Thought I would share with you some of my photographs from our trip to Barcelona. The main reason for wanting to go was to see some of the work by Gaudi. I did not expect what I saw, far beyond my expectations, and I loved it. Lots of inspiration for my clay work - just need the time to get down to it. Also might use some of my photos for backgrounds in my papercrafting.
The first day we did the tour bus and hopped off at Park Guell. I just loved his gingerbread buildings.
As I used to teach ceramics I was particularly interested in the colours/glazes he used and although I tend to be an "earth tone" person when it comes to ceramics I do love these colours which were pieces running along the top of the curved wall. Has he converted me?
The textural quality of the Viaducts were of real interest to me and the book (just had to buy one) says they were built between 1901 and 1903 "the years during which Gaudi began to introduce surprising innovations based on his philosophy of the organic form". There are three in total - this is one of them (think it is the mid one).
Washerwoman's Arcade is spectacular and my photograph does not do it justice. Thankfully there are lots of photographs in the book we bought and some fantastic inspiration for shape and texture.
I could go on and on with photographs and my enthusing about the Park but not to bore my readers so I will leave you with this photograph of the Hypostle Hall (also called the Colonnade or Doric Temple). Had to show you this one of a girl playing a musical instrument. She just "flayed" her fingers over it and the most haunting music filled the hall (no doubt the acoustics had something to do with it but it was lovely to stand and listen - so peaceful).
Some of the columns are hollow and used to channel water that falls on the square to the deposit located beneath the colonnade. There are four large soffits on the ceiling all of them having a single basic illustration in the form of a sun with fourteen smaller ones surrounding them.
I know I said that was to be my last photograph but had to include this sign which, I presume, is telling you to pick up your doggy mess. Love the googly eyes.
That's it for today!
Hope I am not boring my followers with nothing crafty but I must upload some photographs from my favourite Gaudi visit - Caso Batllo and the rooftop at La Pedrera another day.
