Spanish Quarter

“The architectural details and fountains are aspects of the street that often get overlooked because they have been there for years. These photographs will focus on the fountains and their detailed carvings,bringing them too life,” says 52-year-old Domingo,who began photographing his surroundings at the age of 13. Born into a working class family,he has been a passionate traveller who has been focusing his lens on the art and architectural aspects of cities.

The Gothic quarter,where Domingo and Puig have taken most of the photographs,is of the culturally vibrant part of the boulevard. It is dotted with placas (squares),art stalls,a majestic cathedral,fountains,wall friezes in bas-relief and little cornices that give the area the feel of ancient Rome. The photographs represent a walk along Diagonal Avenue. “While taking a stroll I focused on the upper part of buildings,to which we never pay attention and which sometimes are of great beauty. Some of these were palaces that nobility and rich families lived in,now they are occupied by banks,libraries and corporate buildings,” says Domingo.

The 10-kilometer avenue runs on,till it empties into the Mediterranean sea. “What is striking about the stretch I photographed is that all of these are sculptures of children — whether it is in the Red Riding Hood or Tom Sawyer,” says Domingo. The sculptures date back to the 1930s and 1940s and are part of the public art that characterises the boulevard.

Domingo’s dream is to bring out a book of his India photographs. “I am taking my cameras — Canon and Nikon digital — around Old Delhi,Rajasthan and I plan to take a trip up North,” says the photographer who also deals in movie memorabilia.

The exhibition is on till July 7 at the LAP Garden,Samrat Hotel