madrid, spain: art + architecture

Things I did in Madrid:

Walked the entire city and enjoyed the phenomenal, archaic and beautiful architecture

Ate tapas and drank sangria at El Mercado de San Miguel

Visited El Museo Nacional del Prado and observed 15-19th century art

Took a nap in Parque del Retiro

Rocked in a chair in el Palacio de Cristal

And I suggest that you do all of these things :)

Love,

JaKenna

figueres, spain: salvador dali museum

My older brother, Thomas, first introduced me to Salvador Dali when I was 12. He had a book of Dali's work in his room and I would sit and stare at the surrealism in front of me. Beautiful, creepy, multi-dimensional, grotesque, completely enthralling and addicting. His work has always stayed with me. In college, instead of the usual dorm room adornments, I had Hallucinogenic Torreador, Swans Reflecting Elephants, Meditative Rose and Galatea of the Spheres framed and hanging on my walls. I once had a very peculiar evening with one of his paintings that only my closest friends are privy to... And I intend to keep it that way (insert mischievous smile here).
I jumped at the opportunity to visit his home town in Figueres, Spain, where he built the world's most intense surrealist museum. Seeing his work first hand reminded of those moments in my brother's room when I was young. As if I was seeing it all for the first time again. The more I lost myself in his work, the more I would discover. Doors within doors within doors and levels within levels within levels. At times, I'd have it figured it out, or so I thought, until I saw something completely new when looking through my camera lens.
It's an incredible moment of discovery when you realize there is so much more to discover. Endless. In a way, this entire trip seems that way. As if there are endless doors and adventures to discover. And the beautiful part is, there are.
Love,
JaKenna

barcelona, spain: antoni gaudi + sagrada familia

There are many questions running through your mind when you see the Sagrada Familia for the first time. Where am I? What kind of Alice in Wonderland hole have I tumbled down? What is this place? And these questions are all valid. And completely sane.
This basilica is unlike any place I've visited. Ever. The Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi, defined his aesthetic by blending nature with structure and pure wonder. Doesn't it look like you're walking through a forest in those images? The columns, with branches stemming into the ceiling and boasting stunning bejeweled knots in their stone bark, stand tall and are anything but imposing. Rather, they simply welcome you into their forest with the right balance of natural and colorful light bouncing through the stained glass windows.
The outside facades greet you. One side, a full recreation of the nativity, life and death of Jesus. The other facade, appears gothic and frightening, but is actually representing a celebration of his life. Those of you who know me well know that I do not subscribe to a religion, but it's hard to deny the beauty in its story telling.
Every inch is a symbol and has meaning. All there's left to do is stand and gaze in awe and wonder. And maybe start drawing.
Love,
JaKenna