Pupil: What's the waste system like in the UK?
Me: ummm ...
21.3.15
11.3.15
The Reina Sofia Museum
On the Saturday evening of my weekend in Madrid (which was weeks ago now), the gang and I took advantage of free entry to the Reina Sofia museum: a contemporary and modern art museum named after the Queen. Apart from Tuesdays when the museum is closed for the day, the Reina Sofia offers free access to all as long as it is between the hours of 7 and 9pm - 2 hours before closing.
I must say that I wasn't expecting to gain too much out of it. After all, whilst I had heard of then name, I had never heard too much about it. But I couldn't have been more wrong - I loved it.
Of course, it is not to everyone's taste - just like the Prado was not to mine. I do not think that everyone will have the same experience as me. I had a great one.
I admit that I did not "get" all of the artwork, but, in general, I think that it has a fantastic collection of modern art: some of which are both weird and wonderful. In particular, it has a great deal of political art: a subject that I am especially interested in. I find it amazing that through simple means like using a pen or a paintbrush you can highlight issues in society, or even try to take out dictators!
I felt that the guides and explanations were very informative although I enjoyed trying to interpret the art piece before finding out the context.
That said, I would imagine that if you do not have an previous knowledge of Spanish history or politics, you might actually find a lack of basic information.
On that note, I heard some people complaining about the layout of the museum and the exhibitions for they found themselves wandering in circles. Personally, I had no problems with this using the maps readily available, as well as the floor plans found in and around the lifts.
My only qualm is that when we got there, we discovered that the 4th floor was closed. I can't complain too much having entered for free but it was slightly disappointing. I would recommend looking at the website in advance to see if anything will be closed for a change over or refurbishment.
Anyway, the artwork completely made up for this slight problem. With mainly Spanish artists you can enjoy the unique works of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso amongst others - needless to say, the Guernica is a must see! There are few international artists so, imagine my delight when I found myself, a film buff, watching a short movie that I recognised to be an early film of the Lumiere Brothers (who fascinate me to no end). It was great and the film was located quite near the end of our tour, so it was a lovely way to finish off the trip.
Whilst we rounded off our evening with Thai food, if you visit the museum during the day you might want to follow it up with a trip to Retiro park - a favourite of mine.
Not only is it a really lovely place, it is perhaps only a 20 minutes walk away. There are metro stations too but I think with the walk that you would have to make from Atocha or Lavapiesao, it would barely be worth it. Of course, you can wander around and enjoy the different buskers and performers, but there is also the Crystal Palace and the Velasquez Palace as well. You might want to check the closing times of these however, as I am pretty sure that they shut at different hours. They are also linked to the Reina Sofia, so you can buy tickets at the Sabitini venue (the main venue).
Overall, I would suggest that if you are a big fan of modern art you must must must visit the Reina Sofia. Otherwise, I'm not sure it is worth it. The architecture, as always, is grand but having been built upon an old hospital, it hardly leaves you in awe - I think the interior is much more impressive!
In fact, I wish I could have spent some more time there, but oh well - I have another excuse to return to Madrid I guess.
Hasta luego
I must say that I wasn't expecting to gain too much out of it. After all, whilst I had heard of then name, I had never heard too much about it. But I couldn't have been more wrong - I loved it.
Of course, it is not to everyone's taste - just like the Prado was not to mine. I do not think that everyone will have the same experience as me. I had a great one.
I admit that I did not "get" all of the artwork, but, in general, I think that it has a fantastic collection of modern art: some of which are both weird and wonderful. In particular, it has a great deal of political art: a subject that I am especially interested in. I find it amazing that through simple means like using a pen or a paintbrush you can highlight issues in society, or even try to take out dictators!
I felt that the guides and explanations were very informative although I enjoyed trying to interpret the art piece before finding out the context.
That said, I would imagine that if you do not have an previous knowledge of Spanish history or politics, you might actually find a lack of basic information.
On that note, I heard some people complaining about the layout of the museum and the exhibitions for they found themselves wandering in circles. Personally, I had no problems with this using the maps readily available, as well as the floor plans found in and around the lifts.
My only qualm is that when we got there, we discovered that the 4th floor was closed. I can't complain too much having entered for free but it was slightly disappointing. I would recommend looking at the website in advance to see if anything will be closed for a change over or refurbishment.
Anyway, the artwork completely made up for this slight problem. With mainly Spanish artists you can enjoy the unique works of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso amongst others - needless to say, the Guernica is a must see! There are few international artists so, imagine my delight when I found myself, a film buff, watching a short movie that I recognised to be an early film of the Lumiere Brothers (who fascinate me to no end). It was great and the film was located quite near the end of our tour, so it was a lovely way to finish off the trip.
Whilst we rounded off our evening with Thai food, if you visit the museum during the day you might want to follow it up with a trip to Retiro park - a favourite of mine.
Not only is it a really lovely place, it is perhaps only a 20 minutes walk away. There are metro stations too but I think with the walk that you would have to make from Atocha or Lavapiesao, it would barely be worth it. Of course, you can wander around and enjoy the different buskers and performers, but there is also the Crystal Palace and the Velasquez Palace as well. You might want to check the closing times of these however, as I am pretty sure that they shut at different hours. They are also linked to the Reina Sofia, so you can buy tickets at the Sabitini venue (the main venue).
Overall, I would suggest that if you are a big fan of modern art you must must must visit the Reina Sofia. Otherwise, I'm not sure it is worth it. The architecture, as always, is grand but having been built upon an old hospital, it hardly leaves you in awe - I think the interior is much more impressive!
In fact, I wish I could have spent some more time there, but oh well - I have another excuse to return to Madrid I guess.
Hasta luego
2.3.15
ESL confusions #4
Today, one of my students who is aged 10 said:
"My brother is a barking man".
He meant "barking mad".
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