Anverso: serpentinita / Front side: serpentinite |
The front side of the diptych shows two details: to your left you can see a detail of the cobbles in Cuesta de los Chinos —of the itineraries that lead up to the Alhambra, the one with the "most rural" traits. To your right you can see a detail of the foundation of a wall in the Alcazaba — also in the Alhambra. Similar stones are recognizable in both images; some we walk on while the others bear the weight of the monument. All of these stones come from the so called "Alhambra conglomerate" or similar conglomerates from the region, geological formations that are the product the ancient erosion, transport and sedimentation processes of Sierra Nevada's many materials. In the center of both images we can see serpentinite, with its recognizable green hues, mixed with others of different color and texture.The use of these stones, as material and construction technique, exemplifies the close relationship that mankind had, in the past, with its surrounding environment: we used to build with what we had close at hand.
Reverso: pintura fosforescente / Reverse: fluorescent paint |
The reverse side of the diptych also shows two details: to your left you see a close-up of the paving on Carril de San Agustín, in the Albayzín; and to your right you can see another close-up, this time of the paving on calle Espaldas de San Nicolás, also in the Albayzín. Both images depict the fluorescent paint that is used in traffic lines. In the first image the painted marking is a reminder that parking prohibited, while in the second picture the painted stones point to the fact that they have been reused. In the Albayzín, cobbles are the most common paving material, covering almost the full entirety of the "fourth facade" of its public spaces: the paved surfaces of its streets and squares. Consequently, this material plays a main part in creating the rich perceptive and atmospheric qualities that this historic neighborhood enjoys.
Las piedras que pisamos son parte del paisaje patrimonial del Albaicín y la Alhambra. Hoy, la necesaria renovación, mantenimiento y adecuación funcional que requieren estos pavimentos debe partir de este valor. Un punto de partida para resolver esta necesidad sería una intervención ética y estética que reutilice este material: el empedrado que ya está aquí.
The cobbles we walk on are part of the Albayzín and the Alhambra's inherited landscape. Today, the necessary renovation, maintenance and functional adaptation that this paving material requires must take this value into account. An answer to this need would be an ethical as well as aesthetic proposal that involves the reuse of this material: the cobbles that are already here.
De estas cuestiones y otras al hilo, hablará Vincent en la presentación del trabajo: 78% empedrado. Una aproximación a los pavimentos del Albayzín ¡Os esperamos! / Vincent will present his research 78% empedrado. Una aproximación a los pavimentos del Albayzín [78% cobbled. An approximation to the paving of the Albayzín] about these and other related issues. We hope you can make it!
28 de mayo de 2014. 19:30 h
Carmen de la Victoria, cuesta del Chapiz s/n. Albayzín, Granada
Organiza: Asociación de Vecinos Bajo Albayzín
Colabora: Carmen de la Victoria. Universidad de Granada
+ info: clic aquí
Editado y traducido por / Edited and translated by: conVince: http://translateandconvince.wordpress.com/