Feb 09 2012
Spain Highlights
My recent trip to Spain was refreshing and inspiring. Visiting towns just outside Madrid and driving through the countryside towards the southeast coast was a welcome break from the fast pace of working life here in Singapore.
If you can imagine – sweeping vistas of olive tree plantations (as far as the eye can see), orange and almond ones too, mountains (some topped with snow) and hills dotted with Spanish villas and farmhouses.
There were two highlights of the trip. The first – climbing a mountain on the Costa Blanca – where during the ascent you had a spectacular view of the surrounding land and Mediterranean sea, and at the peak you were challenged with a short crawl through a tunnel to the other side of the mountain.
From the other side, another stunning view of the terrain. And we chose the right day too! The weather changed somewhat overnight – covering that same mountain with a fresh dump of snow. It had felt like Spring up there just a day before!
Highlight number two was particularly a treat for art lovers like me. But historians too. Cuenca (pronounced KWEN-ka) is a city less than an hour from Madrid and its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its many historical buildings.
We took a walk from the top of a hill down to the valley and saw many ‘cliff-hangers’ such as these below.
Picture Courtesy www.euroresidentes.com
Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses) perch dramatically over the Huécar gorge. The ones in the picture used to be a popular gathering spot for abstract artists in the 1960s. Cuenca was, after all, a major hub for Spanish artists during this time.
Today, it’s a famous museum, Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, housing stunning abstract art pieces – really some of the best I have seen.
I’ve taken inspiration from these, as well as the earthy tones of the Spanish countryside to develop my next collection of paintings to be exhibited in NUS Guild House from April.
Tags: abstract art, art, cna, costa blanca, cuenca, hanging houses, mediacorp, mountains, news, olive trees, presenter, singapore, spain, yvonne yong
Simply breathtaking! I will make it to Spain next year! I agree with you that when we take time to really discover a particular small town outside of the city, experience the pulse and pace of it, the trip makes all the difference. What about the people you interacted with?
Can’t wait to see your next exhibition!! Your art is very good too.
Thanks Yvonne!
Bruce
Wow. I hardly travel. I am more like a frog in a well. I do like to imagine how it was like if I am there. I can sense the smell of the clean breeze, experience standing on the inclined slope and woosh about the art pieces.
Well, it I have the time and means. I would love to go to Spain as what you recommend. Thanks.