citylikeyou — Benches of Madrid — Madrid by Lucas Levitan

Madrid / Other / Area / Place

For those who like looking without truly seeing, walking without thinking and see themselves as mere useful cogs - benches are, in fact, useless objects in a big city. However, for many Spanish people, benches are the last paradise for contemplation and hope in places where there is no time for such ‘waste’. Benches are an invitation to stop. They are a place to turn our backs to cars, buses and motorbikes and watch inwards. Benches take us to invisible places inside our heads. They help us watch passers-by as if we are watching a movie. A movie featuring real, everyday characters. And those sitting are actors as well. They become both audience to and player in a huge live theatre. The drama is built frame by frame, minute by minute. This is the way that life passes for those who contemplate the invisible. The bench helps us to look outwards to the city and inwards to ourselves, and to watch the great cinema that is the city. And a city like Madrid is full of amazing stories. foto by Eneida Serrano

Address
Benches of Madrid, https://goo.gl/maps/FvbRGXDCUBM2, Madrid, Spain

Artist Creative Director Illustrator Designer Art Director Visual Artist

Current city: Madrid

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Lucas Levitan is an illustrator today, filmmaker last week, photographer last month and art director last year. A new cycle might start again soon. A few years ago, whilst lunch break walking on Redchurch Street in East London, a brick fell from the 4th floor scaffolding of a building site and missed his head by millimeters. It made him think he should be doing more or what he loves, drawing. It was a turning point. That same moment he went back to the office he used to work for and resigned. Now he’s lost and happier.

More Places in Madrid 27

Madrid / Art Centre

Conde Duque is a contemporary creation center, a nice place to go to see concerts and expositions. It always has an interesting program going on. Every year several design and dance festivals are held and in summer you can enjoy a summer cinema. Conde Duque has become an essential pillar of Madrid’s cultural activity. It is proud to be one of the city’s three large metropolitan cultural centres, alongside Matadero Madrid Contemporary Arts Centre and CentroCentro. Conde Duque can be found in the university district, or Universidad, right in the centre of Madrid. Universidad is an area that stands out for two great reasons: for its wide and rich heritage and for its concentration of cultural activity.

Madrid / Architecture

A piece of Egypt in the city centre. This temple, a gift from the Egyptian government, was taken stone by stone from the valley flooded when the Aswan Dam was built. It’s a great place for a picnic in the summer. You can enjoy the sunset and the (grey) skyline of Madrid.

Madrid / Place

Though you might say the city is full of colors, from Velazquez's tones of greys to Miro's vivid strokes and shapes. From Goya's darkness to Picasso's blues, Rastro's potency and variety of people and fabrics, or even shop windows for tourists full of Sevillanas and colorful magnets - the biggest canvas is above all of us. It's hard to beat the intense blue of Madrid's sky. I have no idea if Giotto has been here, but I'm pretty sure he was inspired by Madrid's sky to paint Padua's chapel's ceiling. The smoothest blue of Madrid's sky lies in contrast with the dryness and ocre buildings and landscape gives me torticollis. The colors may vary from mediterranean sea, Yves Klein Blue and Pantone 293C. It doesn't matter how it's defined - it is, for me, a boost of cheerfulness in any place and mindset I find myself in. I won't be able to touch or reach the blueness of this sky, but it touches me. Deeply. And I happily allow it.

Madrid / Art Centre

Medialab Prado is the coolest place to work, to collaborate, to do workshops, to participate in events and conferences. They are the nicest people in the planet doing such interesting programs. My favorite is Interactivos. It is also a good place to meet new friends and go afterwards for beers in the bars around Lavapies, a district full of art galleries and Museums.

Madrid / Bar

One of my favourite places to enjoy a beer bathed in orange lights and layered walls. They used to give concerts downstairs. Unfortunately they got recently banned due to boring local regulations - hopefully, live music will return soon amongst their palm trees and tropical lights.