Website:http://www.biography.com/people/antoni-gaud%C3%AD-40695
Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's magnum opus, became his only focus after 1910 and was his obsession until his death in 1926.
Although the design had been drawn up and construction started on the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi changed the design completely.
While Gaudi was a part of the Catalan Modernista movement, his style changed and transcended it to form his unique nature-based organic style (which can be seen in the Sagrada Familia).
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Blog Impression
Blog: http://blogofthecourtier.com/tag/sagrada-familia/
From this blog, I learned that Antoni Gaudi actually incorporated a lot of items which would be considered trash into the Sagrada Familia. The author of the blog thought that the application of this technique "huamnize(s) and humble(s)" the breathtaking scale of the structure. While I do agree with this idea, I also think that Gaudi is trying to express a cyclical theme. I also agree with the idea that, with this technique, Gaudi tries to create beauty out of things that most would consider to be without beauty.
From this blog, I learned that Antoni Gaudi actually incorporated a lot of items which would be considered trash into the Sagrada Familia. The author of the blog thought that the application of this technique "huamnize(s) and humble(s)" the breathtaking scale of the structure. While I do agree with this idea, I also think that Gaudi is trying to express a cyclical theme. I also agree with the idea that, with this technique, Gaudi tries to create beauty out of things that most would consider to be without beauty.
Books on the Sagrada Familia
Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Família : Antoni Gaudi by Mark Bury
Symbology of the Temple of the Sagrada Família by Fargas Bespin
Observations from Video
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnNwpmdWm1w
The placement of the giant columns are interspersed with the people gathered for mass. These soaring structures make the individuals feel small and add to the spirituality of the place.
The patterns of light on the ceiling, combined with the other stained glass windows throughout the entire building, create bright jewels that decorate the building. This creates a sense of connection with the outside and makes the building feel as if it is greater than its physical presence.
On the columns, what appear to be paintings encased in glass are strategically placed to catch the light coming from the windows. From the ground, these seem to form the leaves or perhaps seeds of the stone forest. Each is unique and seems to reflect the grand scale of the faith, telling stories and displaying symbolism.
The placement of the giant columns are interspersed with the people gathered for mass. These soaring structures make the individuals feel small and add to the spirituality of the place.
The patterns of light on the ceiling, combined with the other stained glass windows throughout the entire building, create bright jewels that decorate the building. This creates a sense of connection with the outside and makes the building feel as if it is greater than its physical presence.
On the columns, what appear to be paintings encased in glass are strategically placed to catch the light coming from the windows. From the ground, these seem to form the leaves or perhaps seeds of the stone forest. Each is unique and seems to reflect the grand scale of the faith, telling stories and displaying symbolism.
Flickr Impression
I noticed that there is a contrast between the internal structure and external structure. While the external structure conveys a sense of complexity and deep biblical meaning. From the outside, the light create the shadows and a sense of depth to all the statues and carvings. There is a sense of awe, but it is cold and forbidding. Internally, the light warmly diffuses over the arching ceiling and grand columns. The light from the stained glass windows shine a wide variety of colors, both warm and cold, creating a multifaceted explosion of colors. The sense of awe that the interior instills is more approachable, giving the audience a sense of wonder after the imposing exterior.
Impression of the Building
Talking with someone who had visited the Sagrada Familia during his conference trip to Spain, I found that he was deeply impressed with the structure. He was intrigued by the complexity of the building, from its countless biblical references to its hidden symbols and number puzzles. On the interior, he was captured by the lighting which he thought formed into petals of a large flower. All in all, he thought that the Sagrada Familia is an integral part of Barcelona.
Map
The surrounding is split into very organized sections with the long, broad streets creating the square pieces of the grid. Although surrounded by the city, most of these sections are quiet and peaceful, with the Sagrada Familia, which is constantly under construction, making up the tall centerpiece. On its northeastern and southwestern sides, the structure is surrounded by parks.
Photos [Interior]
Arches of the crypt
These are the oldest parts of the church and are designed by Francesc de Paula Villar.
Photos [Exterior]
Much of the spires are made of prefabricated and reinforced concrete pieces.
Spires reaching into the sky
The bell towers represent the twelve apostles.
Detail of the front entrance [Portal of Charity]
"Devoted to the theological virtue of Christian charity or love and to Jesus"
Down to the Basics
The Sagrada Familia, or Church of the Holy Family, is located in
the city of Barcelona, Spain. Designed by the Spanish Catalan architect Antoni
Gaudi, the building is an incomplete Roman Catholic church. Although Gaudi
joined the project in 1883, during the second year of its construction, the
building was only about a quarter complete at the time of his death.
This picture by Bernard Gagnon has
been digitally altered to remove the cranes surrounding the structure.
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