#New Gallery /  by rick smee

CESTA PUNTA – JAI ALAI

#New Gallery up!  Check it out!

CESTA PUNTA – JAI ALAI

It’s not the easiest job describing Cesta Punta (jai alai) to someone who’s never seen it. It’s sweeping and whirling and violently fast. Claimed to be "the fastest sport in the world" because of the speed of the ball. In one smooth, continuous motion, the ball flies, pounding the facing wall, a player leaps to catch it in his chistera (xistera) and whips it back against the wall so hard the collision sounds like a shotgun blast. 

#New Work Les Saintes Maries de la Mer - Camargue /  by rick smee

Les saintes maries de la mer

Gypsy Pilgrimage
During the month of May, Roma, Manouches, Gitanos, Ciganos and Gypsies come from all over Europe descend upon a small village in the Camargue. The church in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer and the village itself play host to one of Europes most colourful festivals as the Roma attend the pilgrimage of their patron saint, Sara. During the festivities, a  statue of Sara, carried by the Gypsies to the sea, symbolises the waiting for and welcome of the Saints Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome.

Course Camarguaise
The week long festivities include bullfighting event, one of which is peculiar to the is part of the world, Course Camarguaise.The razeteurs compete against one another to remove, as quickly as possible, the objects placed between the bull's horns. These are strings, tassels and a cockade which each earn the razeteur a cash prize upon removing it.

New Work #A Mano 5 -Freed Of London /  by rick smee

A MANO 5 -FREED OF LONDON

Freed of London is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of professional dance shoe two-thirds of all Freed Classic pointe shoes are made to dancers specific requirements and are worn by Prima Ballerinas worldwide including Sylvie Guillem, Nina Ananiashvilli, Tamara Rojo as well as supplying some of the worlds' most prestigious ballet companies. This photo essay takes you through you through the manufacturing process examining the craftsmanship that goes into creating something so beautiful and robust.

From humble beginnings in London’s West End, Freed of London was founded by cobbler Frederick Freed in 1929. Working from a basement in Covent Garden, the same site where the brand’s flagship store now stands, Mr. Freed and his wife revolutionised the dance shoe industry by tailoring shoes to a dancer’s individual needs. To this day this philosophy remains, and Freed of London shoes continue to be made by hand in the UK.