Few artists have shaped our perception of a city as completely as Gaudi; and few architects have proved to be so emblematic of their culture:
Barcelona, is the city that contains the most and best examples of Gaudí’s spectacular and exceedingly creative work. Gaudi, Barcelona, Catalonia and the Sagrada Familia, were, and still are, synonymous – and eternally intertwined.
Gaudi’s work was shaped by his devout Catholic beliefs, the Catalan Modernisme art movement of the day, and his deep love of nature. He was a magnificent artist, always original and often astonishing – with his feverish imagination, resulting in world-renowned, unique, incredible works of art and buildings.
Then, and today, some find his work difficult to understand: some of his work has a Disney-like quality. Loved by many, and disliked and mocked by others – including Picasso and George Orwell, both of whom despised his work. But he will always appeal to a variety of different audiences.
Ultimately, he and his work fell from favour. But today, nearly 90 years after his death, his architecture legacy is once again in vogue – he continues to enthral and captivate, and is now celebrated and admired world-wide.
Yet who was this curious man who dedicated his life to architecture in Barcelona and its surrounding areas? Guadi, flirted with ideas, politics, idealism, and more: earning him a reputation as revolutionary and innovator. Yet there is much about him is not known or is misunderstood. With this talk, the man, his Modernism and some of his marvels are looked at – hopefully with new eyes and understanding.
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