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Last posts

DrapArt – the International recycling art festival 09

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

The Drap Art Festival in Barcelona may make think the lovers of art in the revolutionary concept of the artist Marcel Duchamp: the ready made. It said that art work is something that already exists, as an everyday object or material, but exposed so that it becomes a unique creation and loses its original functionality. From Dec. 18th to Jan. 10th, the Drap Art Festival proposes a similar approach to Duchamp: recycle materials to create art. It is an excellent way to sensitize the public about the importance of recycling and a fun way to make life an art. “What a person considers junk, others see as treasure” says Tanja Grass, the festival organizer. To give a second chance to those objects and materials rather than trash them, can be very profitable for some whose imagination and creativity is inspired by anything. The creation power might do some jewellery from spoons and forks with amazing results! It may seem odd to call an art work a creation made from plastic or bottles when some crafts for children are very similar. But there is a big difference between a child handcraft and an art work: the intention that the artist puts into its project, the concept behind it. The metamorphosis of the insignificant into something desirable is really powerful. If you want to be surprised thanks to what the hands of some creative people can do, come to the DrapArt Festival. It promotes the creative recycling from 13 years ago. And the artists and visitors are increasingly numerous. During these two weeks, there will be several interactive activities: recycling workshops... read more

Are you sedentary or an adventurer?

Mónica Boixeda Berliner

“Travel” is one of the most searched words on Google. And no wonder, because, who does not like travelling? Now you imagine you are in a paradisiacal place, with an idyllic climate, other people and a different culture… Whether in 80 days like Jules Verne, on an Erasmus student exchange, on holidays, in exile or as an immigrant, travel always means the same: discover, share, learn, observe, adapt, imagine…and maybe come back. Travelling inspires everyone, so there are thousands of novels, songs and movies about it: it is often compared to life itself. Surely you must have been attracted by a strange land which you want to explore more than anything…do not forget your dreams! First, the idea arises because you see someone that has travelled solo to India. You would also like to live a similar experience! Suddenly, one day you think it is the right time because you feel ready and you are hungry for new adventures. There are many motives to encourage a person to go on an adventure: you may need to change your ideas, find yourself, learn a new language or even help your family. There are people who plan a cultural trip, or maybe an ecological, a religious or a luxurious trip to a warm or a cold country or to Disneyland with the kids, etc. The United States, Canada, UK, France and in the fifth place, Spain are the favourite countries to emigrate to. If you are going to Asia, be careful with the seasons and the climate. Whether by plane, boat, car, train, motorcycle or bicycle, you must organize your trip... read more

How to beat the stress of exams

Mónica Boixeda Roman

For many of you, December means cold, holidays and family. For others, this word is synonymous with something very different: stress, study or exams. On December, many people become library rats, bookworms, hungry for pizza and photocopies. They are the eternal students. To achieve their goals, they are prepared to practice the worst habits, even when they know what is desirable and healthy to be effective and to be relaxed. Cortisol (the so-called hormone of stress) alters everything, and it can even destroy a lot of neurons. If you don’t want December to become a nightmare, take notes of these tips and surely everything will be fine. Trust yourself and preserve your passion, you´re not alone on this adventure! And remember, nothing is impossible. How many students know the recipe to avoid going crazy when they prepare for exams? And how many do the complete opposite because they say they cannot stand it? The Cortisol hormone is the culprit of so much fear and whose true function is to send glucose to the blood and to send quantities of energy to the muscles. It is assumed that its effect is positive, but faced with a situation of prolonged fear, and being the unique supplier of glucose, the hormone tries to melt everywhere, destroying tissues, muscle proteins and fatty acids. Because of that the students go totally crazy when they have got exams. Others prefer to become guinea pigs for the many pharmaceutical companies. They take tablets to regulate their sleep, a second one for concentration and yet another to have more energy: a cocktail of pills to improve their... read more