Thursday, October 31, 2024

St Edward's Crown

St Edward's Crown, Marble Arch, London

St Edward's Crown
Marble Arch
London, May 2023

“A giant crown has been unveiled at Marble Arch in west London to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. The 300kg (660lb) installation, which is lit up at night, stands at nearly 5m (16ft) tall and is covered with a selection of glass stones. It is modelled on St Edward's Crown, which the King will be crowned with during Saturday's service at Westminster Abbey. Visitors to the installation are being invited to scan a QR code to learn about Marble Arch's connection to the Royal Family. The crown will be on display until 11 May.” (Giant crown unveiled at Marble Arch, BBC)

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Electrical installation

Electrical installation, Via Porta Rossa, Florence

Electrical installation
Via Porta Rossa
Florence, December 2023

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Castillo de Colomares

Castillo de Colomares (Colomares Castle), Finca la Carraca, Carretera Costa del Sol, Benalmádena

Castillo de Colomares (Colomares Castle)
Finca la Carraca, Carretera Costa del Sol
Benalmádena, March 2024

“Castillo de Colomares is a monument, in the form of a castle, dedicated to the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus. It was built near Benalmádena in Spain, between 1987 and 1994. Covering an area of 1,500 meters, it is the largest monument in the world to the explorer, but also contains the smallest church in the world, covering an area of just 1.96 square meters. In 1987, Dr. D. Esteban Martín Martín began this singular work in an improvised way and with the help of two masons he created Colomares in seven years of artisanal work using brick, stone and cement. Thanks to his knowledge of art, history and architecture, Dr. Martín was able to mold this work at his whim, turning it into a ‘unicum’ due to the stony way of narrating the Discovery of America.” (Castillo de Colomares, Wikipedia)

Monday, October 28, 2024

Paternoster

Paternoster by Elizabeth Fink, Paternoster Square, City of London, London

“Paternoster” by Elizabeth Fink, 1975
Paternoster Square, City of London
London, May 2023

“Paternoster (FCR 243), also known as Shepherd and Sheep or Shepherd with his Flock, is an outdoor bronze sculpture of 1975 by Elisabeth Frink, installed in Paternoster Square near St Paul's Cathedral in London, United Kingdom.” (Paternoster, Wikipedia)

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Terracotta fountain

Impruneta terracotta fountain, Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden), Via Poggi, Florence

Impruneta terracotta fountain
Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden)
Via Poggi
Florence, December 2023

“The most famous kind of Tuscan terracotta is produced in Impruneta, an ancient town a little south of Florence. The tradition of making terracotta in this area goes back to the 14th century and its production has progressively impacted on the area’s landscape, architecture, urban design and economy. The so-called cotto dell'Impruneta owes its success to the peculiar properties of the clay found in the area, which is rich in iron, extremely malleable and both elastic and resistant. The clay comes from Impruneta and surroundings, for example from the smaller villages of Ferrone and Tavarnuzze and from the Val di Greve area. The most common terracotta products that are made here are vases, dishes and bricks. Many large and small orci, which is the italian for a peculiar kind of terracotta vase, were also traditionally produced and used to carry high quality olive oil and wine (also produced in the region).” (Terracotta of Impruneta, VisitTuscany)

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Huelin Park

Parque de Huelin, Carretera de Cádiz, Málaga

Parque de Huelin
Carretera de Cádiz
Málaga, March 2024

“The Huelin Park is located between the district of the same name and the Abbey Gardens. Green space is built on a former industrial area contaminated. It is equipped for the ride and has a playground for kids and a dog area. It has lakes and unique architectural elements like a lighthouse. The park covered an area of 32,000 square meters of gardens and has over 700 different species of trees.” (The Huelin Park, Diputación de Málaga)

Friday, October 25, 2024

Rowland Hill

Statue of Rowland Hill by Edward Onslow Ford, King Edward Street, City of London, London

Statue of Rowland Hill by Edward Onslow Ford, 1881
King Edward Street, City of London
London, May 2023

“In London a bronze statue by Edward Onslow Ford, also made in 1881, stands outside the King Edward Building (formerly London's principal Post Office) in King Edward Street.” (Rowland Hill, Wikipedia)

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Chat-oiseau

Chat-oiseau by Jean-Michel Folon, , Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden), Via Poggi, Florence

“Chat-oiseau” by Jean-Michel Folon, 1994
Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden)
Via Poggi
Florence, December 2023

“Since September 2011 the garden has hosted twelve sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, donated by his widow to the municipality of Florence. The sculptures are: ‘Partir’ (2005), ‘Un oiseau’ (1993), ‘Chat-oiseau’ (1994), ‘Chat’ (1996), ‘Vingt-cinquième pensée’ (2001), ‘Méditerranée’ (2001), ‘Panthère’ (2003), ‘Walking’ (2003), ‘Je me souviens’ (2003), ‘Partir’ (2005) and ‘L’envol’ (2005).” (Giardino delle Rose, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Escuela de Vela y Náutica

Escuela de Vela y Náutica Fuengirola, Puerto Deportivo, Fuengirola

Escuela de Vela y Náutica Fuengirola
Puerto Deportivo
Fuengirola, March 2024

“The Escuela de Vela y Náutica Fuengirola (Fuengirola's Nautical and Sailing School) offers sailing courses along the whole year. It has experienced professionals for sailing dinghies as well as for heavier crafts. It has courses for all levels, from amateur to higher.” (Escuela de Vela y Náutica Fuengirola, Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

The Gold Smelters

The Gold Smelters by J. Daymond & Son, Aldersgate Street, City of London, London

The Gold Smelters by J. Daymond & Son, 1901
Aldersgate Street, City of London
London, May 2023

“The Gold Smelters, also known as the Barbican Frieze, Bryer's Frieze, Gold Refiners, or abridged as Gold Smelters, is an outdoor frieze relief by J. Daymond, installed along Aldersgate Street in London, United Kingdom. It was saved from a building demolished in the 1960s and re-erected in its present location by the Corporation of London in 1975.” (The Gold Smelters, Wikipedia)

Monday, October 21, 2024

Chat

Chat by Jean-Michel Folon, Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden), Via Poggi, Florence

“Chat” by Jean-Michel Folon, 1996
Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden)
Via Poggi
Florence, December 2023

“Since September 2011 the garden has hosted twelve sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, donated by his widow to the municipality of Florence. The sculptures are: ‘Partir’ (2005), ‘Un oiseau’ (1993), ‘Chat-oiseau’ (1994), ‘Chat’ (1996), ‘Vingt-cinquième pensée’ (2001), ‘Méditerranée’ (2001), ‘Panthère’ (2003), ‘Walking’ (2003), ‘Je me souviens’ (2003), ‘Partir’ (2005) and ‘L’envol’ (2005).” (Giardino delle Rose, Wikipedia)

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Parque de Huelin

Parque de Huelin, Carretera de Cádiz, Málaga

Parque de Huelin
Carretera de Cádiz
Málaga, March 2024

“Among its most notable attractions is the large lake that occupies the central part of the park. In the middle of it you can see an islet with palm trees and a small fishing boat, traditionally used on the coast of Malaga. One side of the park is bordered by a small artificial stream, crossed by a beautiful wooden bridge.” (Parque de Huelin, ViajaMálaga)

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Great Arthur House

Great Arthur House by John Robertson Architects, Golden Lane Estate, Golden Lane, City of London, London

Great Arthur House by John Robertson Architects, 2019
Golden Lane Estate
Golden Lane, City of London
London, May 2023

“Originally designed in 1956 as part of the Golden Lane Estate by Chamberlin Powell and Bon for the City of London Corporation, this iconic Grade II Listed Building was a hugely influential postwar housing development, with unusual views into The Barbican, their best known work. In 2013 the City of London Corporation commissioned the architects to replace the building’s deteriorating window system with the aim of significantly improving the comfort of the flats, whilst adding significantly to the difficulty by stipulating that the residents continue to live in them throughout the works. During the project, as a response to the tragedy at Grenfell, detailed consideration of the fire performance of the facade was also added to the brief.” (Great Arthur House, Royal Institute of British Architects)

Friday, October 18, 2024

L'envol

L'envol by Jean-Michel Folon, Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden), Via Poggi, Florence

“L'envol” by Jean-Michel Folon, 2005
Giardino delle rose (Rose Garden)
Via Poggi
Florence, December 2023

“Since September 2011 the garden has hosted twelve sculptures by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon, donated by his widow to the municipality of Florence. The sculptures are: ‘Partir’ (2005), ‘Un oiseau’ (1993), ‘Chat-oiseau’ (1994), ‘Chat’ (1996), ‘Vingt-cinquième pensée’ (2001), ‘Méditerranée’ (2001), ‘Panthère’ (2003), ‘Walking’ (2003), ‘Je me souviens’ (2003), ‘Partir’ (2005) and ‘L’envol’ (2005).” (Giardino delle Rose, Wikipedia)

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Lifeguard tower

Lifeguard tower, Playa de La Carihuela, Costa de La Carihuela, Torremolinos

Lifeguard tower
Playa de La Carihuela
Costa de La Carihuela
Torremolinos, March 2024

“Perhaps most importantly, this beach offers ideal conditions for swimming with its sheltered, clear, and shallow waters. It is further complete with an extensive list of offered amenities, and is thus frequented by families, couples, and all those looking for a laid-back day by the sea. Similar to the other beaches in the area, La Carihuela is characterized by its dark but abundant sand. The beach is approximately 2,100 meters wide and 40 meters long. Being to the immediate west of Torremolinos, La Carihuela is a very popular area, and is often crowded in high-season despite its vast size! Parking nearby can be quite tricky during the busy months of June to August.” (Playa de La Carihuela, Spain Holiday)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Cromwell Tower

Cromwell Tower by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, Seen from Golden Lane, Beech Street, City of London, London

Cromwell Tower by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, 1973
Seen from Golden Lane
Beech Street, City of London
London, May 2023

“The estate also contains three of London's tallest residential towers, at 42 storeys and 123 metres (404 ft) high. The top two or three floors of each block comprise three penthouse flats. The towers are:
- Cromwell Tower, completed in 1973 – named after Oliver Cromwell
- Lauderdale Tower, completed in 1974 – named after the Earls of Lauderdale
- Shakespeare Tower, completed in 1976 – named after William Shakespeare
Once the tallest residential towers in London, they were surpassed by the Pan Peninsula development on the Isle of Dogs.” (Barbican Estate, Wikipedia)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

La Berta

Head of La Berta, Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Via dei Cerretani, Florence

Head of “La Berta”
Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Via dei Cerretani
Florence, December 2023

“According to legend, this disembodied head, dubbed ‘La Berta’, has been sticking out of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Florence since medieval times. Its origin is unclear, meaning locals have had centuries to cook up their own theories to explain its presence. The most common bit of lore says the head belongs to a woman who was petrified on September 16, 1326. According to this tale, the woman was a victim of Cecco d’Ascoli, an astrologer who was on his way to be burned at the stake for heresy. As he was carried in a procession along Via dei Cerretani, he stopped to ask for some water. Little did he know that looking out a church window was Berta, who at that very moment told everyone watching to deny him a drink. Berta claimed the man was an alchemist who could communicate with the devil using water, and that the devil himself would grant him immunity. D’Ascoli, furious, cast a curse on Berta, preventing her from ever moving. There are, however, more practical theories behind the head’s appearance. One theory says the head is a memorial to the greengrocer who donated bells to the church so they could chime whenever the city gates would open or close. This would explain why it sticks out the bell tower wall, and not a window. Some historians also claim Berta is no more than the head of an old Roman sculpture, for the remnants of such would be commonly used as decoration in the Middle Ages. This theory is probably the most believable, and yet, locals still tell legends of dark magic and curses to the few passersby who notice Berta.” (La Berta, Atlas Obscura)

Monday, October 14, 2024

Días de verano

Mural by Lalone + Nesui inspired by Días de verano by Vicente Palmaromi, Calle Compañía, Málaga

Mural by Lalone + Nesui inspired by
“Días de verano” by Vicente Palmaromi, 1885
Calle Compañía
Málaga, March 2024

“Inspired by the original painting, which represents a lady of the high bourgeoisie sitting on the seashore who stops her reading moment to look at the viewer, Lalone has chosen to approach ‘a reinterpretation that faithfully honors most of the original composition, maintaining the same concept of the beach and making only a change in the central figure to replace the young woman with a more contemporary figure, capable of communicating more personal and authentic sensations,’ the artist has detailed.” (Brisa Estival, Street Art City)

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Canaletto Tower

Canaletto Tower by UNStudio, City Road, Islington, London

Canaletto Tower by UNStudio, 2017
City Road, Islington
London, May 2023

“The 22,000m2 Canaletto residential tower in London employs the concept of clustering several floors together to establish a group of ‘vertical communities’. Offering waterside living, the 31-storey tower comprises studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, a variety of three bedrooms and one distinct penthouse with a full rooftop. Canaletto also includes shared amenities such as a swimming pool, health club, media room and resident’s club lounge with a terrace on the 24th floor. UNStudio's design for the tower, which is located in the London borough of Islington, incorporates the remodeling of the facade, a streamlining of the building’s mass and a contrasting of scale and detail untypical of a residential tower. The facade for the Canaletto tower was designed to emphasise its residential character and to define a distinct ‘Islington’ response.” (UNStudio, World-Architects)

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Cat on a windowsill

Cat on a windowsill, Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, Florence

Cat on a windowsill
Piazza Sant'Ambrogio
Florence, December 2023

Friday, October 11, 2024

Castillo El Bil-Bil

Castillo El Bil-Bil, Avenida Antonio Machado, Benalmádena

Castillo El Bil-Bil
Avenida Antonio Machado
Benalmádena, March 2024

“An Arab-style construction, with red plaster outside and decorated with tiles and bas-relief following the exquisite Nasrid tradition. The surrounding area has gardens with several Moorish-inspired fountains, which make the gardens look especially beautiful. It was built in 1927, as part of a project that aimed to build a country villa for a wealthy family of the time. In 1980 the Benalmádena Town Council bought it to turn it into a cultural asset for the town, and it still is today, with exhibitions, concerts, conferences, etc. An interesting fact is that it is the public building where the largest amount of civil weddings is held in the province of Málaga.” (Castillo de El-Bil-Bil, Andalucia.org)

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Pickford’s Wharf

Pickford’s Wharf, City Road Basin, Wharf Road, Islington, London

Pickford’s Wharf
City Road Basin
Wharf Road, Islington
London, May 2023

“City Road Basin, close to the eastern end of Islington Tunnel, made a huge contribution to the prosperity of the company, as it was more convenient than Paddington, and was soon acting as a distribution centre for goods into London. Several firms which had become established at Paddington moved to City Road Basin, including the carriers Pickfords. A lucrative trade developed rapidly, and although most of the cargo from the Grand Junction Canal only travelled as far as City Road Basin, there was growing traffic in coal, timber, bricks, sand and other building materials from the eastern end of the canal to locations west of the basin, where building development was flourishing.” (City Road Basin, Wikipedia)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

House of Altoviti

Coat of arms of the House of Altoviti, Piazza del Limbo, Florence

Coat of arms of the House of Altoviti
Piazza del Limbo
Florence, December 2023

“The Altoviti are a prominent noble family of Florence, Italy. Since the medieval period they were one of the most distinguished banking and political families appointed to the highest offices of the Republic of Florence, friends and patrons of Galileo Galilei, Vasari, Raphael, and Michelangelo. They had a close personal relationship with the papacy. Through a predominant endogamous marriage policy they established alliances with dynasties of principal and papal nobility as the Medici, Cybo, Rospigliosi, Sacchetti, Corsini, and Aldobrandini. Three popes have blood relations with the Altoviti; Innocent VIII, Clement IX and Clement XII. Pope Innocent VIII was the uncle of La Papessa Dianora Altoviti Cybo. Her son Bindo Altoviti became one of the most influential papal bankers and patron of the arts of the Renaissance. The Altoviti are still present and descendants continue to be involved in art and culture.” (Altoviti, Wikipedia)

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Victoria Málaga 1928

  Victoria Málaga 1928 stand, Plaza de Jerónimo Cuervo, Málaga

Victoria Málaga 1928 stand
Plaza de Jerónimo Cuervo
Málaga, March 2024

“The story of Victoria Málaga beer is closely tied to the history of the city of Málaga. ‘Malagueña y Exquisita’, which means ‘From Málaga and Exquisite’, is not just a slogan but also the philosophy of our beer. Victoria Málaga´s story begins on the 8th of September 1928, the feast day of Santa María de la Victoria, Patron Saint of Málaga, where the beer gets its name from. The Franquelo family, founders of the brand, opened the first brewery in El Perchel, a centric neighbourhood in Málaga, with the aim of creating an exquisite beer from Málaga.” (The Beer of Málaga since 1928, Victoria Málaga)

Monday, October 7, 2024

Canada goose

Canada goose, City Road Basin, Islington, London

Canada goose
City Road Basin
City Road, Islington
London, May 2023

“The Canada goose (Branta canadensis), sometimes called Canadian goose, is a large wild goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America, and it is occasionally found during migration across the Atlantic in northern Europe. It has been introduced to France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. Like most geese, the Canada goose is primarily herbivorous and normally migratory; often found on or close to fresh water, the Canada goose is also common in brackish marshes, estuaries, and lagoons.” (Canada goose, Wikipedia)

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Courtyard by Michelozzo

First courtyard by Michelozzo, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Florence

First courtyard by Michelozzo
Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
Florence, December 2023

“The first courtyard was designed in 1453 by Michelozzo. In the lunettes, high around the courtyard, are crests of the church and city guilds. In the center, the porphyry fountain is by Battista del Tadda. The ‘Putto with Dolphin’ on top of the basin is a copy of the original by Andrea del Verrocchio (1476), now on display on the second floor of the palace. This small statue was originally placed in the garden of the Villa Medici at Careggi. The water, flowing through the nose of the dolphin, is brought here by pipes from the Boboli Gardens. In the niche, in front of the fountain, stands Samson and Philistine by Pierino da Vinci. The frescoes on the walls are vedute of the cities of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy, painted in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari for the wedding celebration of Francesco I de' Medici, the eldest son of Cosimo I de' Medici, to Archduchess Johanna of Austria, sister of the Emperor Maximilian II. Amongst the cities depicted are Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, Vienna, Bratislava (Pozsony), Prague, Hall in Tirol, Freiburg im Breisgau and Konstanz. Some were damaged over the course of time. The harmoniously proportioned columns, at one time smooth, and untouched, were at the same time richly decorated with gilt stuccoes. The barrel vaults are furnished with grotesque decorations.” (Palazzo Vecchio, Wikipedia)

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary), Plaza de la Constitución, Fuengirola,

Nuestra Señora del Rosario
(Our Lady of the Rosary)
Plaza de la Constitución
Fuengirola, March 2024

“It is the main Catholic church in the city, located in the Plaza de la Constitution. The most important masses of the city are celebrated here, for example, the Flamenco Mass in honor of the patron. This church features a Baroque main entrance consisting of two pilasters and a split pediment with an image niche at the top.” (Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Diputación de Málaga)

Friday, October 4, 2024

City Road Basin

City Road Basin, City Road, Islington, London

City Road Basin
City Road, Islington
London, May 2023

“The City Road Basin is an English canal basin and part of the Regent's Canal in Central London, owned by the Canal & River Trust. It opened in 1820, and made a large contribution to the prosperity of the Regent's Canal. By the 1950s, its surroundings were largely derelict, but a programme of regeneration began in 2004, involving several large-scale residential developments, and public access to the basin was provided for the first time in 2009. The basin is used for canoeing by the Islington Boat Club.” (City Road Basin, Wikipedia)

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Samson Slaying a Philistine

Samson Slaying a Philistine by Pierino da Vinci, First courtyard, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Florence

“Samson Slaying a Philistine” by Pierino da Vinci, 1552
First courtyard, Palazzo Vecchio
Piazza della Signoria
Florence, December 2023

“In Rome in 1547 Pierino extended his knowledge of Michelangelo's sculptures, and when he returned to Tuscany he began work on a statue which had its subject a theme associated with Michelangelo, was loosely based on Michelangelo's designs, and was an essay in Michelangelo's sculptural technique. This is the marble group of ‘Samson Slaying a Philistine’, now in the courtyard of the Palazzo Vecchio.” (Pierino da Vinci, Web Gallery of Art)

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Jardines de la Catedral

Jardines de la Catedral (Cathedral Gardens), Calle Císter, Málaga

Jardines de la Catedral (Cathedral Gardens)
Calle Císter
Málaga, March 2024

“The Cathedral gardens are formed by species such as cypress, ficus, roses, bird of paradise, black olives, bitter orange, mandarin, privet, Canary Island date palm, and other date palms. Especially beautiful is the so-called Patio de los Naranjos, with its entry in chains. It highlights a sapling of aromatic white flowers called Toxicophlea spectabilis (toxic). This species comes from the Cape of Good Hope, being curious to use poison arrows through knowledge of sap. Black olives can be also found.” (Cathedral Gardens, Diputación de Málaga)

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Ventilation towers

Three ventilation towers by Bennetts Associates, City Road, Islington, London

Three ventilation towers by Bennetts Associates, 2012
City Road, Islington
London, May 2023

“Part of the City Road Basin housing scheme masterplanned by Bennetts, the new canalside space features three stainless steel chimneys, which ventilate an electricity substation below. The public space is a primary access point for the housing scheme. The affordable element is designed by Bennetts and now on site, the project is scheduled for completion in February 2012.” (Bennetts unveils new public space at City Road basin, Architects' Journal)