Santa Trinita cormorant

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Cormorant on the Arno
Ponte di Santa Trinita
Florence, December 2022

“Outside the breeding season, it frequents a wide range of wetlands as long as they are rich in fish and the water level is not too low. Their basic diet consists of various species of fish they catch during the day by diving up to 10 metres deep. Until about ten years ago, Cormorants could sometimes be observed in inland Tuscany. Today the species regularly over-winters along the River Arno Basin and over a hundred individuals daily use the Fucecchio Marshes Nature Reserve as their feeding ground. Over the last few years, the species has begun to nest again in Peninsular Italy and since 2009 has been breeding at Fucecchio Marshes.” (Cormorant, Zone Umide Toscane)

La Farola de Málaga

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La Farola de Málaga
Paseo de la Farola
Málaga, September 2023

“La Farola, besides being one of the two Spanish lighthouses having a feminine name, is a recurring element in Málaga's iconography. Much loved by the city's inhabitants, they started building it in the 19th century and it was finished in 1816, in the time of Ferdinand VII (1784 – 1833). It has undergone several renovations during its history. The first was after the damage caused by the 1884 earthquake. Improvement work was undertaken in 1885 and a new device fitted to improve the light that guided seamen at night. The lighthouse keeper's house was enlarged in 1909. During the Civil War, although orders were given to turn off the light and paint the building to make it more difficult to see, it was damaged and needed repairing. It can be found on the promenade of the same name, in the Malagueta district between the Port of Málaga and Paseo Marítimo Ciudad de Melilla. The expansion of the port and the transformation of Muelle Uno (Pier One) are two reasons not to miss this interesting tourist location.” (La Farola, Visita Málaga)

Fortuna

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“Fortuna” by Helaine Blumenfeld, 2016
Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf
London, May 2023

“It was a great challenge to create a monumental public sculpture like Fortuna. Helaine wanted it to really connect with the large number of people who visit Jubilee Park every day. She wanted Fortuna to say something about the human condition: turbulence, commitment, fragility, hope, inner strength, joy dependency, continuity and, above all, beauty. Helaine was delighted to see that people quickly identified the space by the sculpture – using it as a location for meeting up or for sharing picnics.” (Fortuna, Canary Wharf)

Piazza di San Pancrazio

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Façade of the church of San Pancrazio
Now Museo Marino Marini (Marino Marini Museum)
Piazza di San Pancrazio
Florence, December 2022

“San Pancrazio is a church in Florence, Italy, in Piazza San Pancrazio, behind Palazzo Rucellai. With the exception of the Rucellai Chapel, it is deconsecrated and is home to the museum dedicated to the sculptor Marino Marini. The Rucellai Chapel contains the Rucellai Sepulchre or Tempietto del Santo Sepolcro. Since February 2013 it has been possible to visit the chapel from within the Marini museum.” (San Pancrazio, Wikipedia)

El instante preciso

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“El instante preciso” by Ramiro Megías, 2002
(from a drawing by Guillermo Pérez Villalta)
Ayuntamiento de Granada
Plaza del Carmen
Granada, September 2023

“‘El Instante Preciso’ (The Precise Instant) is a curious equestrian sculpture that represents a horse. It walks on three of its legs that rest on three golden spheres, while its tail waves in the wind. Mounted on its rump is a naked and blindfolded rider, with his left hand holding the reins, while with his right, he holds a fourth golden sphere. The work, made of patinated and polished bronze, is the idea of ??the artist from Tarifa, Guillermo Pérez Villalta. According to its author, it represents happiness, the triumphant, perfect, balanced moment; but, at the same time, also the fleeting moment, of which one is only aware when it has already passed and the blindfold falls off. Under the sculpture, there is a clock with a legend that gives us a clue: ‘Happy who sees his hours in golden present’.” (El instante preciso, Waymarking)

Venus

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“Venus” by Helaine Blumenfeld, 1993
Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf
London, May 2023

“Venus is an expression of a theme Helaine has been exploring throughout her career: Two Sides of a Woman. Essentially, it is a recognition of two different aspects of the female psyche — the side that is self-involved and self-sustaining and the side that depends upon outside influences. Every way you look at Venus you see another aspect of the figure’s character. From one side the woman is self-involved, feminine and maternal; as you go around the sculpture, just as the head thrusts back, you see an assertive warrior in power.” (Venus, Canary Wharf)

Quadrante astronomico

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Quadrante astronomico (Astronomical quadrant) by Ignazio Danti, 1575
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
Florence, December 2022

“For much of his time in Florence, Danti resided at the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and designed the quadrant and the armillary sphere that appear on the end blind arches of the lower facade of the church in 1572 and 1574, on the right and left respectively. He also designed a large-scale gnomon for the church which allowed a thin beam of light to enter the church at noon each day through a hole just beneath the facade's rose window, although it probably was not completed by the time Danti left Florence.” (Ignazio Danti, Wikipedia)

San Basilio 20

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Patio (Courtyard) by Juan Jiménez
Calle San Basilio
Córdoba, September 2023

“One of the main tourist attractions of Córdoba is its patios, a place of coexistence and center of family life. In them, history, light, water and vegetation dialogue in a unique environment. Since 1921, they have taken on a special role with the Cordovan Patios Festival, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. It is celebrated during the month of May, where the Cordovan patios are adorned with flowers and pots that hang from their walls, or They are placed on the cobbled pavement. And to complete the essence of these emblematic places, their caretakers decorate the rooms with antique furniture or kitchen utensils, among other details.” (La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba, Patios de Córdoba)

Perpetual Red

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“Perpetual Red” by Merete Rasmussen, 2015
Harbour Quay Gardens, Canary Wharf
London, May 2023

“Placed in the idyllic Harbour Quay Gardens, Rasmussen has created an alluring red surface that twists and flows, shifting between curves and sharp edges, through the convex and concave. The elegant sculpture creates wonderful shapes through the form itself as well as its negative space.” (Perpetual Red, Canary Wharf)

Sfera armillare

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Sfera armillare (Armillary sphere) by Ignazio Danti, 1575
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
Piazza di Santa Maria Novella
Florence, December 2022

“For much of his time in Florence, Danti resided at the convent of Santa Maria Novella, and designed the quadrant and the armillary sphere that appear on the end blind arches of the lower facade of the church in 1572 and 1574, on the right and left respectively. He also designed a large-scale gnomon for the church which allowed a thin beam of light to enter the church at noon each day through a hole just beneath the facade's rose window, although it probably was not completed by the time Danti left Florence.” (Ignazio Danti, Wikipedia)

Plaza de San Juan de Dios

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Plaza de San Juan de Dios
Casco Antiguo
Cádiz, September 2023

“The importance of the new cathedral means that Cádiz doesn’t exactly have a ‘main’ square as such, but it is hard to look past the Plaza de San Juan de Dios when it comes to a major meeting point in this social city. The commercial centre of the city since way back in the 16th century, the square opens out onto the harbour and the Atlantic and is home to a fascinating collection of buildings, among them the City Hall and a church that takes the same name as the square, that being the Church of San Juan de Dios. There is also a Burger King, if you’re after a weird juxtaposition of the old and new.” (Plaza de San Juan de Dios, In Your Pocket)

Peninsula Spire

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Peninsula Spire by by Barr Gazetas Architects, 2006
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“Barr Gazetas Architects' spire - which the practice claims is the UK's highest stainless-steel sculpture - has been erected at Greenwich Peninsula, creating a new riverside landmark for the capital. The twisted and tapering stainless-steel structure, dubbed The Peninsula Spire, is 45m high - taller than the Royal Albert Hall - and was co-designed by structural engineer WhitbyBird. The spire will be a permanent centrepiece for Peninsula Square, a public space being developed for a new business district at the Greenwich Peninsula. The 34-tonne sculpture was made in three pieces, the largest weighing 25 tonnes, and was built by Swiss craftsmen Tuchschmid. Its construction required the help of a Dutch luxury yacht builder due to the complex form of the steel plates. Peninsula Square will include cafes, shops and restaurants and a regular venue for special events and performances for visitors and office workers. Barr Gazetas' Alistair Barr said: 'Greenwich has led the world with innovative ideas in astronomy, navigation and precision engineering. This is a fantastic example of truly creative collaboration between architects, engineers and craftspeople to create an inspiring and unique work of art.'” (‘UK’s tallest steel sculpture’ erected in Greenwich, Architects’ Journal)

Tramvia di Firenze

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Tramvia di Firenze (Florence tramway network)
Piazza Unità Italiana
Florence, December 2022

“During the early 2000s, the Florence administration decided to restore the tram service. Works on the first line started in December 2005. Construction works were expected to last for 1,000 days, but eventually it took more than 1,800 days to complete the line. Line 1 started operation on 14 February 2010. The first part of Line 1, at Scandicci, was the first rail public transport service in the area. During the first 10 months of service, the total passenger served were 7 million, a result considered a success. On 16 July 2018 the line was extended from Florence Santa Maria Novella railway station to the current northern terminus, Careggi.” (Trams in Florence, Wikipedia)

Don Juan Tenorio

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Monument to Don Juan Tenorio by Nicomedes Díaz Piquero, 1974
Plaza de los Refinadores
Sevilla, September 2023

“It gets its name from the leather refiners that were in the area centuries ago, but now it is popular because it depicts one of the most famous characters in Spanish literature. It is situated between the Murillo Gardens, Santa Cruz neighbourhood and Puerta de la Carne. Don Juan Tenorio stands in the centre of Plaza de los Refinadores. The bronze life-size statue was made by Nicomedes Díaz Piquero (1974). Don Juan is wearing typical 17th century clothing.” (Monument to Don Juan Tenorio, Andalucía)

The O2

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The O2 entrance hall
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“Various buildings are housed within the dome structure including an arena, known as The O2 Arena, smaller venue Indigo at The O2, Hollywood Bowl, Cineworld, Sky Studios and an Entertainment Avenue consisting of various restaurants and bars. A new shopping outlet opened in 2018. Backstage there is also a VIP club lounge, operations rooms, a media centre with high definition facilities and a number of dressing rooms, as well as a VIP entrance/exit for performers. All the venues in the complex use the latest lighting, sound and security technology, including RFID smart card tagging of staff and VIP guests, and digitally managed sound. There are four computer server rooms to provide this technology. The complex is also covered by CCTV and security personnel. Arena visitors and their bags are screened with X-ray machines and metal detectors at the main entrance.” (The O2, Wikipedia)

Marble and mischio

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Marble and mischio horses
Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati
Piazza della Signoria
Florence, December 2022

“Ammannati's Neptune was unique because of its incredibly large scale and even though there were several Neptune fountains around Italy at the time, none of them had Neptune atop a horse-drawn chariot. The fountain was being built to celebrate the marriage of Francesco and Joanna, and the association of chariots with festivals and pageants could be the reason for Bandinelli's unusual incorporation of a horse-chariot. Because the fountain's scale was so large, it forced Ammannati to make some innovative choices when constructing his giant Neptune. Two of the horses were white marble, but the other two were made of mischio, a marble discovered near the Duke's excavation site in Seravezza. This new marble was a type of breccia and had a variety of colors including red, yellow and purple. Because this was a new medium, its qualities were unknown to sculptors at the time and the hard, brittle quality of the mischio made Ammannati's task even more difficult. Due to the brittle quality of mischio the columns of stone broke in transit, creating delays in the fountain's completion. Ammannati was finally able to carve the remainder of the horse and complete the fountain in 1574. The project was intended to be completed by 1565 for the celebration of Francesco de' Medici I and Joanna of Austria's wedding, but due to a myriad of delays in sourcing supplies for the fountain's completion, Ammannati was forced to come up with a temporary solution for the arrival of Johanna of Austria. Through the use of stucco and paint, Ammannati was able to create the illusion of a finished product. The combination of the Neptune as the subject matter and Ammannati's use of the duke's newly found stone (mischio) made the fountain symbolic of the duke's reign over the Mediterranean and the mountains.” (Fountain of Neptune, Wikipedia)

Centre Pompidou Málaga

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Centre Pompidou Málaga
Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux
Muelle Uno, Puerto de Málaga
Málaga, September 2023

“The city of Picasso's birth now plays host to the first branch of the Parisian institution outside France. Its permanent collection includes over 80 works by major artists such as Picasso, Miró, Bacon, Magritte, Frida Khalo and Giacometti. An outstanding invitation to explore the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. This branch of the Pompidou Centre will remain in Malaga for several years in the original El Cubo building, located in the heart of the city's port area overlooking the bay.Visitors will find a selection of works from the Pompidou Centre's collection, displayed in an area of 2,000 square metres. Five themes are covered in the tour: metamorphosis, the body in pieces, the political body, self portraits and the man without a face.” (Centre Pompidou Malaga, Spain.info)

The Optic Cloak

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The Optic Cloak by Conrad Shawcross, 2016
Blackwall Tunnel Approach, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“A fusion of art, architecture and technology. There’s art everywhere on Greenwich Peninsula, and as we emerge as a new swathe of London, we’re collaborating with pioneering artists, designers and architects to embed visionary work into the fabric of this neighbourhood. The latest piece we have commissioned is The Optic Cloak by Conrad Shawcross. Overlooking the Blackwall Tunnel Approach and marking the gateway to the Peninsula, it envelopes the future low carbon energy centre that will power the 15,000 new homes on the Peninsula. At 49 meters tall, 20 metres wide and 3 meters deep, the flue is a landmark to people of the Peninsula and beyond, delighting newcomers and surprising regular commuters as its surface shifts and changes appearance depending on the light and time of day.” (Optic Cloak by Conrad Shawcross, The Peninsulist)

Neptune from behind

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Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati
Piazza della Signoria
Florence, December 2022

“The Fountain of Neptune in Florence, Italy, (Fontana del Nettuno) is situated in the Piazza della Signoria (Signoria square), in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. The fountain was commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1559 to celebrate the marriage of Francesco de' Medici I to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria. Cosimo I de' Medici was the Duke of Florence from 1537-1569 and responsible for a vast number of architectural and artistic elements in Florence that still exist today. The fountain was designed by Baccio Bandinelli, but created by Bartolomeo Ammannati with the assistance of several other artists between 1560 and 1574. It incorporates a series of mythological figures and iconographies that symbolize both Cosimo I de' Medici's power and the union of Francesco and Joanna. It has sustained a great deal of damage over the years due to vandalism and general mistreatment but underwent a major restoration completed in 2019 that restored it to its original glory.” (Fountain of Neptune, Wikipedia)

Fuente de los Leones

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Fuente de los Leones (Fountain of the Lions)
Court of the Lions, Alhambra
Calle Real de la Alhambra
Granada, September 2023

“The central fountain of the courtyard, which has been modified and restored several times over the centuries, consists of a bowl-like marble basin surrounded by twelve lions. The lions face outwards and appear as if supporting the basin on their backs. All these components are made of Macael marble from Almeria. The existence of fountains with lion sculptures is documented at other sites of al-Andalus such as the earlier Medina Azahara near Cordoba. Other zoomorphic sculptures from al-Andalus are also attested, such as the larger example of the Pisa Griffin. The marble water basin was carved from a single piece of marble. While it appears completely white today, it was originally painted with subtle colors in order to highlight its carved decoration, but these colors have been lost due to repetitive cleaning over the centuries. This decoration includes a long inscription around the border of the bowl featuring a poem by Ibn Zamrak. The original hydraulic system was designed to keep a consistent water level in the basin.” (Court of the Lions, Wikipedia)

33 by Studio Weave

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33 by Studio Weave, 2018
The Gateway Pavilions
Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula
London, May 2023

“Studio Weave has unveiled a pavilion in the form of a ‘typical terraced house’, offering views over the construction site of a new design district on the Greenwich Peninsula in London. Named 33, the number of the house Studio Weave director Je Ahn used to live at, the three-storey pavilion is built in the shape of a terraced house, complete with a bright red door. The design references the housing that covers much of London, and the structure also stands near a row of surviving Georgian worker terraces on River Way. But instead of typical brick walls, 33 comprises a decorative lattice of timber elements.” (Studio Weave builds viewing tower that looks like a terraced house in London's Greenwich, Dezeen)

A dead planet

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“Fa più rumore una finsestra sporca di un pianeta morto”
(Makes more noise a dirty window than a dead planet)
Via dei Servi
Florence, December 2022

Roman bridge

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Puente romano (Roman bridge)
Plaza del Triunfo
Córdoba, September 2023

“The Roman bridge of Córdoba is a bridge in the Historic centre of Córdoba, Andalusia, southern Spain, originally built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river, though it has been reconstructed at various times since. It is also known locally as the Old Bridge as for two thousand years, until the construction of the San Rafael Bridge in the mid-twentieth century, it was the city's only bridge across the river. Most of the present structure dates from the Arabs reconstruction in the 8th century. It is included in the small preserved area known as Sotos de la Albolafia. Since 1931, the bridge, together with the Puerta del Puente and the Calahorra tower, has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in the monument category. It also part of the historic centre of Cordoba, declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.” (Roman bridge of Córdoba, Wikipedia)

The Shipwrights Arms

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The Shipwrights Arms
Tooley Street, Southwark
London, May 2023

“At the junction between Tooley Street and Bermondsey Street is a historic pub called ‘The Shipwright's Arms’, recalling one of the local industries. It has a large wall of tiles showing ships being built.” (Tooley Street, Wikipedia)

Bell tower by Baccio d'Agnolo

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Bell tower by Baccio d'Agnolo, 1512
Basilica of Saint Mark
Piazza San Marco
Florence, December 2022

“The church seems to then have been in constant renovations and restoration for the next two centuries. Some of the changes include: in 1512, the bell tower was re-built on the design of Baccio d'Agnolo.” (The Church of San Marco, Visit Florence)

Balneario de Nuestra Señora de la Palma

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Balneario de Nuestra Señora de la Palma y del Real
Centro de Arqueología Subacuática de Andalucía
Playa de La Caleta
Avenida Duque de Nájera
Cádiz, September 2023

“The Spa of Our Lady of Palma and the Royal (Balneario de Nuestra Señora de la Palma y del Real) is a spa located in Cádiz, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1990.” (Spa of Nuestra Señora de la Palma y del Real, Wikipedia)

Simon Milton

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Simon Milton by Philip Jackson, 2016
Potters Fields, Southwark
London, May 2023

“The third, and most recent, acts as a gatekeeper to those unlovely new apartments between Tower Bridge and City Hall. UPDATE Nov 2018: This statue has now been moved to a slightly less prominent corner of the development.” (Simon Milton: A Man With Five London Memorials, The Londonist)

Pax tibi Marce

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Winged lion on the facade
Basilica of Saint Mark
Piazza San Marco
Florence, December 2022

“Mark the Evangelist's symbol is the winged lion, the Lion of Saint Mark. Inscription: ‘Pax tibi Marce evangelista meus’ (peace be upon you, Mark, my evangelist). The same lion is also the symbol of Venice.” (Mark the Evangelist, Wikipedia)

Costurero de la Reina

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Costurero de la Reina
Parque de María Luisa
Paseo de las Delicias
Sevilla, September 2023

“The Costurero de la Reina (literally, the Queen's sewing box) is a building constructed in the late nineteenth century in the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, now the Maria Luisa Park in Seville, Spain. This unique building takes the form of a small hexagonal castle with turrets at the corners. The building was the guard house or garden retreat. It is the oldest building in Seville in the neomudéjar style. The name comes from a popular tradition that Mercedes of Orléans, the future wife of King Alfonso XII of Spain, retired to the pavilion where she passed her time sewing. The reality is more prosaic. The formal name is the ‘Pavilion of San Telmo’. Mercedes died of typhus about fifteen years before the building was erected in 1893. Nowadays the Costurero de la Reina lodges the tourist information office on the ground floor. The opening times are 9-2 pm and 3.30 to 7.30 pm, on weekdays and 10-2pm during weekends and bank holidays. The building was restored in the spring of 2007 to repair the main structure and to arrange the interior in order to make it more functional. The first floor was refurbished recently and it is used as meetings and events room of the local government.” (Costurero de la Reina, Wikipedia)

Parkside Pavilion

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Parkside Pavilion by DSDHA, 2007
Potters Fields Park
Tooley Street, Southwark
London, May 2023

“Architects DSDHA have created two cafe pavilions at Potters Fields Park in London, England. Parkside Pavilion (top and above) is a charred structure set beside City Hall while the Blossom Square pavilion located next to Tower Bridge (below) is built of whitened timber. As the UK's first charred timber building, Parkside Pavilion has a distinctive silhouette that offsets the iconic structures that surround it, and continues DSDHA's research into contemporary forms of urban architecture and public space.” (Potters Fields Park pavilions by DSDHA, Dezeen)