A “Cathedral” of Characters in Northern Spain

January 6, 2016 Artists

It’s a cathedral of characters, this abandoned furniture factory forty kilometers outside of Barcelona. Cartoons, illustrations, portraits are everywhere; a curious collection of aerosol spray pieces that highlights the popularity of the animated and exaggerated personalities among graffiti and Street Artists in this region of the world.

Aryz . Rostro Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

The character may be a salty with a haggard stare, or reference a topic with a bit of satire. The scene may be serious, comical, ridiculous or purely sci-fi and horror. You discover the stories and allegories as you walk through the empty manufacturing rooms now flooded with natural light and dust. Expressions and situations here are full of drama that may trigger your empathy, startle your attention, elicit a shiver, or creepily fondle your funny bone.

Aryz. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Traveling Spanish urban photographer Lluis Olive Bulbena tells us that the economic crash of 2008 killed many factories like this in Spain and high youth unemployment drove many artists to adorn them with paintings like these. Because of the calm, serene environment of this particular ex-factory where artists roam freely and take long hours to complete these figures in the open air, the colorful forms may call to mind stained glass windows you see in more hallowed houses. Perhaps that is why Bulbena feels so moved that he’s christened this place “La Catedral” (The Cathedral).

We thank him for sharing these images from his latest pilgrimage with BSA readers.

Aryz. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Simon Vazquez. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Aryz . Vino .GR170. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

GR170. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Enric Sant. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Julien. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Anja Mila. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

S. Waknine. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

RIM. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Manu Manu. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Lons Dops. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Kram. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Baldick. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Cisco. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Enric Font. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Sawe. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

Iagazzo. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

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This article is also published on The Huffington Post.