Milano

Visiting Milan was a part of our ski trip this month. Pity, my leg didn't allow me to savor all the experience... I might have not enjoyed the city in full, but I'm sure that's just my leg talking. I guess I will have to come back some day, because I'm sure it is totally worth it.



A placard which attracted attention...




Best lunch we had during our stay in Italy this time - prosciutto, cheese, olives, fresh crispy bread, refreshing Lambrusco - very simple but extremely savoury and immensely enjoyed (so much better than that offered in the hotel..)


All images by Arek

GRAIN

Images by Olga

Some grainy shots from my friend's apartment
and our trip to New York some time ago...
...perfect in their imperfection

SpRiNg

Do you also feel spring in the air? :) This nice feeling of impatience and expectation - it is almost like falling in love...



Images by emmylinnea

Azulejos... Continued

A book on tile designs I bought this summer in Barcelona.
And some more images from my Portuguese azulejos collection...





















All images by Olga

Azulejos

The azulejo refers to a typical form of Portuguese or Spanish painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. They have become a typical aspect of Portuguese culture, manifesting without interruption during five centuries the consecutive trends in art.

Wherever one goes in Portugal, azulejos are to be found anywhere in the streets - inside and outside ordinary houses, churches, palaces, and even train or subway stations. They constitute a major aspect of Portuguese architecture as they are applied on walls, floors and even ceilings. They were not only used as an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity like temperature control at homes. Many azulejos chronicle major historical and cultural aspects of Portuguese history.

I couldn't stop photographing all the different patterns while I saw all this beauty around me in Portugal (I like to study patterns) - so I managed to gather a small photo collection of azulejos of my own.



















All images by Olga

And I have more patterns to come...