Fuengirola has a number of public sculptures. In addition to the promenade, parks and plazas that are homes to the art, there are roundabouts/rotaries/traffic circles (depending on where you’re from) that serve as great spots, as well. One close to our house is by a sculptor from Málaga named Charo Garcia.
I didn’t understand the meaning of the monument until I returned and found a plaque posted nearby. Then, I at least knew the purpose, but I still don’t quite get “it.” Maybe I’m not supposed to. It’s a memorial to victims of terrorism (all victims of all kinds of terrorism).
I suppose the piece worked for me on a gut level, since I immediately found it very disturbing.
Our neighborhood of Los Boliches was a fishing village and is still well known for that. I assumed the dismembered hands were holding onto nautical rope and the area below, although looking kind of like barbed wire, was a tangled net on the sea floor. I figured it was a memorial to those lost at sea.
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What I’ve since learned is that the monument symbolizes (roughly translated from a description I found online) “… the collision between life — represented by the hands of a woman — and the bonds and lack of freedom — represented by strings.” I admire the intent of the piece and, as my aunt used to say when she didn’t quite comprehend but didn’t want to appear ignorant, “Interesting.”
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| HOMENAJE A LAS VICTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO — CHARO GARCIA |
Art appreciation is very personal, so I know that my experience of a piece will be different from the experience of someone else. Music appreciation is no different. I love jazz, but either my ear isn’t refined enough or I simply don’t have a taste for jazz improvisation. When we arrived at breakfast on the promenade yesterday morning, and a musician arrived with an amp and a jazz guitar, I thought, “Oh, crap, an amp; there goes our peace and quiet.” Then he set up a little rack to sell his own CDs, and I thought, “Well, maybe there’s hope.” I figured he had to at least take his music seriously if he was willing to invest in producing a CD.
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| THE GIFTED JAZZ HANDS OF JAVI ROSSO (THAT’S THE RESTAURANT MENU ON THE EASEL… JAVI KNEW HIS MUSIC BY HEART.) |
It turns out we enjoyed his playing so much that we bought a CD. In addition, he was a pleasure to visit with. His name is Javi Rosso and he performs two nights a week (Thursday and Sunday) in Málaga with a sax player at a restaurant named Citron. We were told by one of the waiters that they’re an exceptional duo. Maybe an evening trip to Málaga is needed. Maybe I’ll even develop an appreciation for jazz riffs.
That really is an 'interesting' sculpture alright! I took something totally different when I first saw it….that's what I like about art works. they elicit personal interpretations.
This fellow sounds really good. What a nice way to spend some time listening, eating and watching the world go by. Thanks for this Mitch!
Jim:
There are some other very traditional statues (no interpretation needed) and others that I find beautiful. As for Javi, much better in person. Thanks for coming along.
We ate at Citron in Malaga the first night in Spain. They have wonderful risotto. Menu is not tapas. Instead it's appetizer, main, and dessert. Was really good and would have been better with the music! Glad all is going well.
Lindy:
When he said the name of the place, I thought it sounded familiar! Now I know why. I'm hoping to check it out soon.
I was in the same boat for many years until one summer we attended a Jazz Festival and drowned ourselves in all forms of jazz. I am now totally hooked. This reminds me of how I learned to eat olives by my mother. She said eat 10 in a row and you'll always love them. Being a dutiful son I obeyed and guess what I love olives. This fellow playing while you eat really is so calming, very nice. Now the art work…hmm!
Ron
Ron:
My problem with jazz improvisation is that I enjoy lyrics too much and have a hard time when lyrics are "screwed with."
Ron:
Oops. I hit "publish" too soon! San Geraldo hates olives. But I don't think I could get him to down 10 in a row. I can't even get him to down 1.
Aaaah, that's a lovely rendition of that Beatles song :))
I like the atmosphere there :))
Judeet:
It really was relaxing!
Hmm, the sculpture…yes, interesting. To me it looks like two separate works.
I think you definitely need to take a trip to Malaga on a Thursday or a Sunday. 🙂
Judith:
I agree with you about the sculpture looking like two separate works.
We've got a jazz musician friend coming from Copenhagen late April. I think he'll enjoy seeing Javi in Málaga.
Wow, the restaurant was a busy place. With that background noise and the street traffic, the musician wasn't intrusive at all. I'm like you, I really like some jazz but not all of it. As for the art piece, I find it confusing. The hands are artful, but the rest is like trash.
Ms. Sparrow:
The restaurant is busy all the time. Good food, good prices, good service. They even have bridge games, a pool table, ping pong, music nights. They know what they're doing.
The background noise is what turned out to be intrusive. The music was beautiful.
Lovely music! I want everyone to shut up so I can hear it better! 😉
Knatolee:
So did I. I could have gotten off my butt and gotten closer to record!
Nice restaurant and music… but even nicer is the sunshine and (looks like) warm weather! You took the sun with you when you moved.
Sharon:
Yep, the weather is much warmer now. But the rain comes and goes. This morning started off bright and sunny. A half hour later, it was raining. It's now a mix of clouds and sun. But the fact that it's no longer "cold" makes the rain pleasant (as long as it doesn't stick around all the time)!