Lleida’s unique building receives one of the world’s most prestigious architecture awards. The city’s Mayor, Àngel Ros, is said to be proud and highlighted that 75,000 people have already gone through the cultural and business facility since its opening in 2010. La Llotja, designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo and the Catalan Labb Arquitectura, can be used as a theatre or a conference centre.
Plensa is the artist behind the famous ‘Crown Fountain’ in Chicago’s Millenium Park, as well as London’s blue light ‘Breathing’ located on the roof of the BBC’s Egton House, dedicated to journalists killed in action. ‘Echo’ is a giant white head with closed eyes, similar to ‘Dream’ set in Liverpool. Plensa’s sculptures deal with human forms, communication, emptiness and a globalised identity.
The Sónar Music Festival of advanced music and multimedia art wrapped up its Chicago edition this weekend, filling the famous Millennium Park with concerts, projections and art. Festival organisers are very satisfied with the outcome in Chicago and are now planning editions in cities like London and Tokyo.
The first edition of Sónar Chicago kicked off yesterday with an inaugural show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s famous Millennium Park. Musicians Jimmy Edgar, The Slew, Kid Koala, Bradien and Faraón opened the 3-day festival with their much-anticipated performances. The festival will continue on Friday and Saturday in the Chicago Cultural Center where the up-and-coming Catalan artist bRUNA will play on Saturday.
The Chicago edition of the Sónar Music Festival will take place this September. Four Catalan bands are scheduled to play in the American echo of the electronic music festival held in Barcelona.