Marina Barcelona H10

The Miro sculpture "Dona i Ocell" [Woman and Bird] doesn't really fall into either the "Must See" or "Tourist Trap" categories - that is why I have put it here in the "General Tip" section. Frankly, the sculpture itself is a bit of a disappointment. On the other hand, if you happen to be near the Placa Espanya underground station (Montjuic), it only involves going a couple of hundred yards out of your way. Location: parc d'escorxador at the junction of Carrer Tarragona [which links Placa Espanya with Placa de Sants] and Carrer d'Arago. It stands 22 metres (66 feet) high and was commissioned as part of Barcelona's 1983 public art initiative. An abstract sculpture, typical of Miro's work, it was considered frightfully daring in its day (at least by the locals, who were probably still reeling from the abortive coup d'etat a year earlier in 1982). Now it all seems rather tame. The concrete column is clad with broken coloured ceramic tiles (the work of Joan Artigas) to achieve a rough mosaic effect. The same technique - trencadis - is commonly found in Gaudi's architecture and interiors. To be honest, it would be much more in keeping with its setting if it were sited near the Miro Foundation. Instead, it is located in a rather featureless park with an ill-omened name - parc d'escorxador - [Slaughterhouse Park - for this is where thousands of animals met their maker]. The sculpture looks a little sad and out of place. To sum up, "take a butcher's"* [take a look] if you are in the neighbourhood but otherwise "give it the bird"* [give it a miss]. * Cockney slang.