Magical Bridge Palo Apto: A Gateway to Another Realm

The Magical Bridge Palo Alto is a unique and inclusive playground located in Palo Alto, California. It is a community-driven project that aims to provide a safe and accessible play space for children and adults of all abilities. The idea behind the Magical Bridge began with a group of parents who recognized the need for a playground that could accommodate their children with special needs. They wanted a place where every child, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, could play and interact with others without limitations. The Magical Bridge Palo Alto features innovative and inclusive play elements, such as swings that can accommodate children with mobility challenges, accessible slides, sensory play areas, and a magical music area. Every aspect of the playground has been carefully designed to ensure that everyone can fully engage and have fun.

Every aspect of the playground has been carefully designed to ensure that everyone can fully engage and have fun. One of the unique features of the Magical Bridge Palo Alto is its emphasis on creating a sense of community. The playground provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to come together and connect with each other.

Aesthetically Hoarded Guest Post: Witches of Western Art

The Season of the Witch is half over and there is so much yet to explore. Soon I hope to take you on a literary journey of the witch as character, but in the meantime, I have enlisted some help.

I could think of no one better to dive deep into the canvas and uncover the evolution of the witch in art than Aesthetically Hoarded. For the uninitiated, Aesthetically Hoarded is an Instagram account dedicated to art history, run by a human named Sean based in Liverpool, UK. Sean describes himself as “a ‘failed’ artist” who still “love[s] the stuff and take[s] great joy in sharing art with people.” Having studied art in Liverpool, Sean has curated an inexhaustible digital library, which he shares in informative, bite-sized chunks with a devilish streak of dark humour.

The Round of the Sabbath or Witches’ Sabbath, Louis Boulanger, 1828 | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

“For me,” Sean explains, “Gothic brings to mind images of churches and gargoyles, specifically Whitby […] with it’s ties to Dracula and wind beaten churches and cathedrals.” Whilst Whitby, vampires and architecture may not be persistent features of the Aesthetically Hoarded collection – it’s not all dark and certainly not all Gothic – Gothic art and the Gothic within art do make appearances nonetheless.

The witch is one such Gothic figure present in art across genres… and that is my cue to step aside and hand the keyboard over to Sean who will guide us through the history of witches in western art…

The modern image we have today of witches has evolved through many different iterations in art since the 15th century. Originally conceived almost as a religious dig at a specific sect of Christianity known as the ‘Waldensians’, the first recorded image of a witch in western art was in the margins of a manuscript of the 1451 poem, Le Champion des Dames. The sect was seen as heretical and rumours were that Waldensian women rode around on brooms at night.

Witches’ Sabbath, Francisco Goya, 1797-8 | Wiki Commons

Although originally created in derision at a sect of Christianity, the idea quickly evolved, and the heretical nature of the Witch became magnified. Around the end of the 15th century you start seeing images of witches riding goats and cavorting naked in groups (the horror).

The most interesting development in all of this, bar the Satanic, is of the ‘witch’s coven.’ Now we start to see the real fear: women en masse, talking, being free. It’s incredible to see this male paranoia manifest.

The Witches’ Sabbath, Salvator Rosa, c. 1640 – 1649 | The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The paranoia and hysteria grew more and more as the witch trials became a reality. Art showed what men feared: independent, literate women congregating – the devil surely must be involved! Now here comes the best bit, the image of witches and their Satanic frolicking became so ridiculous to the art world, artist started to mock the very idea of witches in their art.

Artists like Goya and Salvator Rosa mocked the superstitious and uneducated, creating these wonderful scenes of caricatured witchcraft, which, if I’m honest, were more influential on the image we have of witches today than anything else.

Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat, Albrecht Dürer, 1501-2| Museum of New Zealand

As time went on and practising witchcraft was decriminalised (incidentally the witch trials didn’t truly end until 1834… yeah…) depictions of witches softened. Waterhouse’s The Magic Circle, for example, perfectly illustrates a romantic view of witches. She is a woman, beautiful, and mastering things men couldn’t conceive of. He even gave her a coven, although it is in the background, in a cave. As the paranoia subsided so did the severity and brutal nature of witches in art.

Modern witches in art have entered myth. No longer are they considered something to believe in or fear, hence more whimsical images appear, such as Ida Rentoul Outhwaite’s series of witches from Fairy Land.

More recently there has been a resurgence in interest in witches and witchcraft, probably fuelled in part by the book Circe by Madeline Miller. Ultimately, to me at least, witches in art have gone from male paranoia of women’s power, to an empowering image of the power women do have. Much like the sphinx of myth (which is half-woman, half-lion, and the personification of man’s fear of women, power, and beauty) sadly it took far too long for people to realise that the witch is nothing to be feared.

It seems to me (Generally Gothic here again, hi!) that, just like in history, the witch in art has evolved from an emblem of religious persecution to the embodiment of female empowerment. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on Instagram.

I, for one, am bewitched by the synchronicity between art and history, with a huge thank you to Sean for this spell-binding piece! You can find Sean’s full and growing collection on Flickr, and follow him on Instagram where he is “always willing to chat about art,” share knowledge, and hopes that “you find at least some enjoyment in the art and artists [he] show[s,]” which I’m certain you will!

If you’d like to see your work featured here – whether you’re a blossoming expert, a self-made specialist, or want a reason to research – reach out! I’m also open to collaborations and would love to see your creative, um… creations (poetry, short fiction, artwork, photography) too!

In case you missed, it I’m hosting a Daphne du Maurier vintage giveaway, in honour of the literary witch’s birthday. Find all the info here.

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Community events, performances, and workshops are regularly held at the playground, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. The Magical Bridge Palo Alto has received widespread recognition and praise for its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. It has become a model for other communities looking to create inclusive play spaces. The success of the Magical Bridge has inspired the creation of similar playgrounds in other cities, spreading the message of inclusion and equality. In conclusion, the Magical Bridge Palo Alto is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to create a space that is truly inclusive and magical. It provides an environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can play, connect, and experience the joy of being part of a community..

Reviews for "The Magical Powers of Palo Apto's Bridge Revealed"

1. John - 2 stars - I stayed at the Magical Bridge Palo Apto for a weekend getaway and was quite disappointed. The apartment was advertised as "magical," but it was anything but. The photos were clearly taken years ago, as the apartment looked worn and outdated in person. The place was also not as clean as I had hoped, with dust and dirt in corners and on surfaces. Additionally, the amenities were lacking - the Wi-Fi was slow and unreliable, and the kitchen appliances were old and barely functional. Overall, I would not recommend staying here.

2. Emily - 1 star - My experience at the Magical Bridge Palo Apto was far from magical. First of all, the location was terrible - it was noisy and there was construction going on right outside the building, which made it impossible to get any peaceful sleep. Secondly, the apartment itself was not well-maintained. The bathroom had a leaky faucet that dripped all night long, and the heating system was not efficient, leaving us shivering in the cold. Lastly, the customer service was lacking. When I contacted the host about these issues, they were unresponsive and did not offer any solutions. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magical Bridge Palo Apto, but unfortunately, my stay was quite disappointing. The apartment was not as spacious as it appeared in the photos, and the layout was awkward. The furniture was old and uncomfortable, and the walls were paper-thin - I could hear every noise from the neighboring apartments. The location was also not ideal, as it was far from shops and restaurants. Overall, the experience did not live up to my expectations, and I would not choose to stay here again.

The Spiritual Significance of the Magical Bridge Palo Apto