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Algarrobico 1
Over a year ago I blogged about the background to the controversial hotel at Algarrobico on the coast of Almeria in southern Spain. It has been over four years since a court ruling delared the construction to be in violation of laws protecting the Cabo de Gata natural park and coastline and work on the hotel was stopped. However, the unfinished construction still stands, surrounded by four enormous cranes (one out of view). I was back there in August and climbed the peak across from the hotel to get this image.
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Preserving the Cortijo del Fraile
Federico Garcia Lorca’s drama Blood Wedding was inpsired by a true story that appeared in a Spanish newspaper in 1928. A bride-to-be ran off with another man (her cousin) the night before the wedding, but the groom’s brother discovered the couple and shot and killed the lover. The bride-to-be lived on a farm known as El Fraile. Over 75 years later, the ruins of the farm remain in the remote countryside of Nijar in Almeria, accessible only by a poorly marked, unpaved road. The site also appeared in Sergio Leone’s 1966 film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, starring […]
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Save the Cortijo del Fraile
Federico Garcia Lorca’s Bodas de Sangre was inspired by a true story that appeared in a Spanish newspaper in 1928. A bride-to-be ran off with another man (her cousin) the night before the wedding, but the groom’s brother discovered the couple and shot and killed the lover. The bride-to-be lived on a farm called El Fraile. Over 75 years later, the ruins of the farm remain in the remote countryside of Nijar in Almeria, accessible only by a poorly marked, unpaved road. Unfortunately, after years of neglect, the site is now rapidly deteriorating. This state of decay makes for compelling […]
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Interview in La Voz de Almeria
Spanish journalist Federico Utrera conducted this interview with me by email about my photography and relation to Spain. Utrera is based in Madrid but is originally from Almeria. I first met him last year when he was writing about my uncle Federico Castellon. I was flattered that he took the time to review my portfolio in detail and propose some thoughtful questions. The article appeared in the La Voz de Almeria print edition just before the holidays. The portrait photo is by Stirling Elmendorf. Click on the image below to see the full size article.
Read MoreSpanish Ghosts: Notes on the Locations
I provided some information at the Spanish Ghosts exhibition about the locations where the photographs were taken. These buildings and spaces have many intriguing stories behind them that add to their significance. Here are the descriptions: Cortijo del Fraile: Federico Garcia Lorca’s Bodas de Sangre was inspired by a true story that appeared in a Spanish newspaper in 1928. A bride-to-be ran off with another man (her cousin) the night before the wedding, but the groom’s brother discovered the couple and shot and killed the lover. The bride-to-be lived on a farm called El Fraile. Over 75 years later, the […]
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Ghost Houses of Cabo de Gata
The landscape of Cabo de Gata, along the coast of Almeria, is dotted with architectural remains — eighteenth century fortifications, abandoned mining operations, and empty cortijos. These vacant structures, fixed in the arid desert landscape for decades or centuries, seem timeless. They could have been abandoned fifteen years ago, or 150 years ago. It’s often hard to tell, as the stillness of the desert masks any signs of life. However, these architectural relics are, in fact, products of human history and have some intriguing stories to tell. The Cortijo […]
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Castellon Opening
On Friday March 14, over 300 people filled the marble-lined foyer of the Museo de Almería for the opening of the exhibit “Federico Castellón: de Almería a Nueva York.” Along with dozens of original prints and drawings and several paintings, the exhibit includes illustrated books, personal letters and family photos, and a recorded interview with the artist. The setting is outstanding, a well-designed exhibit space within a light-filled modern building. In fact, the museum was recently nominated for the European Museum of the Year award, which has previously been awarded to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and […]
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Federico Castellon 2
My great-uncle, Federico Castellon, was a respected surrealist painter and graphic artist. Throughout the time I was growing up, we always had a few of his dream-like lithographs on display in our house. While Federico spent most of his career based in New York, he was born in Almeria, Spain. The stark desert landscapes of southern Spain can be seen in the background of some of his works. The exhibition “Federico Castellón, de Almería a Nueva York” opens later this month at the Museo de Almería. I plan to be there for the opening and to do some more photography […]
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It was 40 Years Ago Today … 1
1966 was a tumultuous year for the Beatles. They had endured the kicks and punches of angry mobs during their disastrous visit to the Philippines and the outcry over John’s offhanded “more popular than Jesus” remark. It was the year the group renounced performing live after more than four years of relentless touring around the world. George made his first trip to India, Paul bought a manor house and traveled to East Africa, and John decided to have a try at acting. Lennon had been given the role of Private Gripweed in Richard Lester’s black comedy How I Won the […]
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Cortijo Del Fraile 1
Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding was inspired by a true story that appeared in a Spanish newspaper in 1928. A bride-to-be ran off with another man (her cousin) the night before the wedding, but the groom’s brother discovered the couple and shot and killed the lover. The bride-to-be lived on a farm called El Fraile. Over 75 years later, the ruins of the farm remain in the remote countryside of Nijar in Almeria, accessible only by a poorly marked, unpaved road. These images show part of the chapel building on the property.
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