Juana Molina

 Last night I went to see Argentinian musician Juana Molina in the theatre ND Ateneo in the centre of Buenos Aires.  She is one of a handful of Argentinian musicians that are, in my opinion, creating a different sound and bringing something new to the scene in Argentina.  Her style of music is difficult to describe, but the terms indie, folk and electronica come to mind, or her myspace describes it as "Big beat, swing, minimalista".  She creates her sound by using sound recording pedals and machines that play back instantly what she records, and she builds the sounds like layers of a cake, applying one on top of the other.  After listening to her music for almost 2 years now it was great to see her live and see exactly how the sound comes together.  Before becoming a musician she used to be an actor, which comes across in the way she interacts with the audience with small details and funny anecdotes.  It was a great experience that allows her music to be appreciated in a new way so if you get the chance, check her out!

When i first moved to Buenos Aires i lived in a neighbourhood called Flores.  There was this lovely big park about 10 minutes walk from our house and it had these AMAZING gates on one side.  There really was no point to the gates, at least nowadays, because there is no wall either side of them, and behind them is just a disused path.  But i imagine 50 years ago that they led to a building on the edge of the park, a private residence or a type of government building that held events there.  I have no idea if anyone looks upon these gates with such admiration as i do but i think it is fantastic that they are still there.  Buenos Aires is full of beautiful iron work like this and many buildings feature doors, gates and windows with great patterns and details.  It is these buildings that give Buenos Aires its character, history and life.

My apartment building

Owing to its history of more than 400 years, Buenos Aires has some amazing architecture.  There are many buildings that utilise materials that you wont find in modern buildings.  I love the entrance to my apartment building with its use of marble and old fashioned lights.  And then after you enter there is a staircase with beautiful iron railing, etched windows and art deco light fixtures.

There is a film noir-esque feeling to stairs, depending on how the light changes.  I have manipulated the light to help achieve this, but at night you get the feeling anyway.

 

From our back patio there is a view of the amazing stairwell window, that when lit up at night, is quite a sight.  You dont get the full effect from the photos but you can begin to see the detail that has been put into the image.

 

The other day i took a different turn on the way to work and walked past this amazing whale on the wall.  It almost jumps out at you when you walk by.  People often make political statements in public places in Buenos Aires and this one refers to the recent situation with the president of Honduras.  For me the wall is 100 times better like this than if it were a wall without art.

There were some other great images in close proximity to the whale that i have included here too.

 

My Everyday Street Art

Everyday as i walk to and from work, which is a sunny office in Palermo, i pass these street art images, and everytime i look at them i love the visual mix of old building-bright graphic. Buenos Aires is full of amazing street art, in places that you may not expect it.



These 4 images are on the side of a building that on street level is an antiques store. The building is on a corner and there is a brilliant mix of sunlight, windows, graphics and antique furniture.