Inspired – Gaudy Gaudi
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010We’ve all heard of something over-the-top being referred to as gaudy. Did you know the word was derived from the architect Antonio Gaudi and his designs? Antonio Gaudi, born in Spain, was inspired by nature. In many of his works reference nature and therefore you’ll rarely see a straight line. I’ve included some personal photographs demonstrating the architects detail oriented spaces. Even though the overall space is gaudy I found beauty in simple details.
Below is a light fixture from the Casa Batllo (Barcelona). Notice how the ceiling, painted like scales, provides a backdrop to the intricate fixture. In addition the plaster of the ceiling swirls towards the fixture.
The roof of Casa Batllo has multiple tiles surfaces. Because of the undulating curves the tiles are broken then applied…in graduating color. The green tile “ribs” are meant to look like the spine of an animal.
Below is a picture from the famous Sagrada Familia (Barcelona). This church has been in progress since 1884. Gaudi was always updating and changing the plans of this building as he went. When he was hit and killed by a tram, the drawings were not fully complete. Since then architects have done their best to interpret his vision into reality. The photo below is from within the church looking up at the ceiling. This is a perfect example of Gaudi taking inspiration from nature; you feel like you are in a stone forest. Notice on the columns that near the base there are more flutes (horizontal lines) than at the top, much like a tree trunk. At the ceiling the gold mosaics resemble leaves. When the light dances across them, they “move” in the light. Brilliant.
