Field Study - El Raval

Field Study - El Raval

April 9, 2014

1.  The Raval is a new and up and coming area that is becoming more popular in Barcelona.  This area has been rebuilt with the gentrification process.  Over the past few decades, the Raval has gone from an area where people are afraid to go because they think it is unsafe to a desirable location in Barcelona. One of the reasons for this is the amount of public spaces where people can go and hang out.  This area has become popular for young kids to meet up with friends and to enjoy different restaurants, bars and stores.  There are many spaces for public use: a playground outside of an elementary school, open spaces for kids to skateboard and hang out by the MACBA, the courtyard of the CCCB which is where many people choose to hang out, especially during the summer and spaces near the public university where many political and social movements start.  These public spaces are a great way for young kids to meet others and for youths to congregate when they are done with school for the day.  While we were on our field trip, I saw many people skateboarding outside the MACBA and some other students hanging out outside of the public University.  The public spaces are very large so many people can meet up with friends or sit quietly.  Some of the grounds are paved while others are still dirt.  I saw a lot of people taking advantage of the nice weather while on our field trip and I can only imagine what it is like during the summer months when there are lots of students out there in the public areas.  I think it is a great thing that during the gentrification process that they included these public areas because it makes the area of the Raval more inviting and appealing.

2.  On a Barcelona city map, the Raval is located near Plaza Catalunya, Las Ramblas and El Born. Outside of El Raval are some of the main tourist areas in Barcelona so I was surprised this area wasn't so touristy.  I saw many locals there, maybe because it was in the middle of the day.  I was also surprised this area didn't have many chain clothing or restaurants (that I saw) because it was so close to popular areas where these are.  It gave the Raval its own feel that it wasn't like other places in Barcelona.  Being so close to major areas in Barcelona made it feel like it was going to be more commercial but I was surprised and happy to see it wasn't.

3.  There are many public buildings that we saw on our field trip but these were the ones that made the biggest impression:

MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art): This building is in front of a big open space where people like skate and hang out with their friends.  It is seen as a great meeting point for local youths to because of its location to many other places near by.  This is also where the Sony Music Festival takes place, adding more appeal to this area and attracting even more people while it is going on.  This building was really modern and one could tell it had recently been redone.  I can see why people would want to hang out there because it brings a cool, youth vibe to the area.

Public University: The Public University is opened to all people whether or not you actually attend school there.  Its doors are usually open so anyone can sit in on a lecture and learn.  While we were there, many students were outside hanging out with their friends or smoking cigarettes.  By all the posters put up around the courtyard of the entrance, someone could tell this area was made for youths. Political and social movements usually come from here because of the abundance of young people who congregate in this area.  I thought it was neat to see other students at school and how they interact with their friends just like we do.

CCCB: This was a very large and open space in the courtyard outside of the CCCB.  It is all new and someone can tell this because of the nice flooring, the newly planted trees and the clean surroundings. If you look up,  you can even see the reflection of the city and the ocean.  In the summer, this courtyard is packed with families and friends because they play movies through a projection screen on the side of the building.  It is really cool how they took an old structure of a building and turned it into a space where people of all ages can use and enjoy.

4.  Here are 5 pictures that I found interesting while walking around the Raval:

This was some graffiti I walked by while on our field trip.  Considering this area is a place where young people like to hang out, it is really not surprising that there is graffiti here.  I think graffiti is really cool to see because it is a form of expression that is different everywhere you go.  Throughout my time in Barcelona, I have seen a lot of graffiti but I like how this was in a new area that I haven't seen.  This is different than other graffiti and you can tell younger people did this as their way of showing the alternative culture they have here.

This was a cool vintage shop that we walked by.  It had pink guitars (as you can see in the picture) and even wedding dresses hanging from the ceiling.  It was a thrift store but with interesting articles of clothing inside.  I can picture kids my age who are into the alternative lifestyle that goes on here going into this store and finding some really different clothes to wear.  Vintage stores are neat because sometimes the older something is, the cooler is becomes overtime.  This totally goes along with the alternative culture that goes on in this area.

I wasn't really sure what this picture was, but I really liked it.  It looks like graffiti but in all black and white which is different than others I have seen.  I saw this on the end of our field trip.  It almost looks to me like it has an Asian influence it it because of the black and white colors and the images that are depicted.  This could have to do with the alternative lifestyle because different groups of people could hang out here and use different forms of expressions and methods to show their interests.

This was a mural on a wall that was directed to ending the hate against AIDS.  I know that the Raval gentrification process started in the late 1980s-1990s which is when the AIDS epidemic was sweeping countries all over the place.  I liked how this was here because it made it seem like it was an open community since it preached tolerance.  This was another way an artist was able to contribute to the alternative lifestyle here by putting his own ideas about a controversial topic on a public place where everyone can see.

This was a picture I took while standing outside of the Public University.  The Public University is where many students meet to talk about different social and political issues going on and even start demonstrations and protests.  This definitely adds to the alternative lifestyle because young students are just starting to form their own opinions on different topics.  They are the ones who will be the leaders someday so their views are important.  Having their own opinions and being able to voice them in a positive way I think is a great thing.  

5.  I think the Raval has become the main alternative place in Barcelona because of its appeal to the youth.  There are so many public spaces for kids to hang out, get out of the house and explore new restaurants, bars and stores.  Since the public university is there as well, there will always be students wandering around this area.  It is also a great area for them to go because the surrounding areas of Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas are very touristy; this is an easy escape from busy areas. The open spaces gives them a sense of freedom in all aspects - freedom of expression through art, graffiti and murals, different kinds of clothing stores and places outside of the homes to explore.  With this area becoming a new part of Barcelona, it gives even more incentive for youngsters to explore it and take advantage of it.  The open spaces add a great affect of freedom because it gives them more space to do their own thing without the authority being around at all times.