5 minute read
A home for lovers of art, books, and coffee
Sergio: For those artists who do not yet have enough work to make up a collection, or simply cannot exhibit for whatever reason, the coffee shop offers a big wall where individual pieces are hung and shown to whoever passes through the shop. These pieces are of course on sale. They not only add to the eclectic ambience of the coffee shop, but also offer a unique opportunity for artists to show what they have done, and for our clients and members of the community to see the range of beautiful, creative work that is currently being produced. Apart from this wall, the coffee shop is a space that functions both as a meeting point and a space to relax, offering organic products and sweets homemade by local Madrileños. Goyo: Yes, and the bookstore, tucked neatly into the corner there, is the consequence of very, very careful selection! Everything that we choose to sell, and therefore support—be it books, comics, zines or even tote bags made from recycled material—is something that we care about, or something that is very influential, or recommended, or for whatever reason we believe it ought to be available to our public. Sergio: The artist residency takes in artists both from Spain and from across the border. As part of the residency, the artist has the apartment, the coffee shop and the gallery as spaces to work within. Often, an artist works in the gallery, as they like to incorporate the space during the process of their work. We just love observing an artist consumed by their work, it is so inspiring, and so very interesting to see the process. It is something quite unique to be able to witness.
How did this ambitious project, Swinton and Grant, come about? Sergio: This space is the physical form of a longtime dream of mine! I love art, and I love books, and I have always wanted to open up a space that combined them both. After working many years in an office, I thought: if not now, never. I didn’t want to end up with a cloud over my head for the rest of my life, asking: what would have happened if you had followed your dream. Then Goyo and I started talking, looking for spaces, and slowly turning ideas into physical forms.
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Does the community—both artists and those interested in art—take the ideas created in Swinton and Grant outside of this space? Sergio: As part of our work with the artists, we try to bring the art onto the streets, across public walls. This is so that individuals that wouldn’t normally come into our shop or any other space like this, have a chance to see what people are creating. Perhaps they could be inspired to think about the various messages that are being displayed, or to simply appreciate the aesthetics. Goyo: I have to emphasize that more people who encounter these transformed walls are actually starting to understand that the art that is being displayed is not vandalism, but rather something creative, entertaining, and intelligent. We know there’s a growing appreciation of street art in Madrid because people come in and tell us themselves!
Through their modest yet passionate efforts to initiate conversations, collaboration, and appreciation of local and artistic projects, both Goyo and Sergio have taken on a rather important role in Madrid’s quiet, yet growing, street art scene. ¢ facebook.com/SwintonAndGrant.
What the underground tunnels of Madrid reveal
Words & pictures by MARTA AGUILAR CEREZO and MARIEKE ELISAH LENSVELT
An automated female voice echoes through the underground hall. A train makes its appearance, guided by an unorchestrated symphony of track racket and electronic sounds. Doors open routinely, followed by a hasty bustle of footsteps. Doors close, people leave, and silence returns. The train swoops away once again, into the darkness, leaving behind a warm underground draft, blowing your hair with a scented tunnel breeze. This complicated web of underground tracks is not just the most efficient way to get around Madrid, but also tells a hidden story culture and history.
Goya Any chance to honor their rich art historical history, Spain takes. Metro stop Goya, opened on the 14th of June 1924, is one of many that carries the name of a Spanish art historical genius. His engravings, reflecting the darkness of Goya’s mind during the French occupation of Spain, now adorn the walls of Goya station platform.
Lavapiés Back in the 90s, collectives of libertarians, anarchists and squatters settled in the neighborhood. In the second decade of the 20th century, about 50% of the neighborhood population was foreign. With large segments of immigrants, Lavapiés springs as a cultural point where life takes place on all corners. Even the famous Pablo Picasso lived at number 5 of Calle San Pedro Martir during his stay in Madrid between 1897 and 1898. Madrid, especially Lavapiés became an influence in the way he saw the world from then on.
Atocha Madrid, 11th of March of 2004. Lights slowly started to brighten, while the morning metro silence softly awakened commuting the Spanish workforce. A deafening sound abruptly ended what was supposed to be a gentle morning. In less than five minutes 10 bombs rewrote history: Madrid suffered the worst terrorist attack ever perpetrated in Spain.
CURIOSITIES • The deepest station of Madrid is Cuatro Caminos.
It goes so far down under, that its depth is equivalent to the height of a 20-story building.
• The length of all lines combined is a grand total of 324 kilometers. This makes Madrid the seventh largest underground network of the world after Moscow, Tokyo, Paris, London, Shanghai and New York. • Throughout the extensive subway network of
Madrid there are two “ghost stations.” The first, the old station Chamberí, ceased to operate in 1966 and can now be visited as a museum. The second is Arroyo del Fresno, a stop on Line 7 that was built but never used.
• The Opera station houses a museum dedicated to Caños del Peral, an ancient water source that supplied water to 16th century locals.
