This open view of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, reveals the source of the maze that I showed last week.
On the left, we have the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, with its roof of straight lines, plus a few softening curves. At the back is the dome-shaped Àgora, slightly disguised by the net of cables on the classic Calatrava-designed bridge, the Assut de l’Or Bridge.
City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia, July 2019
Enjoying the view, are the seven cast iron heads of Silvia, Isabella, Laura, Asia, Maria, Minna, Carla, and Laurelle. These sedate sculptures are the work of Jaume Plensa and were one of the reasons I timed my visit to Valencia for last summer. They were on display from June to November 2019. Valencia is a city I will return to, but I think this space will look very empty without the gazing heads, who spread their serenity across the waters.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 5 June 2020
Posted as part of Weekend B&W
Travel with Intent 
I loved the city of arts and science! We visited there in 2018… With these statues there, the black and white photos result well!
Love it! 🙂
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Yes. It’s an amazing site. Some splendid modern architecture. I always enjoy finding a Calatrava Bridge and here he has been designing buildings as well as the bridge. The heads really added to that area. Would be good if they made displays in the water a regular thing.
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Yes, indeed. 🙂
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Wonderful photos! The lines and curves are so appealing, and the heads – amazing.
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Absolutely love it, fantastic shot!
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your photos are still as striking and beautifully composed as ever. This contemporary architecture is especially photogenic, but you know how to give the soul of a place.
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Thank you for such a wonderful comment 🙂 🙂 🙂
That is always the hard thing to do. I think you and I could chat and philosophise for hours about the question of how documentary a photo can ever be – facts versus what the photographer sees, feels, hears, …..
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I missed the heads. Love the City of Arts & Sciences though.
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Wow, quite a structure and the sculptures fit in gracefully.
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What a gorgeous building!
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Yes, it’s an amazing design. The park is a huge area and quite hard work in the summer heat but so worth seeing.
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Let me reveal my ignorance and ask who these women are and should I know them?
janet
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No. You might know the sculptor, who loves heads, but not the women. His sculptures are of real women, and these may well be their real names, but they aren’t well known people.
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Fascinating
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Ah, what a shame. I wasn’t there during that period. They look a great addition to the space.
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One of his heads is in Barcelona if you haven’t spotted it already
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Sadly not. Barcelona? It might as well be on the moon at the moment 😦
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