buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
The eighth day of the workshop was attended by Jess and Maria-Isabel. Jess devoted the entire day to painting the benches. We had set this day as the last day to be used for waterproofing. The last ninth day was to be reserved exclusively for remaining work and improvements to the finished objects.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
The children’s stools assembled the day before could also be waterproofed.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
Jess continued working tirelessly on the benches all day.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
The impregnation is always carried out after the boards for the seats have been dismantled. This prevents the dark impregnation from seeping into the mostly untreated wood of the seats.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
The MUARCO bench has a seating surface and a flap to protect the works of art in the exhibition space.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – building a drawer – second attempt
Marie-Isabel is working on her fossil swap bench and adjusting the newly designed drawer.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-08 – impregnations without end – make it black today
In the foreground is Tina and Dirk’s special bench. Without the boards for the seats, it looks almost like a “normal bench”. Tomorrow this secret will be revealed.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – Sanding and polishing seat surfaces with the flex
The seats for the benches are sanded and polished. At the same time, sharp edges and splinters are removed. The edges are slightly rounded so that users are not at risk of injuring themselves on chips later. We use special discs for the angle grinder. The discs are actually intended for metalworking, but they allow us to use the wide pallet wood for longer and – particularly important – they tolerate individual nails or screws that stick out and are then sanded down at the same time.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – construction of a special drawer
Marie-Isabel is building a special bank for exchanging fossils – which can be found in many places in the fields here in the Cervera del Maestre area. The archaeologist will also offer rare semi-precious stones for exchange in the bench.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – a special surface design
Another bench is prepared for painting. The seating area has already been pre-sorted.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – another special surface design
The MUARCO art project is also getting a bench. The new branch will serve the purpose of exchange, just like the wooden box that was inaugurated on January 1, 2025. This branch is already enjoying interested and committed visitors.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – seats for the kids – polished top surfaces
There will be special seating for the children. The cubes were made from small special pallets. Today they were cleaned and sharp edges were rounded off with an angle grinder. In the next step, the substructures will be impregnated and the seats will be painted with clear varnish.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – sanding a special toy for the kids
Dirk is working on a special children’s toy.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – sanding a box
Marie-Isabel makes compartments in the drawer.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – the toy – bench – surprise – surprise
The casino has been sanded and is being prepared for painting.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – the next bank ready to paint
Another bench gets its design.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-07 – part of the toy bench
This piece of equipment will later be mounted on the toy bench, any idea what it could be?
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – little seats for the kids
On day 6 of the workshop, some small cubes were put together that will later serve as seats for the “little ones”. The blocks are very stable but still light and can then be easily pushed across the floor. The blocks are also suitable for building a makeshift table or other work surface. They could also be used as side tables, for example.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – catering – the importance of a break
At 1 p.m. everyone in the team takes a break of about an hour. This social time is the most important hour in the workshop because it is the time for establishing and deepening contact. People exchange phone numbers and emails, arrange to meet later, tell each other how it went and what motivated them to take part, and invite each other to visit. New constellations arise again and again and the turnover of information is high, binding and helpful.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – Ingo working on a bench
There were people who were invited to take part and who declined because they felt that it was not “their village” and that taking part in such a project would not make sense for them. Others, like Ulrike and Inge, drove an hour to take part. Even though they came from another Spanish province, they thought it was good and worthwhile.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – Marie-Isabel working on a bench
This is where the “fossil exchange” bench is being set up, and not by chance. Maria-Isabel is an archaeologist and fossils often provide important information for the classification and classification of a site. The fields of the municipality of Cervera del Maestre are rich in fossils. Visitors often flock out after rainy days to find fossils. Now there will be a bench that will encourage the exchange.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – cartas de amor – bench top finish
The “Cartas de Amor” bench received its seat cover today. After impregnating the substructure, cover boards were selected and screwed on. Thanks to Dirk and Martina’s professional tools, this cover could be sawn to fit perfectly.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-06 – cartas de amor – bench top finish – backside
Four benches are now almost finished in the CASAdelDRAGON and this evening they were painted with highly resistant water-based paint (a tip from Wilma! – THANK YOU!). There will be pictures of this tomorrow.
Another substructure is being completed with a box underneath the seat. This will house the “new” library of Alexandria. The book box will later invite people to exchange books and will be registered online.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-05 – more structures to paint
The substructures are impregnated and then stored until it is decided which “social interaction” is to be offered there. This substructure is then adapted, extended and then pre-painted and impregnated again. All of this happens before the seats are designed and manufactured.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-05 – juego de molino – the first bench nearly ready
The game of Nine Men’s Morris is over 3500 years old. There are many variations. The first bench #buenavistacerveraNo. 01 in this project invites you to play Nine Men’s Morris (instructions in ESP, EN and DE).
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-05 – cartas de amor – the second bench – still missing the top
#buenavistacervera bench No. 10 from this project is called “cartas de amor”. It allows lovers in the area to hide love letters for their loved ones and then lure them to the place where this bench will later be installed by the municipality of Cervera del Maestre…
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-04 – one quote of many that will be displayed on the benches
Art is a means of communication. As such, it conveys personal messages. These often find their way into public spaces. This message is aimed at those who know about their love.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-04 – pre-assembly of the seat surfaces
On the fourth day, the first seating surfaces were completed and pre-assembled. In this step, the wood is arranged and aligned according to the design and then sawn to the desired length. After pre-assembly, the cover boards are unscrewed again and the substructure is impregnated.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-04 – pre-assembly of the basic structure for the next bench
Marie – Isabel is working at her bench.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-04 – Impregnation of the base frames for the benches
Marie – Isabel is painting the substructure. She will assemble and sand the seat surface in the next few days.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-04 – trencadis
Francesca and Monica design a bench as a tile mosaic. The two sisters have chosen a very special social sculpture: the bench of truth! – More on this in the next few days.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-04 – Inscription of a social sculpture – the bank for love letters
A laser cutter is used in the project. This is used to create inscriptions and burn them onto the wood. These plaques will be attached to the social sculpture “Bench for Love Letters”.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – Sanding, planing and sawing for a good cause
On the third day we had a visit from three families with lots of children. We were able to prime and waterproof the first benches.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – design of the seat surface
The guests took the opportunity to implement their own design ideas. This is social art as it should be.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – cutting wood and mounting benches
Jess came on the third day and chose her own tasks and worked autonomously. Knowing that life in FamiliaFeliz is simple and uncomplicated makes things much easier. The level of self-organization is high and should not be slowed down at any time if possible.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – cutting wood and mounting benches
Fidel and Monica build another substructure.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – cutting wood and mounting benches
At the “Table of Orientation” Anke is building a social sculpture within the social sculpture.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – cutting wood and mounting benches
New teams are constantly forming spontaneously to work together to build a bench.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – Impregnating the substructure
Miet and Zoe impregnate further substructures.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – structure of the seat surface
Nick decides on the design for the surface of his bench.
buenavistacervera-workshop-day-03 – impregnating the wood
Rent impregnates a substructure.
The third day brought many new faces to the House of the Dragon. As always, the lunch break was an important social moment for exchanging ideas and getting to know each other. Thanks to Jordi for the treats for the children, thanks to Antje and Corinna for the secret organization and the catering.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-02 – dis – assemble more pallets
On the second day of the workshop, a few new participants arrived. In order to further clean up the work environment and prepare more material for the next few days, even more pallets were dismantled.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-02 – store and select prepared pieces
Pre-cut boards were stored in a suitable location. This makes it easier to select them when the seats for the pallet benches are later made. The boards are sorted according to thickness, length, wood quality and type of wood.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-02 – more pre – fabrication
Further panels were dismantled and particularly thick boards were prepared for later static tasks in the substructure of the benches.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-02 – more basic structures for benches
Particularly good pallets are split in the middle. The two side parts are later screwed together to form a bench.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-02 – base of trencadis – bench
Dilan was still keen to continue until late into the night. So it was decided to convert one of the benches into a “trencadis” bench and that same evening a concrete slab was poured into a previously built frame. The concrete slab is reinforced and strengthened with wire and fabric. Tomorrow it will be covered with tile mosaics.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – the working area
2025-01-02 we started the workshop #buenavistacervera in the CASAdelDRAGON in Cervera del Maestre.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – the working material
First, we laid out many pallets, pre-sorted the wood, removed the nails from the boards and cut pieces that were no longer usable to size ready for the oven.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – the workbench from Tina and Dirk
As always, a temporary workplace had to be built first.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – miet fighting with the nails
In order to knock out crooked nails, we use pliers.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – Jep dismantles the pallets
When dismantling the pallets, the wood is pre-sorted. We use long crowbars and long squared timbers with good leverage.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – Square timber used as a lever
The squared timbers are particularly suitable because they offer a larger support when lifting the boards. Nevertheless, some boards break through. But that’s not a bad thing. The wood shows us in this first step which parts are to be used later for the static construction and which are not.
buenvistacervera-workshop-day-01 – the first frames for benches are pre-assembled
The very good work result for the first day, 6 base frames for benches are already pre-assembled. We are looking forward to the next few days.
In connection with the open day on September 21st, we sent Gwen and Ben’s family a few questions. We suspect that the answers could be helpful for people who are interested in our small community. We are publishing it unabridged and unedited. We are including a few pictures that reflect the developments of the last few weeks. If you like to join a ZOOM video Chat on 15 September at 7 pm, use this link.
open-doors-2024
Q: You have already visited FamiliaFeliz several times. This was preceded by a few emails and video calls. When you look back, where were the most similarities between expectations and reality as you found them at FamiliaFeliz?
A: Where my expectation matched reality was with you Juan. I got to know you as a calm grounded man, who was not overly enthusiastic but very helpful and thoughtful. Someone who listens to you, someone with a strong vision, someone with whom I felt welcome. And I found this same man when we first arrived in Cervera del Maestre. We were seen and heard and introduced to everyone we met and we felt welcome.
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – living room with guests
Q: Where were the biggest differences between expectations and reality as you found them at FamiliaFeliz?
A: I think some differences between expectations and reality came from the fact that we didn’t really understand how this community worked. In a very practical sense, for example, how the place was physically put together. Somehow I expected a large location with a garden around it. This expectation came from photos that I could find online and my own imagination. Also the number of people in and around the community. I had no idea what that would look like and made up my own story about it. And perhaps the biggest difference was that I expected that once we arrived in Cervera, a lot of things would “disappoint” or at least not turn out as well as I had expected. And the opposite was true. Doors opened that I had not even thought would be there. Possibilities for housing, new people that we met who also had very interesting stories, facilities in and around Cervera. Everything turned out even better than expected.
Q: You are a big family, so everyone has their own preferences. In your opinion, what is a particular challenge for a family compared to a couple or a single person, apart from the fact that many have many different motives and wishes?
A: The challenge that comes with a family compared to a single person or a couple I think is that we have to take each other into account a lot. Our priority is our children. That makes things go slower and with a bit more structure. Spontaneity is possible, but not without limits.
Q: You had also prepared for these visits. What were very useful preparations and what turned out to be less useful or less sensible?
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – mosaics on a bench
A: What was a very useful preparation was to order a device for the toll roads. That way we didn’t have to stop at the toll roads and the children weren’t disturbed in their sleep. Knowing the language a little bit was also a good preparation. Despite the fact that most people speak English, it is still useful to be a little familiar with Spanish. Leaving in the evening and driving through the night was a practical choice with the children that worked out very well. What was less necessary was to think in advance about what we were going to do. The days filled up naturally and in the end, certainly the first visit, little came of our plans. Which was fine by the way because we did so many nice things.
Q: What did you think about living communities in general beforehand and what do you think about them now based on your experience?
A: I think what I thought I knew about living communities, and what is true in some cases, is that people do everything together. Work, eat, live. In FamiliaFeliz it is a bit different. It is all possible, but it is optional.
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – mosaics on a bench with kids
Q: What do you think is particularly good and particularly bad about FamiliaFeliz?
A: Good: That you get the opportunity, the time and the space to find out what you want to do with your life. The accessibility of it all. You don’t have to come with a bag of money or an abundance of promises. It is simply enough to be who you are. The network around FamiliaFeliz is large and enormously valuable. They think with you, not decide for you.
A: Bad: It does not grow. The freedom that people get in FamiliaFeliz seems to make them passers-by. The real connection seems temporary. As a result, there sometimes seems to be a lack of trust and willingness to do things for each other.
Q: If you imagine that you were joining our community now, which tendencies, projects and developments would you want to slow down and which would you want to strengthen?
A: Anything that helps in a self-sufficient life like the vegetable garden would be something I would like to participate in. This includes the projects that generate some money. There are actually no projects going on now that I do not find valuable. Perhaps not completely executed as I would do but that does not mean that they cannot have value as a project in itself.
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – mosaics on a table made of pallet wood
Q: What would the profile of a family look like that you would like to invite to FamiliaFeliz?
A: An open mind when it comes to what’s happening in the world. A willingness to learn and grow together as both a person and a community. People who are independent, don’t expect dependency or show demanding behavior. Have a strong sense of responsibility. And children the age of ours would be an added bonus 🙂
Q: Which people do you think are still needed in FamiliaFeliz and why?
A: I think it would be really cool if more people joined with the intention to stay. That we would become a stable group of people who live together as a family with a diversity of ages. Especially then I see a wonderful alternative to the existing systems in which people now live.
Q: What would be your most important project (beyond family and relationships) that you would implement if you were to join this community?
A: The vegetable garden. I see so much value in providing for the primary necessities of life. And food brings people together. Both in the garden and at the kitchen table.
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – mosaics on a bench made of pallet wood
Q: What would be indicators of a person that you think would speak FOR joining such a community?
A: Independence Responsibility Helpful Flexible Open minded Strong personality
Q: What would be indicators of a person that you think would speak AGAINST joining such a community?
A: Dependency Sitting in the role of victim Placing many expectations on others Demanding behavior Narrow minded
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – expo all about love – german session
Q: We will be holding an open doors day shortly, and I’m sure you would love to be in the garden that day! What do you hope for from the people who come to visit (members and speakers of other communities and projects in Valencia)?
A: That they see and understand the potential and power of FamiliaFeliz and that they see a place for themselves from which they can take a new step in a fulfilling life.
familiafeliz open doors 2024 – social art work – expo all about love – catalan session
Q: What is your message to those who will come to see FamiliaFeliz on September 21, 2024 and in the period after that?
A: I hope you find what you are looking for in FamiliaFeliz. And I hope that the experience is, like ours, a joyful and energy-boosting experience!
We finally left for Belgium on the evening of August 8th. A few days earlier than we initially thought. But the boys were done. They wanted to go home, to their friends and to the cat. And to be honest, I was ready to go home too. At that moment we had nothing else that needed our attention. And so we said goodbye to the 2 people who were still staying in CASAdelDRAGON at that time, to the lovely people in the garden with whom we had (and still have) nice contact and we decided to go.
On our way back to Belgium
We drove through the night (including our traditional nightly cup of hot chocolate) and the next day to return home tired but satisfied in the late afternoon on the 9th. It’s strange to come home to a house you haven’t been in for 6 weeks. Everything felt like home, but somewhere we had also made a shift. Everything is so different. From the people on the street, to the flat roads, to the steps of the stairs, which are much smaller here than in CASAdelDRAGON. So with literally every step, we were confronted with these two worlds. It feels a bit like we’re in between. Saying goodbye to this world here in Belgium has begun, but it has a long run-up. Landing in Spain has also started, but it will take a while before we can really get settled there.
The cat was happy to see us 🙂
So, the location, Cervera del Maestre, check! We absolutely love this amazing place. The next question is of course, how about community life? What about that? Well, I wouldn’t mind telling you.
On the one hand, it is a bubble that bursts. That is mainly my own projection of what my ideal world would look like. In my head everyone is dancing through the streets singing, butterflies are flying everywhere and everything is light and love. Yes, nice and realistic, I know.
No, without nonsense, where people live together there is conflict, sometimes small, sometimes bigger. I don’t think I had taken into account that this could also be the case in FamiliaFeliz. But also here, so many people, so many opinions. And those opinions do not always work together, which sometimes causes some friction. And because you have not known each other for long and have not built up a history together, there is little trust and willingness.
At first I was a bit shocked by the lack of willingness. This was later somewhat softened by the realization that everyone is responsible for his or her own happiness. I really feel that very strongly. However, in practice this concept proves to be interesting in some situations. Sometimes you would like to receive something from the other, while that person may not be willing to give you what you want. It remains a challenge to manage your expectations. Communication is so important, but communicating effectively and efficiently is easier said than done. Not least because of the language barrier.
So all this was interesting. I think I had an unfair expectation. I think I hoped for a world without conflict, but that is of course a utopia. At the same time life with conflict might as well be a gift. It invites you to break out of old patterns that no longer serve you. And it gives the opportunity to grow as a person and as a group. But easy and automatic? No, certainly not.
Outside of moments of conflict, I have also seen the power of community. It touches me deeply to see that so many people want to spend time together and are also willing to help each other, but simply because they want to. I see so much value in all these different people on so many levels. And certainly for our children. So many people to learn so many different things from. Sometimes very practical, such as working with wood or learning a new language. Sometimes much more indirectly by an experience or an interaction.
A visit to our friends in the garden
So if we can be part of such a nice group of people, including the conflicts, then I foresee a nice place for us in the future. Of course, you can never be completely sure what this future will bring. But I am confident that once we settle here, we will make it. Back to basics, back to each other.
