressive media, for new cultural references – mostly from cinema, literature, music and photography – with a commitment to forceful narrative language aimed at forming global art spaces. The company is creating a set of works where each piece takes a country or city as a starting point, creating an analogy between dance and geography. Morau won the National Dance Award in 2013, granted by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, and has also received a Sebastià Gasch Award, an important prize granted by the FAD Foundation of Arts and Design. His shows have also won prizes at many other national and international choreography competitions. He and his team have begun exporting their style to other companies with an international reputation, creating new pieces for the National Dance Company of Spain, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, Skånes Dansteater and Norrdans, the Royal Danish Theatre and Carte Blanche, among others. In 2011 he and his company were selected by the modul-dance project to develop Siena. laveronal.com
Jefta van Dinther
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Jefta van Dinther (SE/DE) is a choreographer and dancer working between Stockholm and Berlin. He grew up in Sweden and then moved to the Netherlands. He graduated from the Amsterdam School of the Arts (MTD) in 2003. His work is characterized by a rigorous physical approach and always implies a staged research of movement itself. The moving body is centrefold in his work but belongs to and interacts with a body of light, sound and materials that constitute an environment of perception and sensation. The dancers work and dance their way through various environments: their processes exhibited live on stage become performances. Jefta’s works deal with illusion, the visible and the invisible, synaesthesia, darkness and light, labour, the uncanny, affect, voice and image. He often plays with different presentation formats, ranging from traditional set-ups to installation-like settings, and from smaller-scale intimate performances to large-scale productions. As It Empties Out (2014), Plateau Effect (a commission for the Cullberg Ballet in 2013), THIS IS CONCRETE (2012) and also the earlier GRIND (2011) are currently on tour. His other works include The Blanket Dance (2011), Kneeding (2010), The Way Things Go (2009) and IT’S IN THE AIR (2008). His forthcoming show, with the working title EXTENSIONS, will be premiered in January 2016. From 2012 to 2014 he was artistic co-director (with Frederic Gies) of the MA in Choreography programme at the University of Dance and Circus in Stockholm. In 2012 he was selected by the moduldance project to develop As It Empties Out.
Jefta van Dinther © Urban Jörén
jeftavandinther.com
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities The paintings El círculo in the Gran Teatre del Liceu La Rambla 51-59
100% Catalan Done!
02
03
A scenic alibi of Barcelona Secció Irregular, a cycle of performances at the Mercat de les Flors
scenic 60
trendy Done!
Done!
04
Vermouth with two grandmas Lupara Bar Plaça de Santa Caterina 2
vermouth Done!
05
Trendy (3 in 1) Fundació Tàpies Aragó 255
Out of range La Font del Gat Passeig de Santa Madrona 28
fountain
Done!
06 Detail Patatas bravas in Bar Tomás Major de Sarrià 49
detail
Done!
Something for free Parc del Laberint d’Horta Passeig dels Castanyers 1
free 08
Done!
A tapa At Mundial Bar Plaça de Sant Agustí Vell 1
tapa Done!
09 A strange place The bar La Casa de la Pradera Carrer de les Carretes 57
strange Done!
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07
10
A restaurant with no stars Velódromo Muntaner 213
11
restaurant
Unplugged The bookstore Altaïr Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 616
62
Done!
bookstore
12
Done!
Showcasing Vinçon Passeig de Gràcia 96
shop Done!
13 A place I personally recommend Grec theatre when there are no performances Passeig de Santa Madrona 36
14
theatre Done!
A panoramic view MNAC Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc s/n
panoramic view Done!
15 A secret The coast path around Sant Feliu de Guíxols
secret
16
Done!
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
market
Done!
17
A souvenir The cable car ride from Montjuïc to the port
altitude Done!
18
Something missing? Visit Montserrat Monastery (a highly religious experience)
monastery 63
Done!
Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/YhDDPP
loscorderos, “ULTRAinnocence” © rojobarcelona
loscorderos present Barcelona to Sofia Dias & Vítor Roriz
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loscorderos The company was founded in Barcelona in 2003 by David Climent, Pablo Molinero and Pilar López. Its stage language is not based on words but instead on the relationship between text and physicality, the goal being to find new ways of telling stories to reach out-of-the-ordinary worlds, detached from a simple portrait of reality. Their first work, Crónica de José Agarrotado, won the Sebastià Gasch Applause Prize in 2006, with the jury giving the following verdict: “Risk is much appreciated in this new proposal for communication, where all the registers are looked after down to the finest details, with hints of humility onstage, making tangible their humanity, dedication and teamwork (...), which results in a bold gamble combining dance and theatre and demonstrating a clear step forward in the performing arts.” Their second show, El mal menor, won the prize for the best stage production at the Unnim Theatre Awards in 2011 “for the risk and commitment displayed by a work that explores different languages and addresses issues of extreme contemporaneity. For challenging and dazzling the spectators in each sequence thanks to the power and technique of performers in a state of grace and showing total commitment.” In 2013 they received the Sebastià Gasch FAD Award for El cielo de los tristes “a theatre piece that targets the spectators’ instincts by taking a stunning approach that brings us close to total theatre”. In 2012, loscorderos were selected by the modul-dance project to develop the piece ULTRAinnocence. loscorderos.wordpress.com
Sofia Dias & Vítor Roriz Sofia Dias and Vítor Roriz are independent dancers and choreographers who have worked together since 2006 on various dance shows presented in Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany, Romania, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Cyprus, Poland, Finland, Brazil, Austria, Italy and the Czech Republic. Their works include Again from the beginning, Unfolding, A gesture that is nothing but a threat (awarded the Prix Jardin d’Europe), Out of any present, At most mere minimum, in collaboration with Carla Maciel and Gonçalo Waddington, Arremesso (performance, book and soundtrack) and Cais do gás (sound piece for Lisbon by Sound, curated by Tim Etchells and Alkantara). Since the beginning of their partnership they have been supported by Portuguese cultural structures such as Bomba Suicida, Cia Clara Andermatt, Eira, DeVIR/CAPa, Alkantara, Negócio/ZDB, Fórum Dança and O Rumo do Fumo. They teach workshops and classes and organise residencies and meetings for reflection and exchange between artists, such as Aware, which was held in the framework of the 2014 Alkantara Festival. They are associate artists with Materiais Diversos and O Espaço do Tempo. In 2012 they were selected by the modul-dance project to develop Satellites, which will be premiered at Culturgest in April 2015.
Sofia Dias & Vítor Roriz, “A gesture that is nothing but a threat” © João Octávio
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sofiadiasvitorroriz.blogspot.pt
01 A small but essential sample of Catalan identities Festa Major de Gràcia, the annual street festival in the Gràcia quarter in August. It is the most important festival in this quarter and one of the most popular in Barcelona
100% Catalan Done!
02
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03 A scenic alibi of Barcelona Time Out: The most comprehensive guide to Barcelona. Information about art, films, theatre, restaurants and bars, concerts... Online at timeoutbarcelona.es, or in paper from newsagents
scenic
05
Done!
trendy 04
Done!
Vermouth with two grandmas Bodega Costa Brava Alzina 58
vermouth
Out of range The hammam Aire de Barcelona Passeig de Picasso 22
relax
Trendy (3 in 1) Cosmo Galería: Trendy cafe and art gallery. You can have breakfast, lunch or a snack, a coffee or fresh fruit juice, while idling way the time with all the tranquillity in the world at the Scandinavian-style wooden tables, on the sofas in the entrance, or in an armchair with a laptop and Wi-Fi connection. And it’s a great place to read a book or plan your day… you can also wander around the gallery at the back and admire the modern art exhibitions Enric Granados 3
Done! Done!
06 Detail A stroll in the Gothic quarter with its wealth of unusual details
detail
07 Something for free Every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 19 p.m.
08
... and Museu Picasso Carrer de Montcada 15-23
A tapa Salmorejo at La Soleá in the Mercat de les Flors
free
tapa
Done!
Done!
09
A strange place El Bosc de les Fades (The fairy wood). Bar reconstructed as an enchanted wood, decorated with trees, waterfalls and bridges. It’s not worth having anything to eat or drink, it’s expensive and the service is poor. Go inside, have a look round and leave Passatge de la Banca 5. Next to the Wax Museum in Las Ramblas
strange Done!
10
A restaurant with no stars Pa i Trago, it’s like eating at your grandma’s house: typical homemade Catalan food Parlament 41
restaurant Done!
67
CCCB - Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona Montalegre 5
Done!
11
A place where you can find us Cines Verdi Verdi 32 Cines Verdi Park Torrijos 49
find us
12 Showcasing El Born quarter
Done!
68
quarter Done!
13
One place we personally recommend Bar Restaurante Las Fernรกndez. In the Raval quarter, with a Mediterranean touch of home cooking but Bierzo designation of origin, the region where the three Fernรกndez sisters who rule the roost come from. Ask for Berta Carrer de les Carretes 11
eat
Done!
14 A panoramic view Collserola telecommunications tower, built for the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. Designed by British architect Norman Foster. Beautiful panoramic views of Barcelona from the observation point located on the tenth floor Carretera de Vallvidrera al Tibidabo. Take the Tibidabo funicular + bus 111
panoramic view
Done!
15
A secret Tortilla de patatas - Vegan, typical Spanish potato omelette. Vegetart is a ready-cooked, take-away food joint offering traditional Catalan cuisine without any ingredients of animal origin Torrent de l’Olla 138
secret
A market Encants Vells on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. onwards Plaça de les Glòries
Done!
17
A souvenir A porró (a glass wine jar with a long tapered drinking spout). 100% Catalan and 100% authentic
porró
16
market Done!
Done!
18
Something missing? Just contact us for anything else you may need ;) loscorderos.wordpress.com
Done!
69
contact us Check out the Google maps version:
goo.gl/5ui6W2
Routing Tracing a tour. Following a route. Going from one place to the next, stopping along the way at one spot or another for one reason, interest, need or another. The city organises bodies, it choreographs them along its urban routes, in the same way the writer does with words as his text unfolds. Indeed, writing also constitutes tracing a tour on a blank page. As Georges Perec pointed out in his book Species of Space: “This is how space begins, with words only, signs traced on the blank page�.* Upon reading, the reader traces a tour through meanings, concepts and ideas that unfold in the text, albeit in more of a rhizomatic, less linear fashion than a route. The route was the road map of Ancient Rome which gave the direction and description of a path which included mentions of places, stops and accidents that may be encountered along the way. Accordingly, a route is still technology that helps an outsider to become acquainted with a place or to discover a known place in another way. With this idea in mind, some local artists from Barcelona were asked to trace routes in the city mentioning unique places that may be of interest to a foreign artist coming to work and live in the city. An endless array of specific tours was thus created according to the interests of local artists along the urban layout of the city.
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Places that make, that produce, that manage; hidden, secret, submerged places; underground and above ground places; instituted, self-managed or institutionalised places; public, dark or decentralised places; common, private and privatised places; occupied and reclaimed places; expensive, sunny places and ones with views; damp, nutritious or green places; sweltering places; functional, adapted, see-through places; sensitive, magical or surreal places. In recent years, an endless array of self-instituted spaces have cropped up in Barcelona where work is carried out along with production, while activities are organised in order to showcase a cultural fabric that all too often is either hidden or eclipsed by the initiatives of official institutions. I do not conceive these spaces, or the work that unfolds within them as a counter-culture or a response intended to challenge the institutionalised culture of theatres, museums, auditoriums or galleries. These forums constitute the cultural fabric of the city in the same way that the official institutions do. Artists are able to, or should be able to work in both, thus breaking away from the idea of a hierarchy or dualism between official culture and underground culture. Both the self-instituted and the official spaces offer their benefits and limitations and are governed by specific terms which, if an artist knows how to take them on board, the work he produces as a result will flourish.
Along these lines, we should acknowledge the endeavours being undertaken by these spaces with regard to disciplines in a permeable, flexible manner as something positive as well. It is not a space for dance or visual arts; rather, these spaces house multidisciplinary activities where performances are given in addition to exhibitions or film series. This fosters discourse that is less partitioned and helps to establish ties between artists from varying disciplines.
Let’s head outside and trace a route via these other (and not so other) spaces that weave the city’s map of culture day by day. Let us begin with Montjuïc mountain, from which there are stunning views of Barcelona. We will start from afar and gradually go deep within its streets, tracing tours and diversions. Among other areas, this mountain is home to the Fundació Miró, housing the work of the painter, temporary exhibitions and Espai 13, a forum for experimentation and the freshest creations of local visual artists. Designed by the architect Josep Lluís Sert in 1975 the building is one of the city’s architectural gems. I have to admit that often one of the reasons for going to the Miró foundation is to marvel at its architecture, one of my favourites. If we walk down through the gardens on the mountain we reach the Ciutat del Teatre, which houses the Teatre Lliure, the Institut del Teatre and the Mercat de les Flors. Due to my interests, I would like to highlight the programming of the Secció Irregular of the Mercat de les Flors which in three years has managed to place performance and choreographic works – understood in the broadest sense – on the local map by organising an international programme of quality whilst also supporting local creators. If we continue downhill on the slopes of Poble-sec neighbourhood we come to Homesession, an establishment that has been refurbished as a dwelling. Run by Frenchmen Olivier Collet and Jerôme Lefaure, Homesession is a forum for creation and residence, and doubles up as a platform for research and curatorship. Very near this home – Olivier and Jerôme’s residence – is El Palomar, a small top floor property with a terrace, or as Mariokissme and R. Marcos Mota describe it: “A horizontal, over ground space to enable people’s careers to take off; a place for meeting, exhibition and dialogue. El Palomar is perused as a bastion of discourse, subjects and practices that encounter difficulty in breaking onto the official contemporary artist scene.”
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However, what spaces are we talking about?
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If we cross the Paral·lel, a mythical boulevard of night-time culture with cabarets, variety shows, musicals, and other similar displays we delve into Sant Antoni neighbourhood. On Carrer Sepúlveda a new space recently opened for research, creation and dissemination of the artistic experience in all guises. Run by dancer and choreographer Anna Rubirola La Visiva is a venue for rehearsals, workshops, classes, training, film projections, exhibitions and other artistic events. Continuing along Carrer Sepúlveda if we go down Carrer de Joaquim Costa in El Raval neighbourhood, also known as Chinatown, on the right lies Carrer de la Paloma, known for La Paloma ballroom, an emblematic hall where the elderly would dance to the music of the orchestra until it was the turn of the DJ rolling out the tunes for the young people, a pleasant time for both generations to coexist in a venue that has since shut down. This street is also home to the Velvet Sweatshop – Sudorosa – a venue set up by dancer and performer Victoria Macarte which offers classes, workshops, training and flea markets and is where Victoria and other artists engage in their (sweaty) practices. Continuing down Rambla del Raval, a newly-established boulevard intended to cleanse the neighbourhood, in parallel to it on Carrer de la Riereta is one of the forums for dance and its associated disciplines that has been open in the city for the longest time. La Poderosa, founded by Las Santas (Bea Fernández, Silvia Sant Funk and Mónica Muntaner) and currently run by the ARTASS collective, carries out fundamental efforts in the field of choreographic practice and research, showcasing works in progress and experimental pieces. Going back up Rambla del Raval and following Carrer de Joaquim Costa, on the right we see MACBA, Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art. As an official institution for contemporary art, MACBA has begun to change course and focus more on practices more intimately tied with the local setting. The museum also runs the Independent Studies Programme, directed by Beatriz Preciado, which infuses the institution with critical discourse. On the other side of the wall lies the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona, another institution for contemporary practices which often houses interesting exhibitions and film, music and video festivals and other artistic expressions engaged with citizen movements. If we cross the square in front of the MACBA, a melting pot for skaters the world over, and head towards Las Ramblas, we cross Las Ramblas and come to Plaça Villa de Madrid, the burial site of Roman Barcelona. Right beside the square in a private apartment the Green Parrot has just opened its doors. Directed by Joâo Laia and Rosa Lleó, it is a forum for contemporary artistic practices and houses four exhibitions every year, as well as the projects and activities stemming from them.
If we continue walking and reach the cathedral, just alongside it we come to the City History Museum, a place which has enthralled me ever since I was a small child, a place where you can walk below the modern city and above Roman Barcelona. Behind the cathedral is Monte Tábor. If we go in the building housing the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya, we can see the columns that remain from the ancient Temple of Augustus. A true gem that very few outsiders come to discover. If we cross Via Laietana, leaving the ancient Roman city behind us, we come to the neighbourhood of La Ribera and El Born. Four years ago, Espacio Práctico, another self-instituted forum for artistic practice, opened its doors in a dark side street. Founded by the dancers Javier Vaquero and myself, it provides classes and workshops, and houses exhibitions, film series, performances, creations and other artistic events.
Depending on how tired you are feeling, you could hop on the underground at Marina, change to the yellow line in Urquinaona and get off at Passeig de Gràcia. In the heart of the Eixample, just a stone’s throw from the excessively visited buildings of Gaudí, on Carrer d’Aragó we find the Fundació Antoni Tàpies. As with the Fundació Miró, the Tàpies foundation exhibits the work of the painter and also engages in huge efforts to develop projects that centre on contemporary discourse both involving acclaimed artists and current artists. Its director, Laurence Rassel, has oriented the foundation towards open source practices where the visitor is a further agent, involved, intrigued by and committed to artistic practice. Moreover, the library in the Fundació Tàpies is one of the most remarkable in Barcelona and it includes a highly extensive specialised collection.
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We now head towards the neighbourhood of Poblenou, a neighbourhood that formed the city’s production hub with factories that have currently been abandoned, occupied or refurbished as lofts and artist workshops. Within this Brooklyn in Barcelona, the Nyamnyam project has been set up in one of these factory buildings on a sixth floor flat on Carrer de Pallars next to the railway lines. This project created by visual artist Iñaki Álvarez and violinist and dancer Ariadna Rodríguez, fuses the culture of cuisine and eating with contemporary artistic practices. Aside from cooking to order and preparing dishes sous-vide, they engage in fascinating projects such as Everything I like is against the law, immoral or fattening, which invites a different artist every month to work at the venue in residence while opening the doors of the research project once a week at lunch time. Those who come can see the project unfold thanks to the artist’s work and leave with satisfied stomachs. They also organise activities for children, introducing them to cooking in a highly creative manner.
If we continue up Rambla de Catalunya, on the street running parallel we find the Galeria Estrany de la Mota on Passatge de Mercader. This gallery, which houses a selection by some of the foremost visual artists of the present day, displays highly intriguing, delicately put together exhibitions. In order to conclude our route I thought there could be no better way than to climb another mountain which, like the sea, borders the urban area. This time we can head for Tibidabo in the park of Vallvidrera. We need to catch the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat train in Provença, near the gallery we have just seen and then get off at the stop Peu del Funicular. Opposite the station, on the ground floor of one of the typical summer mansions of the ancient Catalan bourgeoisie, we find the Half House, a blend of a house and a meeting point for artistic communication and exchange where people can work directly with the resident artist. Like Home Session, Half House is in a venue that is a fusion of an art gallery and a research and creation centre for new and professional artists, critics or curators. Moreover, being up on the mountain only ten minutes from the city by rail is a real treat. This route around the spots that form part of my artistic practice, both as spectator and artist, may indeed also have another reading. This tour can be seen from the standpoint of urban speculation or gentrification; it can be seen from a social perspective, looking into why certain cultural spaces crop up in specific neighbourhoods and not in others; it can be seen as a historical or even political tour. As I stated at the beginning, all these readings are part of the route the reader will follow whilst reading this text or upon completing it, according to his interests and knowledge. My aim is merely to share a possible route with the reader (impossible to follow in one day unless you suffer from some kind of art-related compulsive obsessive disorder) that brings together differing types of spaces and showcases a cultural fabric that feeds the minds of artists and people who are interested in contemporary artistic practices.
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Aimar PĂŠrez GalĂ Barcelona, May 2014
* PEREC, Georges (2007), Especies de espacios, Barcelona: Ed. Montesinos, p. 33
Links to the spaces mentioned Fundació Miró fundaciomiro-bcn.org Mercat de les Flors - Secció Irregular mercatflors.cat Homesession homesession.org El Palomar el-palomar.tumblr.com La Visiva lavisiva.org Velvet Sweatshop lasudorosa.com La Poderosa lapoderosa.es MACBA macba.cat The Green Parrot thegreenparrot.org CCCB cccb.org The City History Museum of Barcelona museuhistoria.bcn.cat Espacio Práctico espaciopractico.wordpress.com
Fundació Antoni Tàpies fundaciotapies.org
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nyamnyam nyamnyam.net
COLLECTION Athens (GR) Barcelona (ES) Bassano del Grappa (IT) Dresden (DE) London (GB) Paris (FR) Poznań (PL) Stockholm (SE) Toulouse (FR) Vienna (AT) MODUL-DANCE PROJECT MANAGEMENT Mercat de les Flors Project leader Francesc Casadesús
Project advisor Ulrike Kuner
Project assistant Mara Maso
Communication manager Sílvia González
Lleida, 59
ES
Barcelona · 08004
Tel. + 34 932 562 600
Project manager Amélie Louys
modul-dance.eu
Coordination of the guide at Graner, Fàbrica de Creació and Mercat de les Flors Barcelona: Elena Carmona granerbcn.cat / mercatflors.cat Printed in 2014 MODUL-DANCE PARTNERS adc Genève CH (associated partner) - Art Stations Foundation Poznań PL - CDC Toulouse FR CND Paris FR - Centro per la Scena Contemporanea Bassano del Grappa IT - Dance Gate Lefkosia Cyprus CY - Dance Ireland Dublin IE - Dansens Hus Stockholm SE - Dansehallerne Copenhagen DK - DeVIR/CAPa Faro PT - DDRC Athens GR - HELLERAU-Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden DE - Kino Šiška Ljubljana SI - Maison de la Danse Lyon FR - Mercat de les Flors Barcelona ES - Plesna Izba Maribor SI - Danshuis Station Zuid Tilburg NL - Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf DE Tanzquartier Wien AT - The Place London GB
modul-dance Barcelona, an artist’s-eye view
This work programme has been funded with the support of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be hold responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.