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Last posts

Everyday Life in the 70’s – An Exhibition in Seville

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

I was crazy about that ‘70’s show. Hyde was my favorite character, with his eternal sunglasses and sideburns. The show talked about everyday life of a bunch of teenagers in the seventies. About how badly Eric wanted a cassette player, about going to the drive-in movies, the fight Donna had to put up to get the birth control pill, the time when all the boys were obsessed with Star Wars and of course baking brownies with marihuana. Of course it’s only a TV show. You want to know how life really was in the seventies? Then you should definitely pay a visit to the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC). They present the exhibition “The 70’s” (until 25th of April 2010), with photos from Karen Knorr, Laurie Anderson, Ed van der Elsken and David Goldblatt among others. Look how the society changed and how the invention of things like calculators, Polaroid cameras and microwaves had an impact on people’s life. And don’t forget all the crazy new food: cocktail wieners, baby corn, meat on a stick,… Gaze at the classic hairstyles, the hideous wall paper and old skool furniture. This exhibition really shows the emerging of a new generation. 5 Reason’s why it was GREAT to live in the seventies: 1. You could go see movies like ‘Jaws’ (and be impressed with the special effects) and ‘Grease’ (and admire the way they dance). 2. You could rock with Led Zeppelin and cry with the Eagles. 3. You could play ‘pong’ for hours and hours. 4. You could wear jeans with flares, the sandals of your grandfather and a home-made... read more

Atelier Van Lieshout – AVL Exhibition in Vienna

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

AVL, artist’s collective whose interventions touch on art, design and architecture was founded by the Dutch artist Joep Van Lieshout, born 1963 in Raventein, Holland. Principally the group is known for its large scale portable sculpture designs. One of my favourite works is their “Wellness Skull” (2007), a giant skull made for rest and relaxation (see photo). The neck contains a small bathroom, and the head a sauna which releases vapour through the eyes when in use. Another of their famous skulls is called the “Sensory Deprivation Skull” (2007), constructed after careful study. It is built so as to take up a minimum of space, while allowing for sufficient space to relax. Here one can forget about all noise and bother from the outside world. The work “The Heads, Claudia & Hermann” (2005), consists of three giant hollow heads. Claudia is the feminine element of the triad, with dark hair and eyes Hermann, one of the masculine elements is blonde and blue-eyed, while the third head, Tom, has a dark complexion. The three heads together symbolize human diversity, and have been used in all manner of ways in different expos: as a bar, as kiosks or information points. Three other outstanding works by the collective include: “Bikini Bar” (2006) a female torso attired in bikini, which is an agreeable and curious place to get together and relax. “Bar Rectum” (2005), is a huge sculpture which mirrors the digestive system, and finishes in a giant anus. It begins with the tongue, passes through the stomach, small intestine and large intestine and finishes with the emergency exit: the anus. “Darwin” (2008),... read more

Introduction to Dynamic Meditation

Mónica Boixeda Parisian

Every Sunday at 19h on the nose a group of my friends get together in the apartment of S., a respected specialist in meditation who once lived in India. One day, I too sat upon the coloured blankets on the floor, inhaled the sweet smell of incense, heard the sound of silence and began to meditate. My friends had mentioned that it would be a good idea to wear something white as the colour represents purity. “And blue?” Certainly they said, it’s a symbol of peace. And brown? That’s okay too, as long as it’s a colour of something in the natural world. But you shouldn’t wear black because it doesn’t let the energy flow. So I arrived dressed in white from head to toe, like a bride without her prince. They also advised me that it was best to fast for at least three hours beforehand, because it could interfere with the meditation. I was very hungry afterwards; in fact, I had a craving for junk food. The day that I went, S. announced that we were entering in the ninth moon of the eagle, the animal that symbolizes perception and vision. They pinned coloured plaques to the wall, changed some up and tacked up black drawings. I didn’t understand anything but I heard the waves of meditation and began to relax, forgetting everything beyond the walls. Everyone was seated on the floor in silence and incense wafted through the air. Suddenly strange sounds could be heard, the dynamic meditation session had begun. Eyes closed and seated on the floor, I began to breathe through my stomach, not,... read more