Recently in Spain Category

For a city with such a rich artistic history, Barcelona is always looking forward, with artists creating works that define contemporary life and provide a glimpse into the future. The city's biggest collection of modern art can be found at the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, a gem of a museum in the city center that specializes in Catalan and Spanish art from 1945 to the present day. Located on the Placa dels Angels, it divides its collection into three main groups, the post-war era (1940's to 1950's), the cultural revolution (1960's and 1970's), and the present period, whose story is still being written. Among its highlights are a collection of 18 paintings and paper works by Catalan surrealist painter Joan Miró, the shocking three-dimension sculptures of Angel Bados, and the magical-realist paintings of Zush, one of Spain's most renowned painters. Barcelona being what it is, the building itself is a work of modern art. Designed by American architect Richard Meier and built between 1987-1995, it alludes to Le Corbusier in its combination of straight and curved lines, dialogue between interior and exterior space, and abundance of natural light. In other words, it's a perfect place to spend a day basking in some of the greatest Spanish art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Starwood has three Barcelona properties, including the stylish new W Barcelona.

[image via e-architect.co.uk]

Jazz isn't just music, it's a lifestyle. Over the last century, jazz has influenced so many aspects of world culture. With a fantastic new exhibition, "The Jazz Century," Barcelona's Center of Contemporary Culture traces the history of the 20th century while highlighting the relationship between jazz and the visual arts.

Organized chronologically in a multi-media timeline, fascinating exhibits combine historical video footage with audio samples, photographs, and artwork to illustrate this monumental evolution. Literature by F. Scott Fitzgerald and photographs by Man Ray depict the time after World War I known as "The Jazz Age." Then there's a section on the "Harlem Renaissance," which displays vibrant paintings by the African American artist Aaron Douglas alongside text by Langston Hughes. The "Wartime" section shows how Piet Mondrian was influenced by boogie-woogie, and how Henri Matisse was so moved by jazz music that he created a book inspired by it.

"The Jazz Century," which runs through October 18, provides an excellent look back at the art of the last century and the jazz culture that influenced it. Book a room at Le Meridien Barcelona or the W Barcelona, opening October 1, and in true jazz style, be among the first to stay at this extraordinary new architectural masterpiece.

The English poet Robert Graves (born 1895) lived in the charming town of Deià, Mallorca from 1929 to his death in 1985. Throughout his residency on the idyllic Spanish island, he drew scores of artistic luminaries to the area, with such stars as Ava Gardner, Alec Guinness, and Kingsley Amis dropping by to visit. Today, visitors can explore a number of Graves's former haunts, including the Graves House (pictured), the landmark 1932 building built by Graves and his companion Laura Riding. The picturesque two-story dwelling is known as Ca n'Alluny (the Far House), and has been restored to the way it looked when Graves resided here, with original furniture, wall hangings, and even light fixtures. But the house's most striking feature might be the garden, with winding paths past olive, carob, and almond trees, along orange, tangerine, and lemon groves. Elsewhere in Deià, poetic pilgrims can visit his favorite beach, Cala de Deià, as well as his final resting place in the churchyard on the hill. Starwood has three hotels on Mallorca, the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, the ArabellaSheraton Golf Hotel Son Vida, and the Castillo Hotel Son Vida.

[image via La Casa de Robert Graves]