While in Madrid...

Time goes quickly when you are having fun! Have already met some amazing people... and am really enjoying getting into the Spanish way of life.
On arrival I was fed - a natural and instinctive element of life on the continent. Delicious fried fish and the typical dessert of Madrid, fresh cheese with quince, (see pic.1). The day I went to see to the National Museum of Decorative Arts - a small and rather old fashioned museum compared to our wonderful V&A, but with some gems!
(pic. 2).

I had three interview of which the last was actually a maker - one of the most respected Bullfighting costume makers in the world. Whatever your feelings towards the sport may be, you can not deny that the outfits are amazing. I spent a very happy couple of hours sitting amongst the seamstresses and talking to Señor Antonio. He was a charmer and more than happy to talk about the future of his trade.

His staff of 12 have no formal training except one girl from France who came over after graduating from a textile degree. There is no such thing in Spain. This is all about to change however with the Treaty of Bologna where all applied art courses can lead to a degree with the same kudos as any other subject. This however omits to address the 'old Masters', or highly skilled craftsmen and women who have neither the time or wish to go back to school. They end up missing out on some of the benefits now available, because they don't have the "qualifications" required! I need to look into this further and make sure all my facts are correct, if anyone can enlighten me further - please feel free!













The following day I went to the outskirts of Segovia where the National Centre for Glass is. It was brought to my attention by Katherine Coleman, who teaches there. I was really impressed with the set up and although it has its problems, due to the fact that it is funded by the government, I really hope it continues to attract the best glass artists in the world, which it is at the moment.

It has four roles; as a museum, as a school for advanced glass students and for unemployed workers, manufacturers and chandeliers repairers and as a research centre.

Here you can see the chandeliers that have been mended.



And here is a student paining on panels of glass.



Definitely worth a visit, for more information have a look at their website, although you might need a little help with the language: www.fcnv.es
(I shall be adding all links to the web database for apprenticeships.)

That's all I could fit in before leaving Madrid.
Next Granada.