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Last posts

Russian Architecture 1915-1935 at CaixaForum Barcelona

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian, Only-Be

Until the 15th of April, the CaixaForum in Barcelona is showing an interesting exhibition about the architecture and vanguard art of the Soviet Union between 1915 – 1935. The show is made up of 250 photographs, drawings and models which belong to Moscow´s Schusev State Museum of Architecture, and the Costakis collection from The Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art. This exciting new exhibition focuses on a period of major urban and architectural development in the ex-Soviet Union. The era starts with the arrival of Stalinism – a time of high political contention and violence, but also of economic growth, and the birth of the ideals of proletarian revolution, which sought to break with the chains of oppression and global poverty. During this period of growth, the Soviet cities were redesigned according to a political project of transforming the once agrarian society into an industrial one. Huge central buildings of power sprung up, as well as wide avenues, and the Moscow underground. The architecture, which was heavily influenced by the harsh lines of constructivism and rationalism, was designed to reflect the strength and rectitude of Social Realism, and became the hallmark of the time. Constructivism was born in the Soviet Union with the October Revolution, which sparked the belief in a new, utopian society, where art and politics combine for an ideal society. So it was that Kasimir Malevich coined the term constructivism to describe the work of architect Alexander Rodchenko. It was a conceptualisation of art as a service for the revolution; the aesthetic of architecture was based on a massive social objective whereby the imagination of an... read more

Diamanda Galas concert in Lisbon

Mónica Boixeda Lisboeta, Only-Be

This is one of those concerts you have to go to at least once in your life – and I´m sure that anybody who has already had the pleasure of the experience would agree with me. As well as being an undisputed music diva, Diamanda Galás is an artist like no-one else, and her three and a half octaves of voice, and power of musical interpretation are just two of the reasons not to miss out on this show. The career of the American-Greek singer kicked off officially in the beginning of the 80s. Her extraordinary voice, which she describes herself as “capable of the most terrifying sounds,” has taken her down a number of musical paths – from Jazz, to rock, via opera, blues, etc. All of these styles get the treatment of her unique voice – and the drama, groans and shouts which have become characteristic of her identity as a vocalist. Throughout her extensive career Diamanda has never ceased to amaze, with her particular way of feeling the music, the themes which many have described as dark – and her humanitarian work, which is where her latest show comes in. In Leiria on the 16th of April, she will perform “The Refugee,” a work inspired by the Turkish genocide of the Greek village in 1922 – as well as her interpretation of “O Prosfigas,” a song about the exile from the village of Smyrna. The concert in Leiria, which is an “introduction” the town´s “Entremuralhas” festival in July, is on 16th of April at 9.30pm at the José Lúcio Da Silva theatre. Tickets are 25 euros.... read more

The Go! Team in Barcelona

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian, Only-Be

The Go! Team never ceases to amaze. With a sound that ranges from post punk, funk, ska and noise guitar, the combination they put on stage is so highly energetic that you forget you´re standing still, and without realizing, you fleet. The sextet formed in Brighton, UK, is one of the favorite bands of all those “intense” kids who do not miss any festival, you know who I mean. Rolling Blackouts is their latest album. Under what genre should we label this new piece? Ranging from shoegaze to the sounds of epic trumpets in the style of blackexplotation films of the 70´s. The theme “Rolling Blackouts” is an ode to My Bloody Valentine that has no limits; it’s the most beautiful one. “Back light 8 track” is a hymn to a boxing movie of the 70´s, with little cries and voices of a super pop style. Of course there is no shortage of necessary samplers. “Secretary song” is another mash-up of 60´s pop and dreampop choirs. “T.O.R.N.A.D.O” is the most rap style one. Perhaps what best describes bands like The Go! Team is the postmodern effort to condense in the most obvious way all sound spaces where they come from. That is to say, it´s a proof of our time, they make clear the origin of each song and style, it is like having a display ready to be heard with no greater desire than entertainment. I stop and compare the phenomenon with all interpretations of tracks from blues, rockabilly and beat that multiple bands, in all continents of the world performed between the 50´s and 60´s. See for... read more