THE LADY OF IBIZA

LA DAMA DE IBIZA.... The Ibiza´s Lady...

In Madrid

Although in Ibiza there is an Archaeological Museum located in Puig des Molins, some of the pieces found in the same Puig des Molins and some other arqueological sites of Ibiza, are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Madrid. Among them is this figure of terracotta that is considered the representation of the goddess Tanit, that is about 50cm of height and dated of approximately of the III century a.c. The goddess Tanit who was like the protection of Carthage, was also the protection of Ebusus (Ibiza) the city founded by the Carthaginians and also was in charge of guarding the island of Ibiza. Tanit was the goddess of life, fertility, love, death, harvest, prosperity and the moon. This Lady of Ibiza, is one of the most important pieces of the Archaeological Museum of Madrid, and is very close to other great "ladies" of Hispanic geography, such as the lady of Elche or Baza among others.

But from the Pitiusas islands and perhaps more specifically from Ibiza, not only the Madrileño Museum owns its Lady of Ibiza, but more pieces found in the island, but of course, the most exceptional is this lady, who is an exceptional image of Terracotta by its profuse decoration of its clothes and by the jewels in its relief that adorns the bust and the head, also has a cavity in its back that perhaps could have served like reliquary or to deposit offerings. This statue was found on a tomb as a part of an offering, thats make think that the person buried there, could have been very important.

Unlike most of the works presented here in Madrid found in Puig des Molins of Ibiza, this one (pictured above) it has the origin at the Punic Sanctuary of Es Cuieram in Sant Vicent de Sa Cala at the north of the island, where there is a sanctuary cave in honor to the Goddess Tanit . In this case there is nothing that represents this figure and it is a debate among the experts if they are simple sculptures that represent orantes or representations of some deity of the Phoenician-punico pantheon or Greek.

This figure of clay was also found in the Puig des Molins,  somewhat more deteriorated than some others that are exposed. It is considered that it has in its style much of the Hellenistic aesthetic due to the great movement of clothes and its style. It follows the models of the time of Sicily or Carthage.

Another of the pieces that can be found in this museum is this one that represents a female figure also made in terracotta, which could represent decedent or deity. It could have been done between the 6th and 4th centuries BC. It also comes from an excavation in the area of Puig des Molins.

Also the Archaeological Museum of Madrid shows a collection of decorative objects, decorated and painted ostrich eggs, vases, masks, busts, bracelets, amulets, etc., found in different excavations in the archaeological zones of Ibiza and they can be seen in the exhibition. Ibiza is well present in this museum.

URBAN ART IN SAN ANTONIO

URBAN ART IN SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY

I must say that I'm not in favor of vulgar graffiti that I think normally disgrace walls and street furniture, but I must recognize that some ones are great art that we can enjoy meanwhile we walk around the town. Let´s have a look to some of them...

I must admit that I do not know who has been the idea, but I think it's great, you may not like all these murals there, but it gives it another go to some buildings and especially to their sidewalls.

One of these building with murals is the outside walls of the football field of the village, we must recognize that the two murals on their walls, give it another appearance to the building and by the way very original. Certainly one of the murals has nothing to do with another at the other side. One seems more cold due the black and white contrast meanwhile the other is full color, and a bit more "comic look"

Quite shocking this face of golden iguana with her watch, ring and chain which is eating grapes on a very lavish look. Certainly does not lack originality.
 
On a school wall, we can see a drawing on a very "science fiction" style. It´s composed of several drawings in a  somewhat futuristic way...

If we take a closer look we are provided with further details that we have not seen before far at distance. So a closer look to the body of the lady, reveal a field with a sky with a staircase where several people are climbing to try to reach the heart of this woman.

And though the goal has nothing to do with the mural, it seems that here is done on purpose to match with the drawing , it is obvious that the goal has nothing to do with the wall, or  with the small details of the bottom of the wall.

These drawings, draw attention in the streets where they are, and definitely not go unnoticed thanks to the color of some of them, Although others are more monochromatic style. But certainly not those, located above nor below these lines.

On a side of a building we can see a large squid in a fishbowl, where it seems there is not enough space to fit comfortably.

At a closer look, we notice the details of their tentacles and the kind of colorful that calling us much attention.

Another one is a silhouette, like this one located in a parking, among the parked cars the mythological horse "Pegasus" starts flying with its powerful wings ....
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Or as this one in another side of another building depicting a large water drop shared by different levels,  in each level, the different stories are developing.

The interpretation in some of these drawings is completely free, and may vary from a person to person but obviously here we can see from some soldiers running into battle in a level, and a number of factories in a complex in other, or a couple watching the news in a large room, or people purchasing, it is curious as shopping carts are empty.
In the image below we see a piece of mural, the same mural  which we began this post and is a detail of details, so closer we get more details we can see ....
Great idea of these murals and its impact on the village.