It seems appropriate that a building as unusual and imposing as the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín should be located in an area of Santa Cruz where quirks are as common as sunny days.
Opposite the Auditorio is the Black Fort, an historic contrast that’s more than 350 years younger. Above the fort is the lush curve of the Palmetum whose palms are framed by snow clad mountains on a warm February afternoon in Tenerife. Off to one side are the colourful circular tanks at the refinery, not the most aesthetic of vistas but at least they’ve made an effort.
Most curious of all are the rocks of a hundred faces.
The huge blocks protecting the Auditorium from the Atlantic were transformed a couple of years ago by a Bulgarian artist called Stoyko Gagamov, who turned the dull shapes into an unusual outdoor art gallery by painting portraits of famous musicians on them.
The game is to find your favourite. As we waited for lunch to be cooked at the Auditorio’s Bravo Bistro I went in search of mine.
Amy Winehouse’ position next to Brahms brought a smile. Unfortunately Liszt was missing from this scene.
There are quite a few portraits of the King of Pop.
One of the few faces that don’t belong to a musician, the late Adán Martín, the Canarian politician responsible for the fact that the Auditorium exists.
A sea of famous faces.
Tinerfeños don’t need sand to sunbathe.
Jimi, Bob and another bloke taking pictures of the rocks.
Simply John.
David, Giuseppe and Tom; an eclectic international mix.
And finally the one I was searching for, the Lizard King himself, the great Jim Morrison.
I’m not going to list who else is there, there are some unusual inclusions, as that would spoil the fun.
Next time you visit the Auditorium stick your head over the sea wall to see if you can spot your favourite musicians.
Jack is co-owner, writer and photographer for BuzzTrips and the Real Tenerife series of travel websites as well as a contributor to online travel sites and travel magazines. Follow Jack on Google+
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