La Purée in Barcelona: Independent art space

In Barcelona, like in every other big city in the world, it sometimes happens that certain neighbourhoods (those that didn’t usually get a lot of attention) suddenly generate a lot of interest. So, the citizens of the city begin to slowly move there and, at the same time, they also begin to generate a cultural movement which didn’t exist previously. That’s what’s been happening lately in the neighbourhood of Poble Sec, located in the southwest of Barcelona. In the last few years, actually, more than half a dozen cultural and artistic spaces have opened there, which have generated activities, exhibitions, workshops and competitions in a place which used to be a lot more calm, almost bereft, and definitely more external of Barcelona’s active life.

And so, after the already known cultural centre ‘La Margarita’, located in the street with the same name on number 48, recognizable by a beautiful tree-door which characterizes it, a few weeks ago they inaugurated a new space from the previous ‘la Purée’ project, previously located on the same Margarit street at number 40, which has now moved to 46. This new space, which is still referred to with its previous project name, will be called ‘La Antorcha’ (the torch). The reason behind this is, as its manager Edu says, to give people a meeting point which never goes out and that, just like a torch, “will always be lit”. It’s a compromise not only with art and culture but especially with the very neighbourhood of Poble Sec. The idea which La Antorcha promotes is to give the community of the neighbourhood a space to express themselves, show their art and get to know the work of other artists, or simply just to meet up. This way, the neighbourhood gains a previously unknown lifestyle.

‘La Antorcha’ was inaugurated with the exhibition ‘Carte du Bruit’, by the French photographer Olga Zmick, that can still be visited. It’s a selection of photographs taken during her routes around queer Barcelona in the last five years. With her work she explores the limits of the body and the deep relation that exists between desire and the city (especially the city of Barcelona!).

Another activity which takes place on Fridays is the autumn audiovisual cycle on the music which was banned in different times and in different places around the world. For winter, ‘La Antorcha’ proposes ‘Megaparchises Tuyú’ by Carlos Piqueras, which will bring his interactive and psychedelic ludo games all the way from Madrid. It’s a table game which has to be completed with four chips, making them reach the centre of the table throwing the dice. The programme also foresees the participation of Aingeru Rincón and Steven Forster with ‘Rural legends’.

‘La Antorcha’, just like ‘la Purée’ is loyal to its old compromise with political art focused on gender subjects. For more information: http://lapureeouterspace.blogspot.com.

menschauser

If you’re in Poble Sec or if you’ve rented apartments in Barcelona don’t miss out on the chance to get to know the cultural neuighbourhood life that the city offers!

Contact Me

Translated by: aleixgwilliam
Contact Me

Tags: art, culture, la antorcha, la margarita, la puree, margarit, neighbourhood