September 26, 2006
Gaudi
While
reading about Antonio Gaudi¿s architecture, ¿a wonder that shimmer and
undulates in an almost hallucinogenic riot of colors and forms,¿ which ¿conveys a constant sense of motion,¿ and ¿an
eclectic assortment of different shaped windows,¿ I felt like I was on a
An innovator with an imagination, Antonio Gaudi¿s architectural style lacks any
sort of rigidity or conventionality, full of excitement, entertainment, and
color. His style exemplifies Barcelona¿s own characteristic frivolity and love
of life, while also epitomizing the fresh emancipation, which the city hoped to
celebrate with a desire to rebuild a new Catalunya ¿that would be open to the
world while still remaining true to itself¿ (van Ryzin, 580). Much like Frank
Lloyd Wright (whose work I mentioned in my last post), Gaudi¿s use of
creativity-often associated with the right side of the brain-was physically
appealing to me. Because we¿ve been comparing architecture
to nature lately, I especially liked how much his work reminded me of nature,
without having to force a connection. Like Prianka and Megan noted, Gaudi¿s
lyric style, which connects every formation to the next and lacks any sort of
rigidity, reminded me of the undulating ocean, with no beginning and no end,
connecting earth to sky. Further, his use of ¿glittering colors¿ is akin to the
changing colors in nature, from dawn to dusk, spring through winter, and all of
the different types and colors of flowers.
Although his work is a pleasant diversion from the structure that we are used
to, much like Dr. Seuss¿s books are a great break for children and adults alike
or Disneyworld rollercoasters take us to a different world, I feel that in
America, Gaudi¿s work would not flourish as it did in Spain, as Gaudi¿s work
connotes exuberance, unconventionality, and liberalness, unlike the US, where
conservativeness and structure tends to dominate.
As for why griffins look down upon the president of UT, my initial
instinct-like Prianka-was that they are to assert the president¿s absolute
power, solidify his position. Griffins bodies are from
lions and their heads and wings from eagles. Perhaps, the lion¿s body is to
give the president the inner strength to combat every hurdle of successfully running
the university, while the wings are his reminder to ¿soar¿ across the spectrum,
considering many different perspectives in every decision, so as to appeal to
the greatest number of opinions. Either way, the griffins wield a great deal of
iconic symbolism however they are interpreted.