Spain takes its fiestas seriously. The most important, such as Valencia’s Fallas and Carnival in Cádiz have received a special denomination known as Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional, meaning that, like historic buildings and places, they must be supported and cherished and are recognised as an asset to the tourist industry. But fiestas are locally loved as well, providing Spaniards with yet another opportunity to let their hair down and heels up.
The fiesta culture has also led to a lively sub-genre in the graphic arts. Whether a major city fiesta or a local food fair, most organisers contact local designers to submit posters for the event. The final choice is often hotly debated in the local press: in 2005 a poster depicting a Cuban woman for Barcelona’s La Mercé festival sparked a minor polemic on immigration and Catalan identity.
Pamplona’s city council has been running a ‘popular choice’ competition for Los Sanfermínes (or ‘running of the bulls’) festival for the past two years. In 2009, graphic artist Ángel Blanco Egoskozaba won for his portrayal of el chupinazo, the heady moment when the entire city (and a large number of brave tourists), dressed in white and red gather in from of Pamplona’s city hall waiting for the mayor to step out and yell the words ‘Viva San Fermín’—the official start of the nine day-long fiesta.
This was the fourth time Egoskozaba had won a poster contest in Spain. ‘Some people climb mountains in their spare time,’ he says. ‘I create posters. The local council gives you the liberty to do what you want as long as it is original and identifying of the event. But because the public votes for the winner, you need to do something you think they’ll like.’
Established by Ignacio Fernandez Rodgriquez in 2003, Aspid Cars has brought the Supercar to Spain
Read the Article: Aspid Supercar
Read the Article: Hotel Consolacion, Aragon
The Cubic rooms of Aragon's Hotel Consolacion perch high above Aragon
A high-design boutique hotel, Consolacion sits atop a rocky ravine in North East Spain
Espadrilles, the stylish Spanish footwear of choice
Read the Article: Studio House Acoran II, by Gyp Arquitectos
Studio House Acoran II, by Gyp Arquitectos
Recycling centre by Hidalgo Hartmann architects
Read the Article: Hidalgo Hartmann
Hotel Ferrero, Valencia
Read the Article: Hotel Ferrero, Valencia
Read the Article: Villa Julia Playhouse, by Javier Mariscal
Villa Julia Playhouse, by Javier Mariscal
Read the Article: Ultzama Equestrian Centre, Navarre
Valdermorillo House, by Padilla Nicas
Read the Article: Valdermorillo House, by Padilla Nicas
Women's Institute Mostoles, by Nodo
Read the Article: Women's Institute Mostoles, by Nodo
One of the 2009 Pamplona Festival's high-colour posters
Read the Article: Pamplona Fiesta Posters
One of the 2009 Pamplona Festival's high-colour posters
Read the Article: Ricardo Bofill Architect
Muralla by Ricardo Bofill Architects
Read the Article: Ricardo Fumanal. Dior Couture, by Ricardo Fumanal
Work for GIles Deacon by Ricardo Fumnal
Artwork for Mango by RIcardo Fumnal
The Lab Room Spa, Madrid
Read the Article: The Lab Room Spa, Madrid
Trestle table by Spanish designer, Tomas Alonso
Read the Article: Tomas alonso, Designer
Trestle table by Spanish designer, Tomas Alonso
Erotic publishing from Spanish creative, Luis Venegas
Read the Article: Luis Venegas, Publisher
Wind farms help keep things running at the Aire de Bardenas Hotel
-
Bedside lamps for illuminated nightsThe Wallpaper* edit of the best design-focused bedside lamps and where to buy them: warm and bright autumn nights with this edit of bedside lamps for your room
-
A bridge in Buffalo heralds a new era for the city's LaSalle ParkA new Buffalo bridge offers pedestrian access over busy traffic for the local community, courtesy of schlaich bergermann partner
-
Hyper realistic animatronic dolls come to life in Diego Marcon's new filmSpectacle meets surrealism in Diego Marcon’s latest film, 'La Gola'
-
Anne Imhof ‘Avatar II’ review: a psychological thriller to make you wince and wonderGerman artist Anne Imhof’s ‘Avatar II’ exhibition at London’s Sprüth Magers is a compelling, uncanny probing of contemporary culture, reality and artifice
-
‘Light & Space’ at Copenhagen Contemporary: ‘moving art without moving elements’On view until 4 September, epic group show ‘Light & Space’ explores the past and present of the iconic light and installation art movement. It’s physical, emotional, bodily and disorientating
-
Manifesta 14: an unflinching look at Kosovo’s fraught history and ambitious futureIn Prishtina, nomadic biennial Manifesta 14 draws on the past and future of Kosovo through ambitious art and staggering architecture
-
Documenta 15 review: social practice, controversy and food for thoughtMired in evolving controversy, Documenta 15 has raised critical questions about transparency, accountability and creative freedom. Emily McDermott travels to Kassel to explore how an edition filled with social practice art urges active participation and throws global power structures into sharp relief
-
‘Worldbuilding’ exhibition review: a trip through the uncanny valley of art and gamingCurated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, ‘Worldbuilding: Gaming and Art in the Digital Age’ at the Julia Stoschek Collection, Düsseldorf, explores how artists can embrace and subvert the visual language and culture of video games
-
Frieze New York 2022: activism, NFT action, and stellar shows around townTo mark the tenth-anniversary edition of Frieze New York (18 – 22 May), we’ve compiled a guide to the most exciting happenings inside and outside The Shed
-
Review: Larry Bell saturates senses and bends perception at Hauser & Wirth LondonAt Hauser & Wirth London, iconic Light and Space artist Larry Bell is testing the limits of optical and spatial reality in new glass installations. The show coincides with the artist’s major exhibition at Dia Beacon, New York
-
An intoxicating Whitney Biennial bets big on abstraction, identity and super-sharp videoIn the planning stage since 2019, when the world was a very different place, the 80th Whitney Biennial will run until 6 September 2022
