Thursday May 21

Ok so for those of you who don’t know the story…. I had this amazing opportunity fall into my lap last winter while I was at school grading.  I met Sergio who was visiting with Ricardo Viera.  While we chatted, he asked if I’d ever been to Spain and I said I always wanted to go.  We later met at my Banana Factory studio where we planned for me to come to Zaragoza to work and exhibit.

I never imagined it would actually happen and even as I prepared the work, bought the ticket, set up the housesitter, said good bye to my family and friends, packed my suitcase (and repacked it at the airport because it was too heavy)- I still couldn’t believe that I was going to actually coming to SPAIN!  The travelling here was rather uneventful and even then- the whole idea that I was coming to support my art career seemed surreal to me.  After travelling nearly 24 hours by plane, cab and train, I arrived.  Here. In an amazing place where the streets are lined with palm trees, the city houses 8 castles (at one time Sergio says it was 200), Roman ruins and beautiful basilicas. 

I have experienced much already!!

Upon arriving Sergio and I went for a walk to get the lay of the land (and to find internet access for me which of course finicky VISTA has not allowed me to connect to wifi just anywhere-ggrrr).  I have already taken many pictures (and Janice, I grabbed the wrong cable for the camera when I switched what I would borrow!!)  They will be posted as soon as I can remedy this problem (in which Sergio is out doing now with the help of Paco).  

It will be easier to explain some things with pictures but the beauty of this place is truly magnificent and the people very warm.  It of course has much history that I will hopefully relay within the next few days as accurately as I can remember. 

We saw the Pilar Basilica which commands such a presence and is right down the street from where I am sitting now.

After seeing that and walking around courtyards and beautiful streets we came back to the flat, where I finally could wash off the travel grime and ran off to a gallery opening.  Sergio has me out networking already!  We sipped some champagne and then went back to the flat for a party with the artist group who are making things happen here in Zaragoza. 

This group is so much fun (and very tolerant of my “no comprendo” of Spanish)… Sergio and Juan are very much like brothers and are managing events for the group however everyone else “sweats art” as I was told.  I met Raquel (painter), Esther (painter/sculptor), Paco (spoken word, performance, installation), Fernando (installation), Olga (engraver) and (I’m not sure how to pronounce/spell) Oviedo (enthusiast, has a radio show and videos all their performances/events).  Sergio made some amazing chorizo and other food and we sat around and chatted about what was happening in the Zaragoza art scene.

While I was fading fast after not sleeping for almost 30 hours, I went to bed and woke up at 12:30 today (with a sore throat-ugh)!

Today we went to see Paco at the art school where I got to see many of the facilities.  The school is 100 years old and very much founded on formal academy studies which is apparent in the architecture and some of the busts in the classrooms.  However the halls are lined with very contemporary graffiti inspired paintings.  Paco took Sergio and I around to see the stone carving, forging and wood studios as well as to the in progress installation he is working on which opens next Tuesday (you will see pictures).

We then walked around some of the neighborhoods and back to Pilar where we could actually go inside and see the ceilings painted by Goya as well as his brother.  Pretty magnificent!  We also saw the church that was almost “frankensteined” together… it has influences of Italian Renaissance, Muslim glass work and patterning and Roman.  It changes and shifts as you walk around it.  There are a beautiful mixture of contemporary and classical sculptures along the “plaza” by the basilica.  I also got to see the remnants of the Roman fortress wall that at one time lined the city but was recycled by the Muslims to build structures.

I am hoping once this camera situation is resolved that I may pad this entry with pictures for reference. 

So I have hit the ground running…

Stay tuned for more *amazingness*…