Mystical element is the sun

ardent and hot like only himself

sometimes cloudy, rainy and doubtful

sometimes strong, firm and secure

Orange, yellow or light blue

whatever you want to be

how and when you want to

no questions, no doubts about yourself

Just wanting to want to be

to grow, to believe

to live and feel and laugh

to sometimes cry, but always rise

Shy, alone, unique being

furious and fearful

how could it be

Alone, tender, alive, he is red

the slow world passes at his feet

without grudges nor fears

no doubts, no rush, no breeze

only him

Soon I dream, I live, I believe

to go beyond to a future thing

a dream and a feeling, and a laugh

here and there he has to come

Sun:

even in your absence you leave light,

your peace, your place, your solitude

even in your absence you are present

with hot brushstrokes captured in steam

Calm, smooth, intact water down below

with no worries, no memories to flow

fluid it dances and elapses here and there

being, seeing, hearing, going where?

Colored mist that attracts, what do you hide?

captivates, embraces, overwhelms

the secrets of heaven

ephemeral, agile, soft as the wind

Furtive, fleeing time that escapes at birth

where have you gone? where have you gone?

at the beginning or escaped suddenly to the end?

I have never seen such power, such energy and vitality in the ocean as in Nazaré, Portugal. Each strong wave, large and noisy is a reminder that this planet is alive and active. Almost flown with the wind, I immerse in a landscape of high energy. Everything around me is naturally moving: the ocean, the wind, birds flying, trees and grass try desperately to hold on to earth. I feel part of this movement, I jump and I am dragged by the wind. I feel alive. There is power all around us, and power within us, everything we know, see, hear and feel is energy. These waves, this landscape is a gift and it is only a small window to all of earth's wonders. It is our responsibility to respect, coexist and protect this planet, our own, one and only beautiful home.

Rotterdam Port is the largest in Europe and the ninth in the world. It extends over a length of 42 km with nine terminals dedicated to various uses and industries. On December 2017, I was able to have a guided visit to the impressive Port of Rotterdam. This picture was taken from the office building of Terminal # 9 (Rotterdam World Gateway – RWG) during cargo loading operations of a barge working with two gantry cranes (middle of the picture).

RWG is a “fully electrical terminal with a high degree of automation” (RWG). The two containers on the left are being carried by two of the 59 Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) at RWG. AGVs work with no driver nor remote control, but are electric vehicles with specific commands and utilize sensors to navigate their surroundings. Also, the gantry cranes are operated remotely from the office building I was standing on. These electric tools contribute to keep the container terminal surprisingly organized, clean, and quiet.

This picture captures the concept of David Harvey’s Theory of Urbanization under Capitalism. First, the Spatial Fix is an injection of capital into the built environment, either recycling buildings or constructing new ones. RWG represents an investment in high-technology infrastructure in the urban environment, and it has an impact in society by creating employment and propelling the local, regional and international economy. The spatial fix also serves, or is a direct reflection of, the technology fix.

Technology Fix is the reinvestment of surplus capital in new and improved productive capacities, i.e. in new sectors, products, processes or tools creating innovation and new rounds of economic growth. The AGVs and long-distance operated cranes are investments in innovative operational processes to increase terminal productivity. Automation allows faster loading and discharging of containers in and out of vessels, decreases the risk of errors, increases customer satisfaction and reduces operational costs. Also, by not having any stevedores, RWG reduces safety hazards for employees and liability for the terminal.

RWG is also an asset in itself, this is the Financial Fix. The total investment in this terminal has been approximately 700 million euros (RWG). It is the most technologically advanced, efficient, and therefore, the most expensive terminal in Rotterdam. RWG extracts ‘rents’ from expensive fees charged to vessel operators and freight forwarders, and is also a potential for capital gains, as it gains value due to its high degree of automation, efficiency, good quality service, and acquired reputation among customers and vendors.

This shows that uneven urban development is structural, not accidental. It follows different patterns of investment and disinvestments which, depending on profitability, produce different space configurations. The spatial fix, RWG in this case, implies immobilization of large amounts of capital into the container terminal, which is expected to have capital gains, but can also devalue and eventually be destroyed and replaced. This is yet another example of David Harvey’s famous observation that “Capitalism never solves its crises problems, it just moves them around geographically”.

This photo of a street in Barcelona was made by me once when I went with my friends partying before quarantine and before COVID hit us. This is the reason why it transmits me good vibes and good memories. One week after this day the quarantine started and everything went down. The place is near Catalunya square, and I made the photo because the amazing sky that we were seeing. If you asked me how I would describe this experience with three words I would describe it as funny, because we were laughing all the time, as euphoric, because the exciting moment, and as happy because I was feeling really happy.

In this place, is the first time that I saw my brother, it was at this moment my life changed but now, he is my favourite person and the most important in my life. I will always remember this moment because it was a new beginning.

Winner of the fourth prize of the A-Place Mapping contest "Share your experience of places" 2021

The image is set against the massive compound wall of the 8th century Sri Parthasarathy temple complex dedicated to Lord Krishna located at Tiruvellikeni, Chennai. Deriving its name from the holy tank, Tiruvellikeni remains subconsciously indissociable with the temple context.

The image captures a scene of the weekly market held along the streets bordering the temple complex. The market is a major attraction amongst the local people as it offers a variety of things catering to all age groups, from toys to household utensils at a reasonable price. Apart from this, the market is especially popular for its additional entertainment such as balloon shooting, ‘robot’ astrology and handicraft making, adding more vibrancy to the overall experiences of the market.

 Interestingly the mind’s eye needs to delve deeper into the multiple layers embedded within the scene to comprehend the underlying connotations of peoples’ lived experiences of the marketplace. Amidst all these ‘visible’ aspects of the market, a significant feature that blends perfectly with the colourful and lively ambience so as to transform itself almost into an ‘invisible’, is the temple’s compound wall. Humbly playing a perfect backdrop for the shops arranged along its entire length, it firmly connects people with the context at various levels. Functionally its physical continuity creates a sense of direction and movement for people amidst the busy and crowded settings of the market environment. In its immediate context the temple’s compound wall partly painted (red and white) below symbolising auspiciousness and its natural colour and texture on the top evoking a strong sense of past, plays a passively active role in reassuring the cultural identity of people. In the larger context, the temple itself acts as a metaphor for continuity in time, subconsciously providing the required sense of stability and security amidst the rapid changes of modern society.

  Linked strongly to the temple context, the tangible aspects of the marketplace, people, objects and colours interpenetrate and superimposes onto one other, creating a strong sense of identity both at an individual and collective level. There exists a momentous transactional relationship between people and the place, where people identify themselves with the place and in turn, the place reciprocates in reassuring their identity physically, symbolically and metaphorically thereby firmly anchoring people to their lives. This great ability of place to ‘orient’ people amidst the rapid changes of modern society is a panacea for the present era of alienation. Remarkably, the wall not only acts as a physical backdrop for the market but unconsciously ‘situates’ people in their everyday living, establishing a profound and meaningful relationship with the physical world –the very essence of human existence.

 The market scene epitomises the richness of intangible aspects of places rendering the meaning to our tangible experiences in everyday life, asserting the extraordinary power of ‘place’.

Winner of the fourth prize of the A-Place Mapping contest "Share your experience of places" 2021

A little over a year ago and in the middle of winter, I arrived in this wonderful city. When I was still in my country, Spain, I remember that people were surprised when I told them that I was going to study in such a stereotypical country for them. I didn't mind, I was leaving my country just to live emotions and to wise up in a foreign country where I didn't even speak the language and English is not widely used. And I have no regrets.

Spending a semester in St. Petersburg has been one of the best life experiences I’ve ever had. I could live situations that I wouldn’t have been able to live in any other country and to open my mind much more. At first I accepted the residence offered by the university thinking that I’d only spend the first few nights. I didn't like the conditions of the building and the idea of sharing a room, but as soon as I spent the first night, it was clear to me that this was my place.

I took this picture on my second night, it was in the afternoon and the heavy snowfall that began to fall gave me the excuse to propose to my roommate from Korea to go out to see the snowy center. From that moment on, we became friends and had a great time in Russia.

Winner of the fourth prize of the A-Place Mapping contest "Share your experience of places" 2021

If you might be walking down the Rue des Brigittines in Brussels and seeing wired windows with white curtains, this might be Chapelle's vacant train station. Humble by its looks, invisible to the eye of an occasional passer-by, these layers are telling a story of a Jonction's monumental infrastructure, once planned as a "public dream" and now quietly unused. Sidelined by graffiti, covered with curtains, it reflects the truth of today but nonetheless invites to imagine what might be hiding under the wrinkles of the past.

i'm interior architect student in the north of cyprus. most of the time i'm walking around historical ruins in the city. in this view we passed near the st George of the Latins (the remains of one of the earliest churches in famagusta) and in one moment i had strange feeling . it was as if all the energy was there. i though for a moment what had happened here , what people have lived here . and once i came back to the present and saw in what calm and good weather i'm passing by this historic ruins with my best friend (my dog) and i quickly felt the past and present in one moment.

Much of Ho Chi Minh City is made up of a network of Alleyways, called Hems. These city spaces act as playground, market and shared extensions to the home. This picture captures a rare moment of peace in these normally busy spaces. The red chair, waits to be occupied as the owner goes in search of coffee.

We have been in our homes for over a year.  We work online, at least we try to work.  This photo actually shows that how I have spent the last year.  While looking at the screen at the desk... The objects that I touch the most are a keyboard, mouse, pen and cup.  I don't even want to see them anymore.  This process has taught me how much we humans need each other.  I realized how positive the effect of even seeing a smile is.  Despite this, we still continue to treat each other badly, I guess, even if people live through the worst disasters, they cannot learn to value, love and respect each other.

Patrimoni Vilanova i la Geltrú

Autor: ôscar Estruga i Andreu (2007)

Material: bronze