WALKING CENTER CITY
Yesterday we were on our own and enjoyed seeing a bit more of San Sebastián than we already had. The hotel manager recommended a photography exhibit so we headed in that direction. We walked through center city across the Urumea River on the Maria Cristina bridge which links to the train and bus stations. Built in 1904-1905, it’s a stone bridge with three arches and most notably four obelisks at the four corners, each topped with sculptures in the Belle Epoque style. They are copies of ones in Paris.
Our destination was the Tabakalera, an arts and community center for films and exhibitions, located next to the train station. Like Brightleaf Square in Durham, North Carolina, it’s a re-purposed tobacco warehouse. But more industrial looking than the brick ones in Durham.
The lobby has some funky seating and a reflective art piece hanging from the ceiling.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
We viewed Family Ties, an exhibit of large-scale color photographs by Tina Barney. To our surprise, Barney is an American artist whose work is primarily in a New York gallery. She grew up on the East Coast in an affluent environment, and her works reflect that in the dress and settings of the people she has photographed. Many reflect wealth and achievement, but to my eye, not necessarily happiness or contentment.
They range from a perfect hostess with a carefully laid table and more glassware behind her, a man with his two grown sons, a granddaughter with grandparents in the background, and the artist’s self portrait.
The lighting in the exhibition was intense which made getting good photos difficult, hence the occasional blue streak.
IMPRESSIVE CHURCHES
San Sebastian has two large churches, one a basilica and the other a cathedral. The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the newer of the two, was constructed in the late 19th century in a Neo-Gothic style. Its style emphasizes its verticality. It has only been designated a cathedral since 1953.
The Basilica of Santa Maria in the heart of the Old Town was built between 1743 and 1774. Its main entrance is on a straight line from the cathedral and when standing in front of one, you can see the other. The baroque facade is topped by a statue of Saint Sebastian the Martyr. Regular organ and choir concerts take place in this sanctuary.
