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Last posts

Cevahir Mall – The Largest in Europe

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

The Cevahir Shopping Centre in Istanbul is the largest one in Europe. The constructed area is nearly 108 acres and currently there are 343 shops, spread over 6 floors. And don’t think that shopping is all it has to offer. There are also 48 restaurants, a cinema complex and a covered theme park called Atlantis. Pretty amazing huh? It’s ranked as the 6th largest shopping centre in the world. The number one is occupied by the South China Mall. In theory. Besides fancy decorations such as a 25 meter high replica of the Arc the Triumph and a 2km long Venetian canal with gondolas, it also has space for 2350 shops. Again, in theory. Because 5 years after its grand opening, more than 99% of the space is still empty. The few employees they have are sleeping their way through the day. It is basically a desolate piece of concrete. The second biggest is again a Chinese mall, the Beijing Golden resources. Although this one actually has stores, it’s far from the centre and it doesn’t attract many customers. Number 3 is the Mall of Asia (Philippines). But what really made us go wild is the Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates. With 1200 shops it will be hard to stick to just window shopping. For a strong Turkish coffee you can stop by one of the 38 bars and coffee shops, and even if you are a picky eater I’m sure you’ll find something you like in one of the 82 restaurants. And if you still have energy after all of that, you could grab a movie... read more

Retrospective: Mariano Fortuny at the Pedrera

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

One of the great innovators of early twentieth century fashion and design, Mariano Fortuny is perhaps best known for his inventions in the world of textiles and innovations in the field of theatrical lighting, however during the course of his career he embarked upon many different artistic genres: photography, printing, industrial design, fashion and painting. A retrospective of this multifaceted artist and designer will be open until the 27th of June at the impressive Gaudi building the Pedrera in Barcelona’s Eixample district. The exhibit is composed of 11 sections to give you a chance to examine his aesthetic in all of its physical manifestations, and the Pedrera provides the perfect backdrop for his modern and varied work. Fortuny was born in Granada in 1871 and died in Venice in 1949. His father, also an artist, died when he was very young, and after his death his mother moved the family to Paris, and later to Venice. Fortuny began his artistic career as a painter, working with the Wagnerian theme of the total art object during this early period. As a set designer, he created a system of lights which was patented and used in theatres throughout Europe, and also designed other lamps whose designs are still being manufactured today. His interest in theatre eventually led him to fashion, although not to “fashion, merciless circus of throwaway trends” that we often think of as fashion. His work went beyond fashion, looking for something purer and more classic which sought to revindicate the female body and embellish its natural state without adding anti-natural or unhealthy accessories like the repressive corset. Perhaps... read more

International Festival in Vienna

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

Spring is a very special time in Vienna, and not just because a balmy breeze begins to blow across the city. May marks the start of the month-long Vienna International Festival, which presents theatre, music and dance productions from around the world. Created to re-establish Vienna as a major cultural capital after World War II, this festival has brought world renowned performing artists to the city since 1951. An important aspect of the Vienna International Festival is the Vienna International Music Festival. From 9 May to 21 June the Vienna Konzerthaus will present 68 events. This year’s featured composers are Joseph Haydn and Franz Schubert, chosen to follow the motto “elites”. The Vienna Konzerthaus is undoubtedly one of the best in world, and is especially unique in that it hosts a variety of concerts, programming, jazz, new music, world and classical during the course of the year. As part of the international Music Festival, there will be concerts by diverse artists and groups such as Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, Angélique Kidjo «Oyo», John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension and the John Scofield Jazz Quartet. Haydn, one of Austria’s best known and loved classical composers, sought to express the sublime though his music. Haydn’s works will be performed on 22 occasions, starting with event’s inauguration with a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic under Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Guest performers and conductors include Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, the Vienna Symphonic and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Other classical music concerts include Schubert’s three major song cycles “Die Schöne Müllerin”, “Winter Journey” and “Swan Song.” For more... read more