Buildings grown from stone
By Christa TerryAh, Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet…better known to most as Antoni Gaudí. When he received the title of architect from the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona after five years of study, his instructor allegedly said, “Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.”
Indeed, time is very telling.
Have his designs maintained their otherworldliness? Do they continue to awaken awe in those who gaze upon them?
Can we, as mere spectators, appreciate what Gaudí was trying to convey? Will his hyperboloids and paraboloids stand the test of eons?
Who can say? Perhaps only time. I personally find myself entranced by the curves in his creations, but that’s just me. There are those for whom beauty can only be found in the straight line. What does it all mean? Simply that YMMV.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I have been fortunate enough to visit the city of Barcelona and see Gaudi’s work first-hand. I feel that it still makes people stop and stare. While some might not find it conventionally beautiful, no one can deny that he was brave and innovative in his creations. In my opinion, he is both the genius and the nut, but that’s probably what makes it so interesting.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
One of the great ambitions of my life is to travel to see some of Gaudi’s buildings up close and personal. They are spectacular, if you ask me.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:22 am
This is stunning! Thanks!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Mario8: Good point! All genius can get boring, and all nut can be scary. The combo, however, produces beautiful buildings!