“My friends are my heroes” - in a city that constantly draws crowds of skate tourists, photographer Cris Bravo (
@la_melancolia ) has chosen to stick to his closest friends to capture a more intimate side of Barcelona.
Though civil engineer Ildefons Cerdà’s transformative vision for Barcelona was to create a walkable urban landscape, his creation of the Eixample not only revolutionized the city but also created a canvas for skateboarding. With a mix of affordability, a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, the ability to move from the beach to the bar, and an architecture that appears to have been designed specifically for skateboarding, this city could be the closest to paradise on Earth for skateboarders.
The allure of not needing much more than a passport and a meager budget had skateboarders hooked. The seemingly endless supply of perfect ledges, sculptures, natural transitions, and smooth ground Barcelona offers, mixed with a vibrant plaza culture present an opportunity to not only thrive but interact with the city’s culture. Add to the mix a lack of harassment, traffic, and judgment and it’s no wonder Barcelona is a perpetual bucket list city for skateboarding. In fact, in some circles, it’s known as “the city where careers thrive as quickly as they die.”
“Many times I’ve seen people arriving in the city and skating at the highest level but getting completely lost in the party scene. Barcelona is a hectic big city, and if you’re not very focused or a bit lost, the city will choose for you and eat you. It’s important to not forget what you really want.”
L’HABITAT is on display
@galeriebete until July 06.
