A glimpse into Barcelona’s history, from its ‘lost neighbourhood’ through to Cerdà’s development of the city’s iconic grid form, is captured in a series of photographic exhibitions currently on show in the city. If you’re fascinated by the history of cities or simply interested in the progression of Barcelona’s urban development, then this snapshot of the past 200 or so years in Barcelona will be of interest. Check out these free photographic exhibitions in Barcelona currently on display at La Virreina, Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona and La Casa dels Entremesos.
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Barcelona: the metropolis in the age of photography, 1860-2004
The exhibition Barcelona. The metropolis in the age of photography, 1860-2004 is presented by La Virreina until 26 June. Covering nearly 1,000 works and featuring the city’s urban development over the past 150 years or so, the exhibition is expertly presented by Jorge Ribalta, an artist, critic and independent curator. It includes an exploration of the connection between urban transformation and the role of photography in shaping public opinion with pieces on major events such as the 1888 World Fair and the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures. The diverse forms of technology across photography and the dramatic shift when digital was introduced are also showcased. Visitors to the exhibition can explore 18 galleries divided into six historical periods, beginning with the 1860s through to 2004. It’s free to visit and open from Tuesday to Sunday as well as public holidays, from noon to 8.00pm. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 6.00pm.
Related article: Catalonia’s History Museum
Pérez de Rozas. A Chronicle of Barcelona in Images. 1931-1954
The exhibition Pérez de Rozas. A Chronicle of Barcelona in Images. 1931-1954 is running until 21 May at Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona. The works, which are curated by Andrés Antebi, Pablo Gonzalez Teresa Ferre and the Observatory of Vida Quotidiana (OVQ), cover photojournalism in Barcelona in the twentieth century. Split into three themes – the Second Republic, the Civil War and the Franco Era – the exhibition covers 25 years of the Crònica Gràfica, the first institutional photographic archive established in the city. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the work of Carlos Perez de Rozas Masdeu and the transforming lens for photographers in Barcelona at the time. The exhibition is free to enter and open from Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 7.00pm, except for holidays.
The Lost Neighbourhood
An insight into the once bustling centre of commerce and community in the neighbourhood in and around Plaza Nueva is captured at the exhibition The Lost Neighbourhood. The showcase, which is at La Casa dels Entremesos, runs until 8 May. It takes you on a journey before and after the devastating bombing on 30 January 1938 in the heart of the city. The history of the Fiestas de San Roque, a celebration of the neighbourhood, is also on show at the exhibition, covering the importance of this longstanding recognition and celebration of tradition and heritage. La Casa dels Entremesos is free to enter and open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 4.00pm to 7.00pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 11.00am to 2.00pm.
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