Art of Russian Artist Nicolai Senin

Nenúfar

Naturaleza encantada. Galería Éboli (Plaza Ramales).  From  26 of May to  24 of June

Senin (1954-2011), whose enchanting paintings are in  private collections distributed in  different countries as USA, France, Russia or Spain, combine a subtle mixture between what is conventional and  the modernity depicting  nature in vibrant colors and beauty. 

"Spain has given color to my palette.  In the same way that Gauguin or Van Gogh received influence from  their stay  in the south of France, Spain has  influenced me with its  color and diversity; every part of Spain is a different country",  as affirmed by  this painter borne in  Moscow but who  lived  in Spain for 26 years.

Admirer of Velázquez, Cézanne and Modigliani, a keen observer of the sun and sceneries, what stands out in his art is "his wish to see beauty in everything", and to show it too.

Excerpts from  El Mundo.es by Laura Caso, May 24, 2011.

Watch a bullfight in Madrid

Bullfight in Madrid  begins in March and ends in October.  Although Spain is famous for its bullfighting, I have never seen one since I detest what some people think is a way of entertainment.  But what does a BULLFIGHT consist of??

In a bullfight, there are usually three bullfighters against 2 bulls each.  And their turns are determined according to their date of "alternativa" (similar to a degree).  It starts with the paseillo, where all those that perform directly take a parade before the public.  This consists of the "alguacillos" mounted on horses to cross the plaza to address themselves to the Presidency and symbolically solicit the key to the "puerta de los toriles" (where the bulls are kept).  Behind are the three bullfighters followed by the members of their team of three "banderilleros" (one who puts a stick in the bull's neck) and two  picks (one on horseback with a pointed pole of 2 meters whose purpose is to prick the animal so it cannot raise its head when attacking the bullfighter).  At the end of the cortege are the so called "mozos" and "mulas de arrastres" (who are in charge, once the bull is dead, to remove it from the plaza).

Once the key has been delivered and the cortege has left, the door keeping the bull is then opened.  As the bull enters the plaza,  the bullfight begins.  The bullfighter will maintain a dialogue with the bull and at the same time fight against the animal to try to win it.

The bullfight is divided in three parts called "tercios" highlighted with the sound of a clarion.  In the first part, the bullfighter uses his cape.  Then the sound of a clarion signals the two picks to join, situating each one of them in the extreme of the plaza, but merely to bring that "luck".

 

In the second part, is what they call "suerte de banderillas" wherein the "banderilleros" (one who puts a stick in the bull's neck) inserts to the bull's neck with  three pairs of "banderillas" (a barbed dart).

Then, the bullfighter ejecutes the "suerte suprema", wherein he will fight with the crutch instead of the cape, to finally, take the sword and kill the  bull.  This is the most difficult part of his task, since at these moments he should be able to get the bull to attack him, and just in the middle of this attack, he should find the moment to plunge the sword in the heart of the bull and kill it.  This is the part when the bullfighter openly exposes his body before the bull.  It is a fight that is considered to be a live and ephemeral art.  In a matter of seconds, he should concentrate in hitting without fail a concrete point of the bull while it is in movement.

If the series of passes, as well as having killed the bull with one sword thrust, have transmitted to the public all the cumulus of  positive sensations, the public awards him.  The trophys are one or two ears of the bull that was killed, and as a maximum, the tail.

The public solicits the trophies from the president by moving  symbolically their handkerchief, while the president of the plaza is the one who makes the final  decision,  whether to accede or not to the public petition.  The highest honor to a bullfighter after an extraordinary performance is to leave the plaza lifted on the shoulders by a multitude.

The Associations for the protection of animals have tried to abolish this kind of spectacle but to no avail until now since bullfighting has become deeply rooted in  Spanish culture.

TODO SOBRE ESPAÑA © 1996-2011 INTERNET Red 2000, S.L. - ESPAÑA

My Pressed Flower Art

These are some of the things that I do.

Mothers Day

Mothers day is a very special day for me because in a way it measures one's success as a mother when her siblings are able to show their appreciation for what has been done and is still being carried out on a day to day basis on their behalf perhaps unmindful of distances, but mainly in consideration of their own good interest, independently of the sacrifices which turn out to be a pleasure more often instead.  And more  than the appreciation which is given mostly as a material favor, which undeniably proportions cheers and invokes generosity, it is the recognition of the day with special thoughts for the mother, memories of the kind deeds and happy moments shared of joys and sometimes probably sadness, but what really ends up to reinforce family ties.  Our mother is our source of life, let us always remember that.  My mother could not be just any other more special and inspite of being 87 and still counting more healthy years, she lives life to full glory.

As for me, celebration was different since I only had Ron to celebrate it with, Mel having to take care of other tasks in UK.  But it is not the first time I have celebrated it only with Ron, my constant buddy.  

Here is how we celebrated Mothers' Day this year.  Ron came to fetch me to take me to Chinchón and he came with a bouquet of flowers (Ron and Mel) which I initially left in a basin to keep them fresh since I did not have a vase big enough to put them all in one place.

The day was quite cloudy with threats of rain but the temperature was just right for a light outfit. It was not too far to go to Chinchon, about an hour ride from our place of about 45 kms.

There were a lot of people in the plaza, the best part of the place.  After taking some pictures in the plaza, we went to go up to a higher level where the church is and we saw some of the images clothed with long gowns with beaded motifs and embroideries in subtle colors. Quite impressive and I took some time to pray for everyone in the family. We were surprised by a procession as we came out from the church. It seemed to be the procession of the cross so we spent sometime to observe it. Then off to go for lunch.

Again, Ron chose to take me to a Parador. It was not too amazing in architecture but the food was exquisite. We had the special Mothers Day Menu with the following food:

For a starter, we had a special Iberian ham, goose paté rolled in almonds and smoked salmon with goat cheese. Then a cold creme of potato, leeks and mustard with a tail of big dressed shrimp. It was followed by fried floured  hake fish  in a bed of red pepper and onions topped with creme of chick peas cooked with cider. For the main entree: pork sirloin inside a puff pastry garnished with couscous of broccoli and cauliflower.  For dessert, we had chocolate mousse with sweetened milk, lemon and canela (leche merengada). The wine that they served us was a Castroviejo Rioja Reserva of 2005, with mineral water, tea for me and coffee with milk for Ron. Everything was yummy, yummy.

After which we took a stroll in their garden and then back to reality. We enjoyed a great day.

Trip to Malaga

On our last day Maundy Thursday April 22nd, we decided to leave early for Malaga.  Mel had some friends there that she wanted to meet.  At first it was difficult to meet with them because of the crowd due to the procession and being some of them British, they are not used to such a caotic situation.  But we had no problem visiting what we could of Malaga in the meantime.  It seemed to be a bleek day with heavy rains and  all the arrangements for the procession like seats unlikely to be sold to watch the procession, threatened  to ruin the business of some.  We managed to find a cozy and excellent bar to have a quick tapa lunch with the famous fried eggplant dipped in flour with cane honey on top.  Hmmn deliciously done.  I was in a hurry because I wanted to visit the newly opened Thyssen Modern Art Museum just around the block.  And I managed to see it with Ron.  Such a pleasure for the eyes!  Mel in the meantime preferred to take a walking tour of what she could by herself.

Here are some pictures of Malaga.