Viva Vibrancy

This week’s Thematic Photographic prompt from Carmi is ‘Vibrant’. According to my dictionary this can refer to people, colours or music. Living here in Lanzarote I appreciate the influence of the artist and architect, Cèsar Manrique, for whom we must thank, among other things, keeping our island from falling victim to the monstrous high-rise developments which have blighted other popular holiday destinations. 

This is one of his smaller wind sculptures, just outside his home, which is now a huge visitor attraction. Lanzarote is dotted with many examples, large and small, which bring their own vibrancy to the island.

His house, now Fundacion Cèsar Manrique, where he entertained many famous celebrities of the 60s and 70s, is made from a series of old volcanic bubbles and is testament to the vision of this creative genius. Celebrities of the 60s and 70s flocked to see the wonderful house. The mosaic mural above is in the garden of the house, and I only wish that the curators would remove the cacti which have gown steadily in front of it over a number of years. In my view these prevent us from appreciating the full grandeur and vibrant colours. Others may not agree with me, and perhaps Manrique himself would see it as a manifestation of that symbiosis between man, nature and art, which he championed.