A word from Gaudí...
“Science is learned through principles and art through examples – works
from the past-”
Antoni
Gaudí
Issue 33, January 2005
14.801 items
SUMMARY
- HIGHLIGHTS:
- NEW ITEMS ON THE WEB
- GAUDINIAN NEWS
- GAUDINIAN AGENDA
- ADVANCES
- OUR MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
- WHAT'S UP IN THE GAUDÍ FORUM
- CAN YOU HELP US WITH YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?
- VISIT OUR ONLINE SHOP
- BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY
- GAUDÍ TODAY
- GAUDÍ TOURS – TRAVEL WITH US
- BARCELONA'S HEARTBEAT
- CURIOSITIES
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. HIGHLIGHTS:
- JANUARY 17TH: SAINT ANTON THE ABBOT, SAINT'S DAY
OF GAUDÍ
Original cartoon
of our member Pere Cánovas |
We Gaudinian people, we all have to congratulate each other
on a day as important as this one, the day of Saint Gaudí as well
as of the typical Mediterranean fiesta, which every year celebrates our admired
and catholic architect who loved to be called Don Anton by his collaborators.
Saint Antonio the Abbot lived between century III and IV and is
popularly known as Saint Antonio of the donkeys or the little pig.
According to his feature writer Saint Anastasio, one day he had heard
God's call and sold all his possessions to distribute the money among
the poor. |
Once this was done, he withdrew to the desert
to pray. He had to stand up to the numerous temptations of the devil and
did some miracles, such as curing the daughter of the governor of a city
and curing a small crippled pig. Gratefully the animal followed him everywhere,
and that's why the Saint is always represented with a pig at his feet. So
Saint Antonio the Abbot is the protector of the animals and the lawyer of
the sick people. |
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The day of Saint Antón the
Abbot is the party of the animals, also called “The Three Somersaults” in
the agricultural Mediterranean region. A long time ago, when cavalry were
used as draught animals, the people really believed and thought it was indispensable
to bless those animals in order to guarantee their maximum produce during
the year.
In the morning, each village takes out the image of the Saint and
installs it on the mayor place. Later on all the animals are conducted
to the place where they turn three times around the image. Then there's
an offering, the animals are blessed and the so called “Saint Antonio
breads”, are shared among the people and the animals – just as Saint
Antón did. |
2. NEW ITEMS ON THE WEB
- SITE REPORT ABOUT THE SAGRADA FAMILIA
TEMPLE
Jordi Bonet, architect director of the works of the Temple, presented
his half-yearly
site report.
- WALKING WITH GAUDÍ– New article
Isabel Goig recreates for the readers of the Gaudí News a
late afternoon walk with Gaudí and his father across the
Barcelona of those days.
3. GAUDINIAN NEWS
- MORE THAN 2,2 MILLIONS OF VISITORS
TO THE SAGRADA FAMILIA IN 2004
Last year 2004, the Sagrada Familia Temple received 2.260.661 visitors.
Following the Temple Building Committee this number is 10,3% higher
than in 2003.
The number of visitors to the Gaudí Museum in Park Güell
has also increased. Where it received 372.934 visitors in 2003, the
park has been visited by 408.098 persons in 2004.
At the Gaudí & Barcelona Club we celebrate this remarkable
increase of people interested in the works of Gaudí, which means
that our beloved architect keeps on being at his height.
- NEW MANIFESTO IN FAVOUR OF THE RESTORATION
OF THE CRYPT OF COLONIA GÜELL
The Local Patrimony Architectonic Patrimony Service (SPAL) of the
Delegation of Barcelona, with architect Antoni González Moreno-Navarro
at the head, is in charge of the restoration of the works of Gaudí that
are public property. Park Güell, the Crypt of the Colonia Güell
and Palau Güell have been restored by this organism. The actions
of the SPAL have been criticised by different people; the restoration
of the Gaudí Crypt has even put in danger that the Unesco would
recognize all the architect's work as Humankind Patrimony. This fact
drove to a hard polemic between the opponents and the defenders of
this restoration.
The latest incident related to this matter takes us to last December
23 rd , when more than 200 officials of the SPAL among which architects,
archaeologists and restorers, signed a manifesto in favour of the restoration
work of the crypt. The text affirms that “monumental restoration is
architecture and therefore the result of a process in which creativity
no está extenta”. Without willing to enter in the polemics that
are “unsuccessful because of the avalanche of falsenesses and errors
that some detractors of the works have published”, the document pleads
for a “monumental, scientific and objective restoration” and claims
that the action of the SPAL is based on the scientific knowledge of
restoration: “in order to value restoration, one must know the process
which leads to the final results, based on a scientific methodology
which adapts itself to the singularity of each one of the buildings
to be restored”.
Would you like to find out more about the restoration
of the Colonia Güell Crypt?
Text about the Crypt
4. GAUDINIAN AGENDA
- THE GAUDÍ PUPPETS IN VIZCAYA
Next Sunday January 16 th , the boys and girls of the village Leioa
in Vizcaya, can get to know Gaudí better through the puppets
show “ Las Tres Mellizas (The Three Twin Sisters) and the enigmatic
master Gaudí”.
The Tres Mellizas prank and the Bruja Aburrida (Bored
Witch) “punishes” them and leads them to a different reality, in this
case, to Barcelona at the beginning of the XX century. The script lets
us know the aspects Antoni Gaudí's works are based on in a amusing
way and with many different actions that bring lots of dynamism to
the scene. During this walk through Gaudí's life and works,
the Twin Sisters will live the most diverse adventures based on anecdotes
about the architect's work and inspiration.
Place: Auditórium del Kultur Leoia
Jose Ramon Aketxe Plaza, 11
48940 LEIOA (Bizkaia)
When: 12 AM
Price: 3 euros
 Kultur
Leioa is a public cultural centre of the City Council of Leioa that
promotes, supports and diffuses culture and creation. Conceived as
a multidisciplinary platform, Kultur Leioa – inaugurated in September
2004 – turns into a great focal point of cultural attraction in the
municipality. Kultur Leioa is open for its environment and offers a
place for culture in the heart of Leioa.
In our online shop you can get the DVD “Las
Tres Mellizas y Gaudí”
5. ADVANCES
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At the end of January, the gallery Fins de Siècles will be inaugurated
in street Enrique Granados in Barcelona. It presents a wide selection of
furniture and decoration objects from the XX century, especially from the
1930s Art Deco, - times of Gaudí -, as well as from the 1940s.
The selection of the collection is based on the quality and originality of
its designs, materials and finishing.
The owners of Fins de Siècles, Michèle Van Hove
and Nicolas Vanderbeck moved to Barcelona two years ago. They have
collected pieces for all kind of stays from different European countries
such as Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. It is definitely
worth to visit Fins de Siècles! |
6. OUR MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
David Solé visited Comillas and took
a picture of himself next to the creator of "El Capricho".
Perhaps he was looking for the same inspiration as the architect...
Lluís Gassó , winner of the 3 rd price of the literary contest
II Gaudí Prize of Poetry and Short Narrative 2004, sent us a
poem to whish us a Happy New Year! (available in Catalan)
With his work “Inspiración II, al rescate del arte rupestre”, Roberto
Urbina wan the Fondart prizes 2004 as well as the regional prize of environment,
mention "cultural change and atmosphere education" for working with
recyclable materials. He shows us his
artistic expresión from Iquique-Chile.
7. WHAT'S UP ON THE FORUM
How can you get a map of Park Güell? Is the Passion Facade of the Sagrada
Familia already finished? What did Gaudí think about machines and trams?
What are the differences between Modernism, Art Nouveau and Gaudinism? When will
the Sagrada Familia be finished? How are the works progressing? What kind of methods
did Gaudí use?
These are just some of the questions that are debated on the English and Spanish
forums. Would you like to participate?
Spanish forum
English forum
8. CAN YOU HELP US WITH YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?
Thank you to all the members that already help us with their financial contribution!!
In order to realise all our projects and to share the name Gaudí with the
world and to share his figure, we also need your help.
We have various initiatives going on and we still have some ideas en reserve.
Therefore we need to increase our budget.
As a non-profit association, we assign all our funds to eulogizing the work and
life of Gaudí.
Your individual contribution of the members' quota of 40 euros a year will help
us to realize our projects.
Please, collaborate
with your association!!
You will also benefit from advantages such as discounts on our online shop en
on the cultural tours organized by Gaudí Barcelona Tours.
9. VISIT OUR ONLINE SHOP
Would you like to make someone happy with an unforgettable original present?
In the online shop of
our Club you will find objects such as calendars, posters and cards of Gaudí's
works as well as furniture and jewels. Do you have a specific budget? Take a look
at our articles index
by price!!!
Recommanded articles:
 |
Silver
Dragon Card Holder – Retail Price: 96 €
Guaranteed silver Dragon Card Holder, hand-polished according to
traditional methods with black wooden support.
Collection piece in the exclusive design of the Gaudí & Barcelona
Club, which represents the Dragon of Park Güell. A useful and
unique present to decorate your desk. |
 |
Excellent late-harvest Extra
Virgen Olive Oil - Retail Price: 16,5 €
To add this typical special flavour to your Mediterranean salads
and other dishes! |
10. BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Reference books, novels, biographies of the architect, monographs of Park Güell,
the Sagrada Familia or the Pedrera, books for children, books about curiosities,
photo albums… Our library offers you most
of the works that our published about Gaudinism.
 |
The
city of Gaudí – Retail Price: 16 €
A complete and impressive photo reportage about the city of Gaudí:
Barcelona.
Languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch,
Russian, Chinese |
11. GAUDÍ TODAY
12. GAUDI TOURS – TRAVEL WITH US
Live Barcelona
from the air. With our helicopter flights, you can now see Gaudí's
monuments from a bird's-eye view. Only 80 € per person. Flights during the
whole year.
13. BARCELONA'S HEARTBEAT
This week's
specials, a different agenda
Would you like to recommend us some cultural activity? As a member of the Club
you now have the opportunity to send us information about any kind of act, exposition
or similar event that you are organising, under the only condition that all the
members of the Club are welcome to it. Please send us your information to news@gaudiclub.com
14. CURIOSITIES
2005, YEAR OF THE TEXTILE COLONIES
On November 21st 1855, 150 years ago, the law which allowed the establishment
and implementation of the industrial colonies was promulgated. The industrial revolution
was reflected especially in the Catalan textile and the proliferation of companies
at the river banks far away from the inhabited centres, gave rise to the textile
colonies, where the workers lived with their families and could have the essential
services.
The colonies promoted an active social, cultural and religious life. In order
to establish social cohesion and to link the worker with the textile plant, the
colonies had their own doctor, school, food shop, theatre, music choirs, cafes,
casinos, mayor fiestas etc…. Those colonies were like real villages that functioned
on their own.
As a result of this 150 th anniversary, during 2005 there will be organised commemorative
acts in the colonies that still exist. Many architectonic industrial monuments
will be rehabilitated as well. Today not all the colonies have the same luck. Some
of them are about to disappear, whilst others are recreated as museums.
Among these colonies Colonia Güell stands out, which Don Eusebi assigned
to Gaudí in 1890. Situated in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, it was one
of the unique colonies where one tried to reach social improvements of the workers.
The textile plant closed in 1973 because of the crisis in the sector. Today it
continues with the activities of some small entrepreneurs as well as other initiatives
to make its name. Besides there is the Güell Crypt, which used to the church
of the Colonia and which today is a focal point of monumental controversy.
15. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all we would like to say thank you again to all our members who have
whished us a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2005.
Our special gratitude goes to Lluís Gassó, for the poem he has sent
us.
To David Solé for sending us his picture of the Capricho of Gaudí
To Roberto Urbina for sending us his pictures of this mosaic mural
To Ann Helena for sending us the information about the gallery Fins de Siècles
Come on and join us!
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Thank you for staying with us.
See you in the next Gaudi News! We look forward to hearing from you.
Come and join us!
Comments and suggestions: info@gaudiclub.com
GAUDI & BARCELONA CLUB ASSOCIATION
Còrsega, 366 3r.
08037 Barcelona
Telfs: +34 93 415 25 66
Fax: +34 93 415 30 33
http://www.gaudiclub.com
e-mail: news@gaudiclub.com |
