All posts tagged: Valiente Creations

“Torre Marti”, a Summer Country House Turned Market by Artists in Polinyà, Spain

“Torre Marti”, a Summer Country House Turned Market by Artists in Polinyà, Spain

Today we go to Polinyà, about 45 km from Barcelona, Spain, to visit the site of a historic summer country house.  Built during the 1900s, “within the so-called Catalan modernism,” says Lluis Olive, the home was inhabited by the Marti family in this municipality of 8,389 until about 10 years ago when it became a restaurant. According to a description in Wikipedia, “The façades have, within Italianate lines, symmetry and consistency in the design of openings and moldings used for framing balconies and windows at the top.”

Unfortunately, the restaurant venture didn’t succeed for long and the property became empty. You KNOW what happens next in this story. However, you may not guess that the artist Fullet Original hoped to help find a new buyer by filling all the rooms of the house with graffiti and mural art.

Zudi. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

According to Olive, who shares his photos with BSA readers here today, Fullet carried “out a project that he had dreamed of many times.” His friend has purchased the property, plans to hold an alternative market in it, and “last weekend about 15 artists were painting practically all of the spaces,” says Olive. The rooms were flooded with light and aerosol and lively conversation as the former farmhouse came alive in January with so many artists and friends.

The cross-section of styles are indicative of tastes of the moment in Spain and should be finished within a week or two. Which is good timing because “the opening of the market is scheduled for March.”

Zudi. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Monique. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Monique. Detail. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Juanjo Surace. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Akore. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Valiente. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Work in progress. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original with Werens. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Fullet Original. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Atila. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Emak. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Emak. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Pibe. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Pibe. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Werens. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Reb. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
SM172. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Mesink. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Tage 53. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Tage 53. Work in progress. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Tage 53. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Dirty. Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Torre Martí. Polinyà, Catalonia. Spain. (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Read more
“Muralitos” in Barcelona: A Weekend Paint Jam With Friends

“Muralitos” in Barcelona: A Weekend Paint Jam With Friends

The springtime wall jams have begun! And random Saturdays or Sundays are usually perfect days to schedule an event in many cities – since most people have time off during that time, depending on their work schedule. If an artist is lucky enough to have a job these days…

An informally organized event like this provides an opportunity to explore and create alongside peers, converse and discuss ideas and techniques, and hang out with visitors who stop by saying hello.

Lidia Martinez. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Lidia Martinez. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)

“We thought it was a good idea that we could notify each time any of us was going to paint,” says Spanish artist Jaume Montserrat, “in case someone else wanted to accompany them and have a good time doing what we like so much.”

He says he and his buddies have a WhatsApp group to keep each other apprised of their street art and mural projects. For this particular Sunday a couple of weeks ago, it was as simple as reaching out via text to fellow artist Núria Farré, he tells us.

Pablo Navas. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Pablo Navas. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Laia Mas)

“I wrote to her asking if she would like to do it on one of Wallspot’s legal walls, and when we found a date that suited us, we decided to invite some friends.”

BSA contributor and photographer Fer Acala was there in Barcelona to capture the action and the art, and we’re pleased to share his shots of the artists at work and the days’ activities.

Núria Farré. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Núria Farré. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Núria Farré. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Juanjo Sáez. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Juanjo Sáez. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Juanjo Sáez. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
The artists with Juanjo Sáez mural in the background. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Antón G. Seoane. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Antón G. Seoane. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Antón G. Seoane. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Antón G. Seoane. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Senyoerre)
Sigrid Amores. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Sigrid Amores. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Sigrid Amores. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Maria Cuellar & Rabassa. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Maria Cuellar & Rabassa. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Jaume Montserrat)
Valiente Creations. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Valiente Creations. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Valiente Creations. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Valiente Creations. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Jaume Montserrat. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Jaume Montserrat. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
Jaume Montserrat & Valiente Creations. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)
The happy artists doing what they love to do most. Muralitos in Barcelona. (photo © Fer Alcala)

Our thanks to Fer Alcala for sharing his excellent photos with us and BSA readers.
Artists include:
Irene Valiente (@valiente_creations)
Sigrid Amores (@sigridamores)
Pablo Navas (@pabl0navas)
Antón G, Seoane (@antonseoane)
Juanjo Sáez (@juanjo_saez)
Núrria Farré (@nuriafarreabejon)
Maria Cuellar (@mariacuellar.m)
Lidia Martinez (@lidia.mpakkete)
Rabassa (@israbassa)
Jaume Montserrat (@jaumemontserrat)

Read more
A Mural Jam and Censorship: Fighting for Freedom Of Expression In Barcelona – Part II

A Mural Jam and Censorship: Fighting for Freedom Of Expression In Barcelona – Part II

It is notable when an organized gang of aerosol-wielding vandals protests your protest against censorship with censorship.

It’s also odious.

Everyone knows that it is normal for graffiti writers and street artists to expect that their ephemeral work may be buffed by a municipality or crossed out by a rival painter. This is a different matter entirely.

This is our 2nd time to bring you this story from a paint jam in Barcelona’s Plaza de las Tres Chimeneas where a collection of artists gathered to paint works addressing what they see as an unjust attack on the freedom of a citizen to express opinions in lyrics and writings. Taken together, these works are a passionate rejection of censorship and a colorful act of free speech by a community.

It made international news last month when Pablo Hasel, a Spanish rapper/singer/artist/musician from this city, was imprisoned under a Supreme Court ruling, which found his lyrics about King Emeritus Juan Carlos De Borbon to be offensive.

Roc Blackblock. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)

Artist Roc Blackblock was surrounded by a tight semi-circle of scrutinizing journalists and citizens as he painted. This was his second mural since his first had been immediately censored and ordered removed at the action in mid-February by an NCNeta brigade who a Barcelona Urban Guard escorted. He didn’t appear to mind the pressure.

Roc Blackblock. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Roc Blackblock. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)

Because there have been demonstrations in various cities and because modern media drools over scenes of destruction and violence, it’s easy to forget the many peaceful artists who paint their opinions, says documentary photographer Fernando Alcalá, who shares his work here.

“I think it’s important to keep speaking about the artistic actions when, after days of riots and looting, the media has forgotten about freedom of speech, and they just talk about burnt trash cans,” he says.

We’re happy that he captured these before they were destroyed by ‘Union de Brigadas,’ who recorded their censorious actions proudly and shared them on Twitter and YouTube.

Roc Blackblock. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Roc Blackblock with Jaume Montserrat piece on the right. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Jaume Montserrat. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Jaume Montserrat. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Roc Blackblock. Nau Bostik. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Roc Blackblock. Nau Bostik. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Roc Blackblock. Nau Bostik. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Bravopintor. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
La Castillo. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)

I think it’s important to keep speaking about the artistic actions when, after days of riots and looting, the media has forgotten about freedom of speech and they just talk about burnt trash cans.”

~Fernando Alcalá

A paramilitaristic homage to the Beatles Abbey Road. La Castillo. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Edjinn. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Juanjo Surace. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Juanjo Surace. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Dazo & Mus. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Dazo & Mus. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Valiente Creations. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Valiente Creations. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Sigrid Amores, Tres Voltes Rebel, ARTEPORVO, and Elna Or. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Sigrid Amores, Tres Voltes Rebel, ARTEPORVO, and Elna Or. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Sigrid Amores, Tres Voltes Rebel, ARTEPORVO, and Elna Or. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Martz. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)
Martz. Parque de las Tres Chimeneas. Barcelona, Spain. (photo © Fer Alcalá)

See our other articles on this topic:

A Mural Jam and Censorship: Fighting for Freedom Of Expression In Barcelona – Part I

A Mural Jam and Censorship: Fighting for Freedom Of Expression In Barcelona – Part III

Read more
Spanish “El Konvent” Welcomes Street Artists and Nurtures Collective Culture

Spanish “El Konvent” Welcomes Street Artists and Nurtures Collective Culture

Typically you may expect to be praying the novena and asking God for absolution of your dastardly sins here in this sprawling compound called The Konvent near Barcelona. While no one would stop you today, you may also wish to check out a number of new installations throughout the many buildings by Street Artists.

Teo Vazquez (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

The Roman Catholic former convent hosted 50 or so artists over the last couple of years to transform the space, perhaps to reinterpret its original charge in a modern light, perhaps just to ready the compound for commercial, cultural, and community pursuits of the owners.

Certainly the decaying spaces and austere aesthetic is inviting, calming, possibly frightening, depending on your associations. Now they are home for music, dance, theatre, film festivals, and artist residencies – often offered only in Catalan but some also in European Spanish.

Teo Vazquez (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)

As you walk through the spaces you are welcomed by these works by artists, many of them at one time or another categorized as Street Artists, whose voices now usher in a new era of contemplation and perhaps internal exploration.

Our thanks to photogapher and BSA contributor Lluis Olive Bulbena for sharing these images from El Konvent.

For more information about El Konvent please Click HERE

Jofre Oliveras (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Unidentified artist (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Samuel Aranda Studio (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
AEC – Interesni Kazki (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Valiente Creations (photo © Lluis Olive)
Holy Era (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Wedo . Slim (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Wedo (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Slim (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Slim (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Slim (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Mugraff (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Troy Lovegates (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Troy Lovegates (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Juanjo Surace (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Simon Vazquez . Sebastien Waknine (photo © Lluis Olive Bulbena)
Read more
BSA Film Friday 04.13.18

BSA Film Friday 04.13.18

bsa-film-friday-JAN-2015

Our weekly focus on the moving image and art in the streets. And other oddities.

Now screening :
1. Street Atelier – Rocco and his Brothers
2. Sam3 and His Troupe of Dancing Statues Pump Up the Jam
3. Valiente Creations – 12 + 1
4. Sue 975 – 12 +1

bsa-film-friday-special-feature

BSA Special Feature: Street Atelier – Rocco and his Brothers

It’s an Italian movie directed by Luchino Visconti in 1960, yes. It is also the name of a crew of Berlin graffiti/installation artists whose satirical interventions play on issues propriety and property – and on social experiments that dupe the media, the public, and banks.

Did they really set up an apartment inside the subway? Is that really the tracks and wall of a metro inside a gallery? Is that Wagner playing in the mobile war arcade set up in the Christmas market? Are those hand grenades being lobbed by children? Is the bank facade blinking red every 20 seconds?

Rocco und seine Brüder (Rocco and His Brothers) have you engaged. Now you have to answer the questions.

Shout out to Red Tower Films for the great storytelling.

Sam3 and His Troupe of Dancing Statues Pump Up the Jam

It’s Friday after all. Get up and dance! Aren’t they marbleous?

Two in a Row from the 12 + 1 Project in Barcelona

1. Valiente Creations – 12 + 1 Sant Feliu. Barcelona. Contorno Urbano Foundation

 

2 . Sue975. Contorno Urbano Foundation. 12 + 1 Project. Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

Read more
Irene Valiente at Contorno Urbano 12 + 1 in Sant Feliu de Llobregat

Irene Valiente at Contorno Urbano 12 + 1 in Sant Feliu de Llobregat

VALIENTE CREATIONS launches the 12+1 project in Sant Feliu – Proyect 12+1, urban art in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

A teacher of drawing from Barcelona, Irene Valiente loves organic forms, especially those of an aquatic nature. So it makes sense that she dove right in to her mural for the 2018 premier of the 12+1 Project here in Sant Feliu this month.

Irene Valiente. Fundación Contorno Urbano. 12 + 1 Project. Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Barcelona. 01.18 (photo © Clara Antón)

Here are just a couple of new photos from her wall that interprets the amorphous shapes of the nearby swimming pool at the Sant Feliu Swimming Club. The formal painter is normally working on canvasses for exhibition in the gallery when not creating new murals on her city’s streets and she calls this one “Nare”, owing the Latin derivation of fleet.

Check out more of her work HERE.

Irene Valiente. Fundación Contorno Urbano. 12 + 1 Project. Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Barcelona. 01.18 (photo © Clara Antón)

Read more