Architecture

Torre Glòries, Catalan Independence and the European Medicines Agency

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One of the consequences of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union is that it will no longer maintain several key European agencies that are currently located in London. A bidding process has started where cities throughout Europe campaign to host the relocated agencies, with the last nominations on the 31st July and the final decision taken in November 2017. Barcelona is bidding to host the displaced European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the iconic Torre Glòries – a radical change from its current location in Canary Wharf for the approximately […]

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Black and White

Encants II – El Mercado Ilegal

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A gallery of images of the illegal street market at the Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Barcelona. The market sells a mix of collected rubbish and most likely stolen items, and at its peak can have as many as 30 to 50 traders present. It forms part of a criminal system that spans from minor crimes such as petty theft through to more serious concerns such as drug dealing, prostitution and criminal theft, damage and usurpación that has badly affected local residents such as ourselves. The traders here represent very much the bottom of this […]

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Photography

Encants I – La Fira de Bellcaire

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A short set of images from the Encants market at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Barcelona. Somewhat ironically, the “square of the Catalan glories” was originally redeveloped as a multi-level motorway junction, as can be seen under construction on this wonderful poster for a recent exhibition. Today, the area is being extensively modernised, and the roads being replaced by parkland and new constructions such as the Diseny Hub and the new I  dels Encants. The market is in an amazing building with mirrored ceilings (there must be a joke there, but I […]

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