Taking IB art students to Barcelona.

Last year I submitted a proposal to take IB visual art students to Barcelona as a way to supplement their learning in the classroom. The idea is to immerse students in a setting that will stimulate their thinking and creativity. The principals were supportive of the idea and I spent the next several months solidifying the itinerary. The outcome was better than anticipated. Everything went smoothly from the flight to navigating the city and beyond. The students hit the pavement running and really embraced the experience. 

There are several behind the scenes individuals to thank for making the magic happen: Principal Redmond (and Joyce) for the green light, Nate and Mick in the Athletic Department for doing all the paperwork like visas and such, the other chaperone-Ms. Blue Waters, Ana was supportive about spending our break with 5 students (Call it training in raising teenagers) and helped out a little here and there and even our friend Monica tagged along for a couple of our outings. Below is the evidence. 

We arrived in the late afternoon. After dropping our bags off at the apartment, we made a quick exit to the Gothic Quarter for a walking tour. It was by chance we found a gastronomic festival in front of The Cathedral, though the kids called it the "bread festival" due to all of the loaves of artisan bread they consumed. 

One of the stops on the walking tour was a school bombed by the fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Note the pockmarks on the wall.  

We visited La Sagrada Familia the following morning. 

The students were in awe of Gaudi's vision. 

Students had mixed feelings and reactions on deciding if they preferred the aesthetics of La Sagrada Familia or The Cathedral from the previous evening.

We decided to walk back to our apartment via local neighborhoods. Good thing we did as we encountered a street fair with lots of food, vendors, and activities.

This looked like fun. 

"Ara es l'hora" The rallying cry for the Catalan separatist movement that marched in front of our apartment.

Since almost everything was closed on Sunday, the beach sounded like a way to spend a late afternoon. 

At the metro.

A dose of Flamenco culture was needed.

At the bottom of Ramblas. 

The  Palau Robert has several nice exhibits.

 The Suñol Foundation was kind enough to give us a tour of their most recent exhibit: Perfect Lovers.

One of best ways to see is a city is on a bike. Several students stated biking was their favorite part of the trip. 

Riding along the beach provided ample opportunities to throw a frisbee around and do some climbing. 

Bikes can also take you through alleys.  

Agbar Tower near Glories. The surrounding buildings make the area an architectural hotbed, a must see for aspiring architects.  

Mercat Del Encants in Plaça de les Glories Catalanes has mirrored ceilings and is basically like what you would call a swap meet, flea market in the states.  

Installation street art. 

One day was dedicated to Figueres in the north-about a hour via the fast train. The Dali Museum is located there and it was the perfect opportunity to get out of Barcelona and experience the Costa Brava. 

The museum has several floors and much to see keeping visitors engaged.

The Catalonia Toy Museum down the street from the Dali Museum has a decent collection of creepy dolls. 

A thirty-minute bus ride from Figueres will take you to the quaint beach town of Roses.


Ciutadella of Roses is worth a peek.

They might not let you take photographs inside the Picasso Museum, but they will in the gift shop. One of our student's unintentionally wore her own Picasso shirt. 

The Frederic Mares Museum houses the collection of one man who one student stated: "Mr. Bob, did he have OCD?" 

MACBA also provided us with a nice tour. Giant stuffed bear Art. 

Political Art.

One room had an interesting video that engaged our students in a lengthy discussion about beauty. 

Ms. Laura made us a delicious soup one evening. 

Hangout out with my homies at the Catalonian National Museum.

Home decoration ideas.

Who remembers this scene from the bible?

I can get into these type of religious paintings.

I got busted taking pictures at the Caixaforum. Note the guide telling me "No Photos!"

Someone near our apartment was a little disgruntled with her or his bank's ATM.

Our last supper. 

Hello Dali Museum, Toy Museum and Roses, Sapin

This will be a pretty basic post with photos of fun stuff like art and creepy Catalonian dolls. I did this trek alone as Ana was back in Addis working. I was on a fact finding mission to test out the logistics of bringing my IB art students here next school year. What could be more impressive for an art student than a trip to the home of one of the most significant artists of the 20th century and a cool toy museum.    

Dali never left the building.

Lot's of schools and kids roaming around the joint.

Ground view.

Ladder view.

If the Dali Museum didn't quite do the trick, then the Toy Museum might be a better option. 

Making this when we have kids. 

Hey Jimmy, wanna come over and play church?

Indoctrination though play. Not quit the Fisher Price farm set we all know and love. 

How serial killers are made.

Come here precious. 

Did you grow-up with the saw off the arm doll set? Sure there was the game Operation, but this touches on an entirely different skill level. Should the head be darker? 

The person that played with these probably developed a lifestyle of drawing pentagrams on walls with goat blood.

Not Hello Kitty.

Hum, do I want the church play set or the possessed dolls.

Rosemary's Baby play set, holy water included.

A little lighter.

If Henry Darger designed toy covers

This would keep me busy for hours.

Intentional?

Bear gonna cap yer ass. Shotgun Wedding Bear play set.

Tortured Bear action figure. This might give you ideas if you're into DBSM (bondage and discipline with sadomasochism).

The traveler action figure.

Roses looked like a nice place on the map for a short excursion. 

Lighthouse and castles, sure.

Fish lawn ornament, yes please. 

The town's center did have a Spanish Civil War Memorial sculpture.

Ciutadella of Roses is worth a peek.

And a nice way to burn an afternoon during siesta hours.

I was the only person there.

The Ciutadella had been inhabited by Greeks, Romans, monks, and hosts a bomb shelter dating back to the Spanish Civil War.