Before leaving the topic of Madrid, I just wanted to highlight the wonderful Caixa Forum. The show that was up when I was there was on abstract art in China. The show itself was fine, but the building of the Caixa and its fabulous wall topiary (is that the right term??) are especially worth noting.
Here’s an image of the building with the topiary on the side.
It’s a little hard to tell, but the top of the building is actually an almost lace-like treatment of the rusting iron. The cut-outs permit one to see the sky through the roof. And in keeping with this unexpected way of seeing through solids, the building itself is cantilevered off of the very slight incline of the hill, and the visitors enter through that space.
The wonderful living wall piece is striking to say the least. It brings to mind an organic, flowing map merging with a monumental abstract painting.
Gorgeous!
Finally, the place that got my heart racing the most (after El Prado): El Museo del Jamon (the Ham Museum). It’s a restaurant/store celebrating my favorite animal -- the swine -- or more correctly, it's porky goodness. (C’mon, I’m Cuban-Chinese, could I choose any other food source?)
I bought a morcilla (blood sausage) there to bring home, but stupidly forgot that it needed to be refrigerated. Que lastima! Had to toss it at the airport when I realized I was staring at a good case of botulism.
Dang.
