Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí was a Spanish architect in the 19th-20th century (1853-1926) and he was born in Reus,
in Catalonia which he then went on to become a leader of Catalan modernism. Gaudí's works are
unique and are in his own style, majority of his works are in the Barcelona. His most famous piece
and debatably his greatest work, the Sagrada Família is in Barcelona, which has become one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Europe. He became part of the modernist movement and was
really inspired by Art deco, neo-gothic art and oriental techniques. Some of Gaudi’s works have a
more interesting fantasy side to them, there are complex designs and details and interesting
patterns and shapes.
Gaudi grew up as a Roman catholic and religious images can be found in some of his works,
resultingly he got the nickname "God's Architect". His work is described as: “free-flowing, full of
curving organic forms that are colourful and exuberant. His works contain shapes that come from
nature but move into the realm of the imaginary.”
La Sagrada Familia is a very recognisable work of art and a tourist
destination. Sagrada Familia construction started in 1882. Gaudi
worked on it until he died. When he died in 1926, less than a
quarter of the building was finished. The Sagrada Familia's
building was slow due to the reason that it needed private
donations. It was stopped by the Spanish Civil War. La Sagrada
Familia uses 3D forms made of complicated surfaces, the shapes
a thinner, finer structure, and are intended to improve the
temple's “acoustics” and quality of light. Gaudi has used light to
enhance his this building, sunlight glistens on the windows and
pinnacles of the tower. He has designed it so that when the sun
rises, it lights up the portals of the nativity façade—celebrating
Jesus. I really like the detail of this architecture and how it looks quite elegant—like an
accommodation for royalty. The symmetry appeals to me, and so does the gradual increase in height
of the building, on the side.
Another famous architectural piece is the Casa Balto. Several of the architectural features at Casa
Balto have been inspired by the marine world and the Mediterranean sea. It is called “The House of
Bones” by the locals in Barcelona as they say that the bone-like structure supports the building
which suggest it’s like a skeleton and supports the house. I like the mix of colours on the design on
the house and the funky shaped roofs as this all gives the building a dream-like effect and make it
seem fantasy.
Antoni Gaudi’s architectural pieces link into the fantasy architecture topic of my fantasy and
surrealism theme as many of his designs are dram-like or historical and have elegant features.
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