Now offering free shipping in the UK & European Union in my Etsy shop; selling handmade original prints like these:
Click here https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CatAmongstThePigeons/items
(© Catherine Cronin)
On Monday I paid a visit to the Serpentine Pavilion for 2017 by architect Francis Kéré; and I planned on seeing the Grayson Perry exhibition in the Serpentine Gallery too, but it was closed! I really liked this years pavilion; on a smallish scale compared to previous years it is a friendly and domestic space. The repeating triangular patterns in roof and walls is very effective; and apparently if it rains the cleverly sloping roof would bestow a waterfall into the middle of the structure for those inside in the dry to admire. I urge you to read more about the design on the gallery’s website.
To get to the Pavilion I entered Hyde Park through the gate near Lancaster Gate Underground Station; through which you are met with the wonderful sight of the Italian Water Gardens. This garden is 150 years old and believed to be a gift from Price Albert to Queen Victoria.
(© Catherine Cronin)
Continuing on from last weeks blog on Seville; I have a few more pictures to share with you. We went for a day trip to Cordoba, where you can see the famous Cordoba Mezquita or Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba. Just as it sounds, in a beautiful grand Mosque a Reanaissance Cathedral nave was literally built into the middle of the Mosque in the 16th century. King Charles V of Castille and Aragon, who gave permission for the Cathedral nave to be built, reportedly said on visiting “”they have taken something unique in all the world and destroyed it to build something you can find in any city.” As I do not have a fancy camera I could not take very good pictures inside the Mezquita, but I urge you to take a look at this collection of images here.
In Cordoba we also visited the ‘Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos’ or Palace of the Christian Monarchs. This fortress was one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. This palace is much smaller than the one in Seville; but it is still worth visiting and has beautiful gardens.
Back in Seville, one of the most modern structures we visited was the Metropol Parasol, it claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world. It consists of six giant parasols in the form of giant mushrooms, which have a sky-walk and viewing platform atop; the underground levels house a small museum of Roman and Moorish remains discovered on site. The space underneath the parasols can be used for public events. I really liked the organic shape of this structure which offers (via a lift) very fine views of the city and the Cathedral.
(© Catherine Cronin)
I had a lovely holiday in Seville in the first week of April; my second visit to this beautiful Spanish city. We stayed in the picturesque neigbourhood of Santa Cruz, the Old Jewish Quarter in medieval times; a few minutes walk from Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcázar.
The Cathdral of Saint Mary of the See is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world; its bell tower known as The Giralda, is the former minaret of the mosque that stood on the site under Muslim rule. The weather vane ‘El Giraldillo’ atop, is of a bronze woman dressed in Roman attire, both the vane and tower’s names are derived from the Spanish word ‘girar’ meaning ‘to turn’.
The Real Alcázar is the royal palace originally developed by the Moorish rulers; it is regarded as an outstanding example of ‘mudéjar’ architecture. The term ‘mudéjar’ refers to the Muslims who stayed in Spanish territories after the Christian reconquest and who continued to practise their customs; this term refers to the mix of style between Christianity and Islam at this time in these territories.
The public Park Maria Luisa in Seville is a huge and beautiful green space set beside the Guadalquivir river. The Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, was held partly within the park, and many of the massive pavillions which are now museums date from this period. A particular favourite is the Mudejar Pavilion, which is now the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Sevilla.
Suffice to say I highly recommend visiting Seville, go for its wealth of history, beautiful buildings, friendly people, reliable sun, gorgeous ceramics, delicious tapas, and wonderful wines and sherries. I recommend a refreshing ‘rebjuito’, a cocktail of sherry (Fino or Manzanilla), lemonade or lemon/lime soda and mint. No visit is complete without seeing a flamenco show at the Flamenco Museum. Lasting an hour we were entertained by singing, spanish guitar, both female and male dancers, performing solos and as a group. It was thrilling.
I will be posting a second blog on my Seville and Cordoba holiday soon.
(© Catherine Cronin)
Quick sketch in pencil and pen of one of the Alhambra’s wonderful parabolic fountains in a courtyard garden.
(© Catherine Cronin)
I always thought that The ArcelorMittal Orbit looked ugly, at least in photographs. I reserved final judgement until I saw it for myself; and I found it to be seemingly small and uninspiring, and still to me quite ugly. What do you think of it?
(Photos © Catherine Cronin)
I have editioned my ‘Alhambra Arches’ linocut in three different colourways, five prints for each colour making a variable limited edition of 15.
Image size approx 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Paper size 24.5 x 31 cm
Now available to buy in my Etsy shop.
(© Catherine Cronin)
I have been proofing my three block linocut ‘Alhambra Arches’. Here are some progress pictures of the third colour combination.
(© Catherine Cronin)
Cat Among the Pigeons Press 