Gaudi is personal to me…Growing up in Barcelona from age 7 to almost 10, I was fortunate to see how his work influenced the face of architecture in Barcelona. To this day I distinctly remember walking past these fantastical buildings daily, or visiting these famous landmarks with my family.
That’s my mom and two sisters…I’m the oldest one in the back with the blonde bangs
Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), is one of the greatest architectural figures of the late 19th,early 20th Century and particularly so in the history of Spanish, and Catalan, architecture. Seen as the genius of the Modernist movement (Art Nouveau), his work was not only innovative, but also very radical.
casa Mila-the chimney’s via Write Design online
Gaudi was an enigma, a celibate who designed some of the most sensuous buildings in the world. His greatest inspiration was nature. Passionate about plants and insects, he was known to say that the tree outside his window was his greatest teacher, and that nature is the language of architecture. The sea landscape was also one of his preferred inspirations.
via Write Design Online:Drawing Prompt Antoni Gaudí
Over the course of his career, Gaudi developed a sensuous, curving, almost surreal design style which established him as the innovative leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement. With little regard for formal order, he juxtaposed unrelated systems and altered established visual order.
Casa Batlló
Besides nature, another important source of inspiration for his system of decoration was the Islamic and Iberian tradition of ceramic facing, best known in the form of the glazed pottery tiles, or “azulejos” used on the exteriors and interiors of many Portuguese, Spanish and Latin American buildings. Gaudi’s characteristically warped form of Gothic architecture drew admiration from other avant-garde artists. This led him to create, in close collaboration with some of the very fine artisans of his time, all those elements that make up architectural space – wrought iron, furniture, stained glass, sculptural work, mosaics, ceramics and so on – within an organic concept of decoration and with the integration of these elements into the construction process.
inside Casa Batllo via Gaudi Designer.com
Gaudi also, by adorning many of his buildings with coloured tiles arranged in mosaic patterns added another important dimension which is so often overlooked by architects – the use of colour. The combination of original design, interesting shaped stonework, and vibrant colours in Gaudi’s work give the viewer a truly breathtaking visual experience. I think this is what I remember most…the color and the sensual shapes.
Probably the building he is most famous for is the Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic Church in downtown Barcelona. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I must admit that his sensual genius will always be an inspiration for me in my design work.
Sagrada Familia via Madame Pickwick art blog
“Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator.” Antonio Gaudi
While the video below is a bit longer then most, it is a inside look at a great man. I highly recommend the time…in the meantime, what childhood memories have influenced your life today? Could be a person, place or thing…leave a comment below, I’d love to know. After all, inspiration is a Little Bit of Beauty™ for sure.
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29 Comments
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What a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your personal story.
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Author
Thanks for stopping by Donna. Glad you liked it.
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thank you, this video was amazing and confirms my wish to travel to Barcelona…
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Go…don’t wait Lynne, it’s a fabulous city, and country. Call for ideas if you’d like, I’d love to share
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You’ve done a very good post, Irene. A born in Barcelona lady says that!
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next time I’m there we will have to meet up Isabel
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Lynne, if you go to Barcelona, we have to make an appointment!
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Gaudí has always been a fave — his style is unique and unparalleled. Thank you for this post!
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Thanks for stopping by Regina! He’s truly unique isn’t he?
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What a wonderful reminder of this artistic genius. And a reminder of my own experience of awe when seeing his cathedral in person. Thank you for this.
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We’ll have to share stories next time we get together Beryn! I truly love Spain as a country and Barcelona as a city, and, well, Gaudi as an influence. Be well
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Very nice post. We did have a wonderful time in Barcelona.
Don’t forget you have a cousin still living there.
Dad-
Thanks for stopping by DAD!
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Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back in the future. I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
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Thanks for creating this…I just started my second reading of van Hensbergen’s book on Gaudi, and decided to do a quick google and came across your page. Nice story. And the video – great….I’m watching the entire series on youtube now! Thanks again, and good luck with you business!
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Gaudi n his work is jst awesome…..!! love it..! <3
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Thanks for sharing this creative information.The images are really very good.Keep on such such an innovative thoughts.
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The word on Gaudi is getting out. Long time favorite of mine. One of the first I’d ever seen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_G%C3%BCell
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Hi–we leave on this saturday for Barcelona..I’ve been on line –getting lots of info.–so not to miss anything Gaudi!
Any chance to send this video to me–it won’t play saying the BBC has blocked it.
Thx ahead of time–I am so excited–as a ceramic artist–this will be most memorable!
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Bummer Ms. Mary…the BBC blocked it. Perhaps you can google BBC and then google Gaudi on their site and watch it there? It was a great one, and you will LOVE the beauty and the splendor of Gaudi in Barcelona
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