Inventory: Barcelona

Inventory is an art project where we dig the ephemeral characteristics of the public space and street furniture. Public space collects culture constantly as the surfaces are painted with tags, graffiti and covered with stickers. Conditions change with weather, impacts and maintenance. Interference create uniqueness, but unlike cultural objects under protection in museums or galleries, street furniture is in constant danger of renovation or replacement. We document and preserve objects in digital 3D format to create an inventory and reveal it in the shape of virtual installations reflecting the vibes of cities.

Ciutat Vella (Catalan for Old city) is, as its name suggests, the oldest part of Barcelona. It includes buildings and attractions from all the city history and has the most important monuments. The district is divided in four quarters: Barceloneta, Barri Gòtic, La Ribera and El Raval. 

We 3D documented architecture, sculptures and monuments of the Old city and produced digital installations with these assets, including; Facade and chimneys of Palau Güell (Güell Palace) by Antoni Gaudi, El Gato (Cat) by Botero, Monument of Tribute (Homenaje a la Exposición Universal de 1888) by Antoni Clavé, Desconsol (Desolation) by Josep Llimona, Sculpture 'Barcino' by Joan Brossa, Santa Anna Fountain, and monuments to Frederic Soler, Ramon Berenguer III, Joan Prim, Romul Bosch, Angel Guimera, Joan Salvat, Francesc Cambó (by Victor Ochoa), Roger de Lluria, Antonio Viladomat.

El Raval is a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia. El Raval is one of the two historical neighborhoods that border La Rambla and has a very diverse immigrant community with half of its population born abroad, ranging from all South America, Pakistan, Philippines and Romania.

It is home to many bars, restaurants, and night spots historically infamous for its nightlife and cabarets. Street artists and activists roam its streets during nights covering the historical apartment doors and shutters with tags, stickers, writings in multiple languages, graffitis and stencils in various colors.

Every afternoon comes the siesta time, the neighborhood falls into midday nap. The shutters and doors are closed under sunlight exhibiting their nightly colors, writings and ideas. This is the peaceful siesta of El Raval