Living at the Barbican
Intimidating from outside
an enclosure
quite from inside
almost cut out from the rest of the world
A home that is safe
and opens to light and inspiration
A spiritual being almost
The word Barbican comes from the word barbecana in Latin which meant a fortified gateway like a castle or a tower. Built-in the 60s and then the 80s, The Barbican estate was home for my summer in London. Post world war 2, this complex was designed by Chamberlin, Powell & Bonis( a leading architectural firm) and set an example of brutalist architecture in England. Barbican happens to be Europe’s largest arts and culture centre that includes a theatre, a concert hall, an art gallery, a public library, restaurants and bars, residential blocks and many open spaces.
For creatives, inspiration comes from many places. Barbican’s proximity to chic neighbourhoods, overlooking ponds and parks, and many cultural events made my stay a learning experience. Lee Krasner, an American abstract expressionist’s works showcased this September. With a strong speciality in collage and charcoal paintings, Krasner’s use of colours fascinated me staying true to the theme of “Lee Krasner: Living Color,” curated by Eleanor Nairne.