There's so much I could say about it, so much I want to share with you - friends, strangers, anyone patient enough to give me some of their time. Instead of talking your ear off about it (which I would undoubtedly do) 'till you feel you never want to have anything to do with me anymore (which you undoubtedly would), I put together some of my journal entries, some quirky things people said to me along the way, some deep inspirations I had in my moments of reflections, some simple observations I noted, a couple sketches I did here and there, and some photos of course, to capture some moments I had in Spain.
Ultimately, I went to Spain with the intention of learning and exposing myself to a culture that values their everyday surroundings as comprising the domain of design. That, to me, is the most empowering tool as an artist and an architect >> our everyday surroundings comprise the domain of design! >> Wait! make sure you read that carefully: OUR EVERYDAY SURROUNDINGS! Man, can you imagine? Every thing, everywhere you look, in every corner, every alley, there is potential for art, there is potential to creatively express yourself. I can't tell you how empowering this general culture of Spain was for me (and how absolutely different most parts of America are in comparison) - their bold desire to experiment, to try new things, even just DO things, doing things, daring things, simply to express yourself!
...One night I was walking towards the beach in Barcelona and I heard these loud beats coming from my left side, near the highway. It was crazy man, hot rhythms, drum beats, stopping everyone in mid-step to turn around and peer through the bushes to find where these soul beats were coming from...a couple of young teenagers standing on the side of a highway with all different kinds of drums just beating their hearts away, practicing, performing, for themselves, for everyone...
...In Albayzin, the Muslim quarters of Granada, after my sun-drunken walk, I finally stumbled upon the most incredible view existing in Granada - the view across the Alhambra. I was standing in a plaza and directly behind me were the sounds of flamenco guitarists playing their sweet rhythms, transporting me to a Golden time of Granada; for moments I lived in a world in which I never existed. Right behind the plaza was a church in which a marriage ceremony was being held, and to my right was the Grand Mosque of Granada...all cultures respectful and existing together in unity, making you feel like all you wanted to do is exist in love forever...
...I got lost in a residential area alongside the beach in Barcelona and each alley was a festival in itself. In its decoration was a celebration of life, shelter, culture, art, diversity.
Well,
the inspirations were truly many, and I literally felt them even as I crossed
back over the Atlantic Ocean ... "Traveling seems to be an 'accelerated
course in life'," as I told my family and friends in an
email from Spain, "where your senses are heightened to the world around you in a most positive way."
I hope something in the following pages means something to you in some
way; ultimately, I do it for my inner desire to share my experiences in a
most creative, and a bit abstract, way. Thousands of pictures really I've
taken, and tons of thoughts and inspirations drifted in and out of consciousness;
if anyone is interested or curious, send over an email friend, I'm most willing
to share pics, thoughts, experiences, anything!
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnwebmaster@njartitecture.com
Email entry: 'Granada-Sept 23'
... I went to the mosque and was overwhelmed, just totally overwhelmed by the beauty inside. It's a very simple mosque, not overly decorative, but there are fountains, wonderful sunlight, the mihrab is all in the style of the Alhambra. I sat outside for about an hour and a half thinking and praying and writing. It was so peaceful, all the mountains out in front of me, only the sound of light chirping birds and the playing of Quranic recitation ... SubhanAllah. I felt like I had felt that sense of peace that people so deeply desire. This was it. I sat there and cried (joyfully), making duaa for myself and giving gratitude to Allah for my mommy and papa and my family and for such freedom that I have been given in my life to live and experience life in the ways that I have. My God. Alhamdulillah. It was beautiful ...
