When you are moving to another house you cannot help thinking about windows, stairs, IKEA and useful space. I have been doing that for a month, but let’s think about something beyond the usual. Let’s think about Antonio Gaudí – the most amazing mind ever born.
You know I love to share music to illustrate my posts. There is a 37 minutes long project of Alan Parson who is a legend himself. If you want to know more about Antonio Gaudí of Barcelona please find time to watch this video project from 1987: Gaudí.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfy9KGK5pd8&w=560&h=315%5D
I took a few images of Gaudí’s strikingly beautiful work – Casa Batlló (1904–1906), a building designed to comfortably live in – and the family did live there until the 1950s.
The image from the beginning of the 20th century
Another stunning building with the fleshy, organic look, Casa Milà (1906-1910)
It is sad that many Gaudí‘s projects were turned down because the authorities didn’t like them or abandoned because there was no financial support. Casa Mila was a target for critics for decades and stayed neglected until the 1980s when it was finally restored. Gaudí was too ahead of his time. He designed three dimensional shapes a century before computer imaging.
Palau Güell (1885-1889), Gaudí‘s project for his friend and patron Eusebi Güell. He was the only man who supported Gaudí all his life and understood his vision and a courage of fanatic.
In 1900 Güell and Gaudí started their unsuccessful housing project – Parc Güell. They envisioned a community living in a beautiful natural park, but it didn’t work out the way it was intended. Their project was appreciated a century later: nice to see that architecture has progressed beyond “less is more”, finally.
The images of the exquisite furniture are taken in Gaudí‘s home in the park grounds where he lived until his death in 1926. His bedroom has rather ascetic look though.
There are some more images from the park – an archway designed by Gaudí – a place for beautiful walks and numerous performers.
The archway designed to be a part of the nature, and even the roots of the trees are growing through it.
Park Güell looks like it came from a fairy tale. It is so busy that it is difficult to get close to it’s famous sculptures and other features to take a photograph.
The work of Gaudí‘s life is La Sagrada Familia. “My client is not in a hurry” he is said to have remarked, and it has been prophetic since the work is already going on for 130 years.
There is an incredibly beautiful blog by Indah Susanti, and recently she posted series of exquisite images of Sagrada Familia sculptures. I share a few of my images from inside the basilica. Unfortunately there was no access to the central area of the main nave that day and I was not able to get that iconic image of the ceiling, but I was happy to see the play of light high above, and sit there overwhelmed by unspeakable quiet joy.
Not being a specialist in Architecture I cannot tell what is exactly work of Gaudí and what was added by other architects during almost 100 years since his death, but I am sure that no architect has come close to matching his genius. Completion of the work is expected by 2026.
Gaudí was buried in the crypt of La Sagrada Familia, his unfinished masterpiece. They say that half of Barcelona was gathered there.
A few more images from Barcelona in my next blog 🙂
Photography tip of the day: When you take pictures in the street watch your environment. To get extra light you can position yourself to have a white or light painted wall across from where you shoot so that it reflects light on your subject. In the bright light use an open shadow where it is possible.
Have a wonderful week!
Making memories 
Awesome! Thank you for this post! REblogged. 🙂
Sincerely,
Tera*
Intuitive Health Coach,
Award-Winning DJ
(The Life REmix Expert)
http://djnovajade.wordpress.com
Thank you for re-blogging! Have a great weekend! Hugs!
Inese
Sure thing, Inese!
Have a lovely weekend, too!
Tera*
Reblogged this on DJ Nova Jade*s Hodgepodge Blog and commented:
This is art. This is life in motion. This is photography… brilliant!
PS: Check out the Photography Tip of the Day at the end. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. Gaudi was indeed one of the most talented people of the 20the century.
FANTASTIC post, thank you! 🙂
Thank you for reading, Linda Sue! 🙂
Great post! Now, I’m from Barcelona and in Barcelona at the moment so…Yes, we do have a wonderful city, although I remember it was not as popular as it is now when I was a child. The Japanese I believe were the first ones from abroad to notice Gaudí in mass (as a result of an ad that featured the Sagrada Familia as background, I think) and went mad about him, to the point where they wanted to buy la Casa Milà (that we call ‘La Pedrera’ from pedra (stone in Catalan). They didn´t manage. I recall as a child seeing only one person working on the Sagrada Familia, but thankfully tourism and a bit of a push has moved it on. You´re right Inese there´re plenty of Art Nouveau buildings and it was a very strong movement in the city (industrial revolution was quite big here and the new bourgeoisie had a fair amount of money, like some of the families who got Gaudí to build their houses). In Catalonia we call it ‘Modernisme’. He was a very religious man and that´s clear to see in La Sagrada Familia. There was no ceiling at all when I used to visit as a child so all that is fairly new (like are the towers at the back). I recommend the Palau de la Música Catalana if you like Art Nouveau, but…just explore…And even if you don´t like Picasso, the Picasso museum, because the medieval palace is also gorgeous… Sorry to go on…
Oh thank you for your comment Olga! I know you are from this wonderful city, and I always think about Barcelona as a city of artists and writers. One person working on Sagrada familia! Bless that man!
I guess that Gaudi might have had different ideas about the construction, but he left very little sketches, so whatever is done by the other architects is all right and good enough. I love the spirit of this city.
They don’t let you take pictures in Palau de la Musica Catalana, but i was inside and listened to the beautiful music – great acoustic.
Beautiful photos once again. Barcelona is a treasure trove of photo opportunities. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I would love to go again: last time I was walking with a stick and couldn’t get everywhere I wanted.
I know what you mean. I prefer not walking with a stick. They always want to go in another direction than me. And two sticks always result in arguments. 🙂
Walking with a stick,
Making things more difficult,
Ladybugs are fine.
I would prefer walking with a friend, but no one was available for that time. Just didn’t want to waste a bank holiday weekend:)
I don’t blame you. Our holiday is tomorrow (Monday). It’s Columbus Day. However, I doubt that I will do anything special. Cheers! 🙂
There is a huge statue of Columbus in Barcelona 😉
Hmmm…I did not know that. That guy really got around. Imagine what he could have shown us if he had a camera back then.
Awe-inspiring images Inese. I’ve been to Barcelona once, for a few hours, but didn’t get to see it! But you’ve taken me there anyway as you have to so many other places 🙂
Thank you so much, Andrea! Glad to hear you have been there, even for a short visit:) Many beautiful places we can visit through WordPress:) Sometimes I read about things I have never heard or imagine:)
I think he may be an Art Nouveau architect, and I love that style.
Thank you for stopping to comment, Maria! He might follow the Art Nouveau, he was influenced by many styles while creating his own. When he became an accomplished architect, he was unique. His museum is something to visit! He took his inspiration from all the natural forms like shells, leaves, flowers, insects etc. Pity he didn’t write much, but is it possible to describe his work on paper? Computer graphic would do that 🙂 He was ahead of his time:)
He sure was. I would like to go there too. I love art nouveau though, because it goes back to nature forms
Lots of Art Nouveau in Barcelona. You would love visiting. Thank you so much for your comments! 🙂
Learned something new today. Another great mind I need to look more into, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading! A great mind he was indeed.
The Sagrada Familia is so magnificent, and that is just judging it from your photos. The otherworldliness is shining through.
You say it so wonderfully – otherworldliness! I too think that he received his knowledge from the Universe.
Ines, I admit I had not heard of Gaudi before reading this post. I now see how creative-minded he is and enjoy the three-dimensional architecture he brings to the world! I like it!
Thank you so much for reading, Christy. No one heard of him 25 years after his death until the 1950s. He hasn’t left followers and writings, just a few letters and sketches. He came to this world, made an impact, and disappeared. True genius.
That was some amazing pictures, pity the man is not around to furnished my hopefully future apartment.
Agree 🙂
Stunning post dear Inese!…
Marvelous tribute to Gaudi. What a genius he was, pure talent!…
My favorite work by him is the Park Güell, but my dad, who is architect, is a huge fan of The Sagrada Familia… Which is your favorite one?
Much love and many hugs to you, my friend!, Aquileana 😀
Thank you for commenting, Aquileana! I too go for Park Güell. 🙂 I love the colors! 🙂
Love and hugs!:)
Inese, this was the most wonderful architecture and cultural tour. Thank you for sharing and expanding my knowledge!
Thank you for reading, Emily Grace! If one day you travel Europe, visit Gaudi 🙂