Love at first sight.

This is what love looks like:

The Matadero, an old slaughterhouse transformed into an art space, is probably one of my favorite places to go in Madrid.  I had one of the most enjoyable Sundays this past weekend, when I went to see a friend in an intimate performance piece called 'World of Interiors.'  As you entered, you were not quite sure what was going on.  There was silence, except for the whispering of artists, who were lying on the floor, spread out and sprawled out in different positions.  At first I wasn't sure who was a part of the piece and who was a viewer, but as I walked around the room and sat with each of the artists, I began to feel like a part of the piece as well.  (http://www.mataderomadrid.org/ficha/1352/world-of-interiors.html)

After I left the performance, I explored a few other exhibition rooms, and came across the work of Fernando Sánchez Castillo.  His installation was a perfect fit for the space, and I found it incredibly hard to break away from his majestic scraps of metal.  (http://www.mataderomadrid.org/ficha/1262/fernando-sanchez-castillo.html)

Not only are there exhibition rooms at the Matadero, but there is also a totally swag cineteca!

We will definitely be seeing a lot more of each other.  

Art in the dead of winter.

Last night, I went to an amazing exhibition at Galería Juana de Aizpuru featuring the work of Yasumasa Morimura.  Definitely worth venturing out into the cold for this one.                                      

                                                             http://www.juanadeaizpuru.es/ 

It's famous time.

Meet Cal.  (right)

Callum Hanlon, from Moorestown, NJ, is a film maker, fellow English teacher, and one of my roomies.  He has been busting ass working on commercial contests for various companies, and has recently been selected as one of the winners for Chevy's Super Bowl contest.  Go Cal!!  This weekend, I am helping with another shoot for a Bacardi contest, and we are taking to the streets with cameras, a totally sweet mini projector, and styyyyleee.

Check out the Super Bowl commercial here:  http://msn.44d.me/3m4g
callumhanlon.com

Urban Interventions

While reading up on some local happenings, I came across a duo called 'Luzinterruptus.'  Inspired by the use of light, these two anonymous artists make temporary installations in public places around the city.  I have yet to come across one of them, but will definitely keep my eyes peeled!

http://www.luzinterruptus.com/?p=958

Better late than never

Hola!

Writing to you from the incredible Madrid, Spain.  Day 1 of The Milk Factory from abroad!  Although I arrived about 4 months ago, I needed some time to acclimate, learn sufficient Spanish, and pretty much get my feet wet. After staying with a family in Alcala de Henares for my first month in Spain, I found an apartment in the diverse and alternative neighborhood of Embajadores-Lavapies.  Lucky for me, I am in walking distance of some of my favorite things in the city center.  Por ejemplo, just a 5 minute walk from my house is an artist squat called La Tabacalera, that is an old tobacco factory transformed into an artist space.  It's huge and amazing!  They have exhibitions, music shows, screenings, classes, a garden, a skate park...ahhh!  Last night, I went to an insane drawing night there, which was pretty much a performance with 15 minute freezes for the group of 50 or so artists to draw.  Check it out:  http://latabacalera.net/proyecto/dibujo-madrid-tabacalera-ya-comenzamos/

More catch up to come...

Besos!
~Dara