Felix Candela
Nov 15
Svelte architecture in Valencia
icon1 valenciablogger | icon2 Valencia | icon4 11 15th, 2010| icon34 Comments »

IVAM in Valencia has been chosen to host a comprehensive retrospective on the famous Spanish architect Felix Candela. The exhibition was organized by the State commission on Commemorations in collaboration with the IVAM and the National Autonomous University of Mexico to celebrate the centenary of his birth.

felix candela valencia
The goal of his interesting exhibition is to commemorate Felix Candela’s rich legacy of imagination of and his innovative and revolutionary ideas, drawings, photographs, designs, blueprints and models to illustrate the career of an architect.

He is known for his graceful, monumental buildings, whose defiant aesthetic revolutionized the world of modern architecture. Candela died in 1997. His innovative ideas brought new life to architectural structures such as the concrete shell, which challenged and went beyond the parameters of art in his time.

Candela’s shells are not only a landmark of modern architecture, but also an innovative way of changing both aesthetic and economic dimension of his buildings, and were, therefore, a major engineering achievement. And hence the discussion about his works; was Candela an ingenious architect or an engineer with a high degree of aesthetic sensibility? For though his incredible structures were revolutionary both aesthetically and  with regard to engineering, he never completed his work by fitting doors, or dealing with other finishing touches concerning architecture.

Another important Candela contribution to modern architecture was the use of umbrellas and layered roof construction, which allowed the passage of natural light. These achievements made him one of the most important architects to this day, so it was decided to organize this important exhibition in his honor.

We encourage you to rent apartments in Valencia and visit this splendid exhibit in IVAM, which opened on October 21 and runs through Jan. 2nd.

For more information about IVAM: http://www.ivam.es/
IVAM, Guillem de Castro, 118, 46003 Valencia | Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00 | Monday closed

Feb 9
Valencia, city of arts and science
icon1 valenciablogger | icon2 Valencia | icon4 02 9th, 2009| icon3No Comments »

A trip to the city of Valencia – the city of arts and science

Are you planning your next trip for your vacations and you still have no idea where do you want to go, neither what do you want to do or where you can find a good accommodation? Before you decide to do a typical, normal and not very interesting trip …..STOP and WAIT! We have the perfect solution for you: Come to Valencia and discover the city of arts and science!

Valencia - the city of arts and science

If you think that in Valencia you can only eat the Paella Valenciana or visit Las Fallas, then you’re completely wrong! The third biggest city in Spain gives you the possibility to dive into the world of culture and science which is full of historical, entertaining and enchanting events. The most outstanding thing in Valencia is the city of arts and science. It’s a spectacular architectural, cultural and entertaining complex which will captivate you. The famous architects and designers Santiago Calatrava and Felix Candela created this gigantic building which was inaugurated in the year of 1998 and is now the main attraction for most of the tourists in Valencia.

You can spend all days long in the Ciutat de les Arts I les Ciències, as it is called by the Valencianos, without getting bored in any moment. Valencia offers you the possibility to visit in this cultural space a huge amount of museums and expositions.

Why don’t you start your trip through the cultural and scientific world in the Museo de las Ciencia Príncipe Felipe? This interactive museum of science with a surface of 40.000m2 is divided into three floors. The architecture seems to have the form of the skeleton of a dinosaur. There you can discover the world of science and participate in a lot of workshops and activities which take place on the wonderful squares of this little enchanting city. Besides, the area has been the venue of uncountable cultural and society events, like for example the biggest European LAN Party.

L´Hemisfèric makes it possible for you to experience a real adventure: it is a huge IMAX cinema and a planetarium which will captivate you. This building stands also out because of its architecture which seems to be a big eye.

If you think that in the city of arts and science you will be locked in a lot of stuffy museums, then you’re wrong! In the L`Umbracle you can do a fascinating walk through its special gardens and from its suspended arches you can enjoy the best view over the city. In addition in the interior you can find the Paseo de las Esculturas where you can admire a gallery of incredible sculptures of contemporary artists under the open sky.
You also shouldn’t miss the L´Oceanogràfic, the biggest aquarium in Europe, as well as the Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofia, dedicated to music and eccentric arts, neither you should miss to visit the Puente de l`Assut de l´Or, whose pylon with a height of 125m is the highest point of the city. El Ágora is very interesting too, because it’s a spectacular square where a lot of concerts and sport events take place.

Las Torres Valencia, Castellón y Alicante are parts of a project which has the aim to construct skyscrapers of a height of 308m, 266m and 220m. A huge spectacle.

Why are you reading this article with your mouth wide open? Could it be that you are completely impressed? If that’s the case, you only have to organize your trip to the third biggest Spanish city and rent a comfortable apartments in Valencia. Your stay will be an unforgettable experience.