On Barcelona Time
by Marcy Wielfaert
Title
On Barcelona Time
Artist
Marcy Wielfaert
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Las Arenas de Barcelona bullring was inaugurated in 1900 and was the second of 3 bullfighting rings built in Barcelona. Designed by Catalan architect August Font i Carreras, the plaza had a capacity for nearly 15,000 spectators. During the 1970s, as bullfighting became less popular, the arena faced declining attendance and finally closed in 1977. In 1999, the structure was purchased by the company Sacresa who gave British architect Richard Rogers the task of converting it into a shopping center and entertainment complex.
The project took 8 years to complete and opened it’s doors to the public in 2011. Rogers’ ambitious design maintains the original Neo-Mudéjar façade, now topped by a 27m high dome and circular roof terrace. For most visitors, however, the shopping center’s most interesting feature is the view from the roof. There are fantastic views of the city from every side, and you literally can see for miles. This clock, on the side of a high rise office building very close by, caught my attention with it's contrasts, patterns, and textures. It also reminds me of exactly what I was doing at 5:54 on a perfect May evening in Barcelona!
Uploaded
April 14th, 2020
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