Photo Exhibit in Panama's Old City

There is a free exhibit of striking photos by the photographer Manuel Madueño at the Manolo Caracol restaruant in Casco Viejo, Panama’s Old City.  Done with unique developing techniques these are strikingly beautiful pieces of art, full of color and contrast. The photos are arranged around the room over the tables. You can come in, as I did, on a Sunday afternoon just to see the photos and you can, as I did, enjoy a glass of a very nice dry red house wine while you browse the art.

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The exhibit is entitled "El Lado Oscuro de Ibone" and will run until September 21. Monolo Caracol routinely exhibits art on its walls. This exhibit is unique because it consists of canvas sized photographs by the restaurant owner, Manuel Madueño. Mr. Madueño comes from Andalucía in Spain where he was a bookseller, book seller, a cook, and an art dealer. He seems to have found a niche for most of his talents in his Casco Viejo restaurant.

The photos are extreme close ups of a rusting ship hull. The photographer obviously has a good eye for interesting detail but, more to the point, has the skill to use developing techniques to enhance contrast and color.

"El Lado Oscuro de Ibone" is a nice little exhibit in a very attractive setting. Manolo Caracol is just down the street from Independence Plaza in Casco Viejo where you can also shop the weekly flea market on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant is upscale and serves a fixed price meal, Mediterranean fare. The wine list (entirely Spanish) starts at $30.