* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
In the heart of vibrant Barcelona, ??Las Ramblas have always been a scene of contrasts and fascination. Between the years 2005 to 2010, I dedicated myself to capturing more than 200 photographic images, some of which we see in The Photos of the Readers of La Vanguardia, which were provided to me by anonymous and singular artists, who posed on the central pavement giving, Next to its very personal mosaic, a multicolored scene: human figures.
With their meticulous transformation and stoic immobility, these characters integrated perfectly into the unique atmosphere of this emblematic walk, captivating the attention of passers-by.
Las Ramblas of yesteryear: a tapestry of life woven with aromas of flowers and bird chirps. The booths were decorated with multicolored flowers, exotic birds and the occasional animal, which completed the scene. An aura of glamour, immortalized by the song Las Floristas de las Ramblas, by Joan Manuel Serrat:
“The florists on the Rambla plant flowers in all weathers and if they don’t sell them in the summer they will sell them in the winter. They sell flowers for tourists, they sell flowers for lovers, they sell flowers for the parties of the rich, of poor, of the dead…”
A pioneering legacy: in 1987, António Santos, known as Staticman, gave life to the first “living statues” on the Ramblas. His innovative proposal attracted a growing number of artists, which led the City Council to regulate the activity by imposing licenses. In this way, a balance was established between creative freedom and order in this public space.
The human figures, with their eloquent silence and almost magical stillness, defied the inclemency of the weather. Undaunted by the scorching sun of summer or the bitter cold of winter, their only reward was the modest shower of coins that slowly filled their baskets. A reward that, although not large, supported their passion for art and allowed them to continue transforming Las Ramblas into a magical space.
In its heyday, the Ramblas became a kaleidoscope of characters: from the Rambla de Canaletas to the Rambla del Mar, human figures reigned on the Ramblas de Canaletes, de los Estudios, de Sant Josep (or de las Flores), de the Capuchins (also known as the Center) and Santa Monica. An army of motionless characters, fairies with mysterious looks, historical figures and fantastic creatures turned the walk into a surreal and unforgettable experience.
The pandemic, like an unexpected hurricane, hit this group hard. Many artists were forced to abandon their passion, leaving a void in the heart of Las Ramblas.
The portraits that I exhibit are a valuable testimony of a golden age. A tribute to the creativity, resistance and passion of those artists who, with their unique talent, transformed Las Ramblas into a magical space.
Beyond nostalgia, the photographs invite us to reflect on the fragility of street art and the importance of preserving this cultural legacy. A legacy that, despite the difficulties, still continues to beat slowly and with frank weakness in the heart of Barcelona, ??waiting to be rediscovered by new generations.
