As kids in our day, the old adage, children should be seen, but not heard, was often expected. Speak when you’re spoken to, the rule of thumb – or else. As an adult, biting one’s tongue, rather than proffering an opinion, becomes an art worth cultivating.
It’s an art, sadly, or not, that I find increasingly difficult. Maybe it’s a getting older syndrome. Maybe life experiences give you many more perspectives for comparison. Maybe it’s about time you were heard. I don’t know. What I do know, is that offering an opinion is very personal. Unique even.
In today’s techno age it’s become the norm. Better known as a ‘Review’. And everywhere you travel on the web it’s in high demand. We have come to respect the opinions of hundreds, or even thousands, of people we’ll never meet. ‘Influencers’ are in abundance. Making a living by monetisation. Adverts pop up out of thin air. Selling products we don’t want, or need, or maybe mentioned in a passing conversation, with phone in hand. But WHO exactly was listening? Thumbs up, rule – OK?
Today, the Line 1 Bus drops us off opposite the uninspiring looking cathedral. Its outer façade in need of some serious TLC, IMHO. Or perhaps, the intention is to leave it as is. To show it, as was, so to speak. Remain true to its original design. Never judge a book by its cover, and all that springs to mind. We can’t find out, right now. It’s closed for its afternoon siesta. Re-opens at 4pm. We decide to do an Arnie.
So, instead we nip over to find out what the Botin Art Gallery has to say for itself.
Looking like something straight out of Independence Day, its outer surface, covered with 270,000 ceramic discs, whets our anticipation.
Set over three floors it offers massive display areas. We pay our combined ‘Senior’ entrance fee of €4. A bargain we think. Until . . .
I have a suspicion. Or maybe it’s an opinion, that when an ‘artist’ feels it’s necessary to explain the thought processes behind their work, or what the work is, then it’s not art. Surely art is about the imagination of the creator, laying down a body of work that then inspires the imagination of the viewer. No words necessary.
Floors two and three beckon. We can hardly wait. We take the lift to floor three. The doors open revealing a taped off building site. Now that’s a novel art concept. Confused, we return to ground level. Unbeknown to us, the top two floors are closed due to preparations for the next series of exhibitions. Perhaps this was our lucky day.
We take the outside lift up onto the upper viewing area. It has a fun surprise waiting inside.
Lunch is pintxos – what else of course, then back to the cathedral, for another pleasant surprise.
Returning to the bus stop we pass the main post office – they don’t make-em like that anymore.
Urban living space is at a premium and the skyline testifies to that.
