Big things are happening in the arts world in humble little Alicante, Spain. Right now, Roman Polanski is filming his latest film about Pompeia, perhaps the most expensive film ever, in Alicante's Ciudad de la Luz, an ultra modern filming studio situated at the intersection of route 322 and the turn-off to the beaches of Urbanova, just outside of town on the way to the airport. Recently Alicante has been getting visitors from Hollywood, including recently some chick who's on a popular housewives' series over there, so it looks like the word is getting out.
But the birth of the film industry is not all that's new in Alicante. In fact, some say that all that is new is just something old recycled. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, Edith Piaf, the French starlet, used to go slumming in Alicante and there is a bar that celebrates her escapades near the plaza Gabriel Miro, much to the chagrin of the bar owner's wife. In addition, jazz greats have been spotted about town and Alicante hosts a top notch jazz festival each summer. In this regard, work has started on the Municipal Auditorium, which is going to transform an ugly parking lot in Campoamor into an arts destination with a Garcia Solera "modern retro" structure designed in the late 1980s. Calatrava would be out of place in Alicante anyway. Sorry about the previous post, Sr. Garcia Solera, as I've come around now, but the offer to knock back a martini and talk about old times remains valid.
But back to the theme of all that's new is something old recycled, the Pozo de Garrigos and Ceramic Museum have reopened their doors after having been closed for reformation for a number of years. The Pozos and Ceramic Museum are located together at the base of Parque Ereta, on the southern side of the castle Santa Barbara.
And just a block away is a huge construction project for the MACA, the Museo de Arte Contemporario de Alicante. The plans are impressive, see below:
This museum of contemporary art will house works by the venerated Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Juan Gris, and Joan Miro, among others of the Spanish vanguard. And by the looks of it, the museum will be complete in 2008. Ojala, because it's going to be spectacular!
All of which, in combination with the metro expansion and AVE (high velocity train), will make Alicantinos proud of the 'little city that could.' Here's to a great 2008 - everyone please enjoy your 12 grapes and cava this noche vieja, and have a happy new year!
