A word from Gaudí...
“I'm not a man of Arts but a man of Works."
Antoni Gaudí
Issue 34, March 2005
13.799 items
SUMMARY
- HIGHLIGHTS:
- III GAUDÍ PRICE OF POETRY AND SHORT NARRATIVE 2005
- NEW ITEMS ON THE WEB
- GAUDINIAN NEWS
- PROGRESS OF THE RANCAGUA PROJECT
- GAUDINIAN AGENDA
- COURSE “LEARNING ABOUT GAUDÍ”
- OUR MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
- 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
- LINKS OF INTEREST
- GAUDINIAN MILESTONES
- CURIOSITIES
- ERRATA
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. HIGHLIGHTS:
- TWO GAUDINIAN EXHIBITIONS : IN MEXICO AND SAINT PETERSBURG
 |
Two cities, two cultures, two languages. Yet both admire the work
of one and the same genius. This month of February, Russia and Mexico pay homage to
Antonio Gaudí with the inauguration of two exhibitions dedicated to the architectonic
legacy of the creator of the Sagrada Familia.
- “The Tower”, in Saint Petersburg : from February
17 th till March 12th 2005
- "Gaudí. Artist of all times”, in City of Mexico:
from February 23rd till April 24th 2005
More
information |
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2. III GAUDÍ PRICE OF POETRY AND SHORT NARRATIVE 2005
Love, hate, happiness, intrigue, fantasy, creativity; description, action, dialogue… Free
your literary creativity and surprise us with you short story or poem!!
Participate in the third edition of the Gaudí Price of Poetry and Short Narrative
2005 convoked by our association. We only require that your work is related to the world
of Gaudí. What does this theme suggest to you?
You have until March 31 st to send us your work. But please, don't wait until the last
moment!!!
A jury consisting of relevant figures in the world of literature and Gaudí will
evaluate all the presented texts.
Rules
More
information
3. NEW ITEMS ON THE WEB
From the projection of a great temple, envy of every city, to the design of a door
handle, Gaudí understood art in terms of architecture. The façade of a building
was as important to him as the comfort one would experience inside each house. The furniture
had to contribute to this idea, so Gaudí, who dominated the characteristics of
wood as well as the secrets of forged iron, designed many pieces of furniture. Each Gaudinian
piece of furniture has its own personality, but it never forgets it is part of a whole.
Read this article about
the evolution and characteristics of Gaudí's furniture.
4. GAUDINIAN NEWS
- EDUARD SOLÉ, PRESIDENT
OF THE GAUDÍ & BARCELONA CLUB, PRESENTS THE BOOK “EL PENSAMENT DE GAUDÍ”
Everybody knows and admires the works of Antoni Gaudí, but only a few people
can contribute facts about his life and way of being. “El pensament de Gaudí” (“Gaudí's
thoughts”), the recently reissued book written by architect Isidre Puig Boada,
personal friend and collaborator of Antoni Gaudí, presents a very valuable
testimony to understand the architect's most human side as well as the philosophy
which determined his work. The presentation of the book took place last Wednesday
February 23 rd at the City Hall of the district of Gràcia in Barcelona .
Eduard Solé, president of the association Gaudí & Barcelona Club
www.gaudiclub.com, emphasised in his intervention the unquestionable contribution
of the work which not only compiles Gaudí's quotations but also puts them in
order by themes and unveils as well the great architect as the sensible man he used
to be. “Personally, I think this book is the bible for all Gaudinists and I'm delighted
it is presented during the Year of the Book, as a manuscript such as deserves this
honour”, Solé said. He added that from a human point of view, it's like going
back to the work of Gaudí, as the architect is his work himself”.
Read
the complete news
- EDUARD SOLÉ AND GAUDI & BARCELONA
CLUB ON THE RADIO
Last February 19 th , Eduard Solé, president of the Gaudí & Barcelona
Club, was interviewed in the program “Actual” at the Channel COPE of Barcelona . During
the chat, Eduard explained the characteristics and goals of our association and informed
about our current and future projects. He also talked about the great admiration and
enthusiasm Gaudí's works evoke worldwide and the increasing number of internet
users subscribing day after day to our Club: we have reached 14.963 members.
- FAILURE OF THE INTERNET CAUTION OF
A TABLE DESIGNED BY GAUDÍ
 |
Last February 25th, the internet auction house Setdart offered
the possibility to acquire by auction a table designed by Gaudí for Casa
Calvet. The starting price was 12.000 euros. In spite of being authenticated by
Dr. Bassegoda, no bidding was done and the lot didn't get sold. |
Setdart regrets the lack of interest the piece arose. In the beginning some Catalan
museums and some collectors seemed to be interested in the purchase, yet they withdrew
because they didn't dispose of funds.
The table consists of a tabletop decorated with three symmetrical faces supported by nine elegant
legs with elephant feet distributed in three lines connected by crosspieces. It's 88 cm high, 180
cm long and 68 cm wide.
In 1898, when Gaudí was already a well-known architect, he was assigned to build a house in
the Eixample for the renowned family Calvet from the textile sector. The architect decided to apply
a neo-baroque style to the house. This was very unusual in Barcelona and in 1900 the house got rewarded
as the best building in the city of that year. Gaudí realized as well the exterior as the interior
design, and dedicated special attention to the design of the physic and mobile carpentry of the house.
The furniture was realized in oak and American yellow pine in the workshops of the company Casas y
Bardés.
Joan Bassegoda, conservator of the Cátedra Gaudí, certified the authenticity of the
table and explained the Gaudí & Barcelona Club that the piece comes form the sisters Masiques
de Vilassar de Dalt, who received it as a wedding present from the widow Calvet.
Would you like to know more about
Casa Calvet?
5. PROGRESS OF THE RANCAGUA PROJECT
In 1922, when he dedicated his entire life to the projection of the Sagrada Familia
Temple , Gaudí received the petition to realize a chapel in Rancagua , Chile .
The assignment came from the Chilean Franciscan Angélico Aranda, who resides was
an artist formed at the Spanish Academy of Rome . He wrote to Gaudí in order to
ask him to design the chapel of his convent in Rancagua , situated at 80 kilometres in
the South of Santiago. The chapel had to be dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels or Porciúncula.
Gaudí answered the letter explaining that he couldn't be in charge of the project
but that he could give him the plans of the chapel of the Ascension of the Virgin as the
dimensions of his church coincided with those of the chapel in the back part of the cloister
of the Sagrada Familia Temple ). However, at the end those plans hadn't been realised… up
until today.
Today, there is a corporation in Chile which is called “Corporación Gaudí de
Triana”. It has three goals:
- Build the chapel
- build a house of loneliness and silence
- Promote the work of Antonio Gaudí in Chile .
Sonia Tschorne, Minister of Housing and Urbanism of Chile, has recently inaugurated
Parque Catalu ny a. According to the information given to us by Beatriz Valenzuela van
Treek, councillor of the ministry, it is foreseen to create in 2005 the “Espacio Gaudí”,
an exhibition hall about Gaudí's work which will be situated in the historical
centre of Rancagua ”.
More information -
Available only in Spanish
6. GAUDINIAN AGENDA
- EXHIBITION “CONTEMPLATIONS”
Last February 4 th our member Juan Millán inaugurated his painting exhibition “Contemplations”,
inspired by the construction works of the Sagrada Familia Temple. The author participated
in the exhibition “International reflections about Gaudí”, organised by the
Gaudí & Barcelona Club in October 2003 in the Mercè cloister of
the Sagrada Familia Temple . Millán's work represents a compromise of the artiste
to perpetuate the work of the architect.
“Contemplations”
Where: Local of the Saint Jordi association. c/ Diputació, 188-196 bajos. Barcelona
When: until March 4 th 2005 , from 5 PM to 9 PM. Free entrance.
www.joanmillan.cjb.net
- COURSE “GET TO KNOW GAUDÍ – ART,
TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE”
Specialisation course “Knowing Gaudí – Art, technology”, under the direction
of Luis Gueilburt, sculptor and professor at the EGA II Department of the EPSEB-UPC,
and Benet Meca, technical architect and professor of the EGA II Department of the
EPSEB-UPC, both members of the Gaudí & Barcelona Club.
The course pretends to divulge Gaudí's architecture through the constructive details and techniques
he used in all his works. It aims to offer a general vision of the motivations those times generated
on the work of the architect as well as to study through his works the history of his life and the
city that welcomes him.
Contents
Conferences and visits to the works of Gaudí:
• 1 st Part: Cátedra Gaudí, Finca Miralles, Finca Güell, Palacio Güell,
Parque de la Ciudadela, Plaza Real.
• 2 nd Part: Sagrada Familia Temple , the Pedrera.
• 3 rd Part: Park Güell, Casa Batlló.
• 4 th Part: Colegio de las Teresianas, Bellesguard Tower , Colonia Güell.
The course is directed to…
…to everybody who's interested in the several disciplines covered by his work, from architecture and
fine arts till the design, whether graphic or industrial, and in general to everybody interested in the
artist's work.
Qualifications
Certificate dispatched by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
This lecture course consists of a total of 52 teaching hours and will be given from
April 5 th 2005 till May 15 th 2005 .
When: Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM
Where: Polytechnic Foundation Catalonia
Price: 350€
More
information - Available only in Spanish
www.fundacio.upc.edu
- “LAS TRES MELLIZAS ( “THE THREE
TWIN SISTERS” ) AND THE ENIGMATIC MASTER GAUDÍ”, IN VITORIA-GASTEIZ
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The Three Twin Sisters come on scene as string puppets! A walk through the works
of Gaudí, where the three twin sisters will live all kind of adventures
based on anecdotes of the life of the architect; a stage design in which the architectonic
decorative elements which characterize Gaudí (the dragons, the trencadís...)
come to life and are related with the characters... |
 |
Puppet show “The three twin sisters and the enigmatic Master Gaudí”
Teatro Principal Antzokia inVitoria
c/ S. Prudencio, 29
March 13 th , 6 PM
- EXHIBITION “EL ÉXITO DE UN
PUEBLO ” (“THE SUCCESS OF A SMALL VILLAGE”) IN PUIGCERDÀ
 |
“El éxito de un pueblo” is an itinerating show created in order
to divulge the past and the future of the project of the construction of the Sagrada
Familia. The exhibition consists of 22 explanatory posters where the visitor can
get to know the evolution of the Temple from the beginning in 1882 until today.
Because of its didactic approach, this exhibition is addressed as well to school
groups as to the general public. |
Exhibition “El éxito de un pueblo”
Cerdà Museum , “El Convento”, in Puigcerdà
c/ Higini de Rivera, 4. Puigcerdà
During the entire month of March
From Monday until Friday: from 9 AM to 3 PM and 5:30 PM to 9;30 PM
Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM and from 5PM to 8PM
Free entrance.
- ITINERATING GAUDI CABINET IN CASTELLÓN
DE LA PLANA
The Gaudí cabinet is didactic equipment, created by the cultural foundation
of the Social Work of Caixa Catalunya, which ambitions to stimulate the curiosity
for the work of Gaudí and to divulge his contributions as an architect as well
as his personal work method. It shows Gaudí's most important works through
a technical file, floor and section drawings and a selection of photographs. It also
presents a workshop for the schoolboys and schoolgirls, where the monitor who directs
the activity presents the technical contributions of Antoni Gaudí to the world
of architecture, with the support of scale models, objects and projected images.
Itinerating Gaudí Cabinet
Museum of Fine Arts in Castellón. Avda. Hermanos Bou, 28. Castellón de la Plana
From February 11 th to March 28 th 2005
From Tuesday until Saturday 10 Am to 8 PM
Sunday and holidays from 10 Am to 2 PM
New web site of the Fundación La Pedrera
- ADVANCES: GAUDÍ EXHIBITION IN
ROTTERDAM
Next April 28 th the exhibition “Antoni Gaudí. Dreaming and Building” will
be inaugurated in the Museum “Kunsthal” in Rotterdam . It will show the importance
of Gaudí as an architect, designer and interior designer, through scale models
of works, furniture, plans, drawings, photographs, etc. We collaborate actively with
the exhibition through the Cátedra Gaudí.
www.kunsthal.nl
7. SUBMERGE YOURSELF IN GAUDI'S LIFE AND WORKS HOW?
Through the online course “Learning
about Gaudí”
The association Gaudí & Barcelona Club puts at your disposition a unique
initiation course on the internet, especially created for our members: Learning about
Gaudí. As the course is completely on distance, you can follow it from everywhere
in the world, in Spanish or in English. For only 66 euros you will receive 12 lessons
by e-mail, one lesson each month, explaining the principal works and projects, chronologies,
images, recommended bibliography...
You will have a tutor at your disposition who will answer all your doubts and queries.
Directed by Professor Juan Bassegoda Nonell, Dr. architect and conservator of the Real
Cátedra Gaudí, reknown as the first Gaudí expert in the world and
expert in his works, life and miracles.
It's a great opportunity to take advantage of his knowledge!!!
Program and more information
about the course
Subscribe
now
8. OUR MEMBER'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Mauricio shows us some nice
pictures of the works he has realized about the structure of Gaudí's
work.
Ugis and Juris from Leetonia show
us their furniture and Gaudinist constructions… real pieces of art!
We already know that Gaudí provokes fervour among his admires. This is confirmed
by our member Susana from Guipuzcoa:
'As I'm an architecture student I'm interested in Gaudí, basically, and I think
I can't find any other architect I adore as much as this man, expect from Luis Barragán.
I think it is thanks to his extremely commoving, sensible and profound personality that
Gaudí has reached all those unexpected limits I think he hadn't even imagined himself.
There should be more architects like him, as respectful towards Nature, the mother and
god of creation; many people who presume they use bioclimatic architecture do not more
than speculating with the environment in stead of adhering to is and disappearing in it.
I only hope that more people like Gaudí and Jujol will understand one day the mystery
of life. I'm trying to do so.'
Audrey Ann wrote us these beautiful words from Venezuela :
After I had had the opportunity to visit GAUDI's great works two years ago, I got so
impregnated by his art that today I feel humble admirer of the most creative man of beauty,
glamour and architecture comfort on earth.'
9. CAN YOU HELP US WITH YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION?
Just as Gaudí met Eusebi Güell, who financed his projects, our association
would like to count on the support of one or more sponsors to realise our projects and
expand Gaudí's name everywhere in the world.
We have various initiatives going on and we have still some ideas in reserve. But therefore
we need really you or your organisation to help us.
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. If you cannot help us with your financial contribution, please
give us some ideas to get the financial support we need so much .
Collaborate with
your association!!
Besides, you will benefit from advantages such as discounts on our online shop and
on our cultural Gaudí Barcelona Tours.
10. VISIT OUR ONLINE SHOP
 |
New puzzles:
Puzzle
Gaudi Collage 1500 pieces: 26 €
Can you tell which works of Gaudí are represented in this puzzle?
1.500 pieces
Dimensions: 85 x 60 cm. |
 |
Frame
spire towers Sagrada Familia: 108 €
Frame inspired by the figure of the spires of the Sagrada Familia towers, according
to a bas-relief ceramics process, with application of colour enamel. Decorated by
hand.
Lacquered black glossy support of 30 x 39 cm presented in a nice box.
Ceramics dimensions : 21 x 28 cm.
Support dimensions : 30 x 39 cm. |
 |
Extra
Virgin Olive Oil: 16,5 €
Produced according to traditional methods based on a selection of the best “arbequina” olive
oils recollected by hand, presented in a crystal oil bottle in a precious metal can
in Gaudinian style.
It's an oil of high quality, with extraordinary culinary, diet and medicine properties.
It will clearly differentiate your dishes, giving them a delicious Mediterranean
gastronomic taste. |
 |
Silla
Batllo Original Reproduction: 900 €
Massive oak chair varnished designed for the Casa Batlló. A design of Gaudí that
decorates your house on itself. Wouldn't you like to have it?
Worldwide delivery.
Dimensions : 50 x 50 x 75 cm. |
11. BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY
 |
El
pensament de Gaudí (“Gaudi's thoughts”): 24 €
New edition of the recompilation of texts and comments of Gaudí, published
by Isidre Puig-Boada in 1981.
The book discovers the most human facet of the genius architect, and presents in
an ordered and exhaustive way the comments which Gaudí expressed, mainly orally,
to his friends and collaborators.
Language: Catalán |
 |
The
little story of Gaudí: 10 €
Beautifully drawn “biography” about Gaudí. The language is simple enough
to be understood by children, but on the same time it also teaches us adults a lot
about the great architect and his works.
Languages : English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French and Japanese |
 |
Gaudí in
the Vall de Lillet: 16 €
Interesting book which presents an entire historical and photographic route through
the Jardines Artigas which might be the less known work of Gaudí. The text
also includes a meticulous description of the Xalet de Catllaràs and the Xalet
del Clot del Moro.
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and French |
12. GAUDÍ TODAY
Available only in Spanish
13. GAUDÍ TOURS – TRAVEL WITH US
As from March 15 th we will reinitiate the
collective tours which will lead you to the principal works of Gaudí, at popular
prices.
- HELICOPTER FLIGHTS TO MONTSERRAT
According to the song: “los ángelitos, con sierra de oro, serraron las montañas
para hacer el palacio de la Virgen Moreneta, patrona de Catalunya1”
One hour flight Barcelona-Montserrat-Barcelona.
1) "with their golden saw the little angles sew the mountains
to make the palace of the Virgen Moreneta, patroness of Catalonia”.
14. BARCELONA'S HEARTBEAT
- ANTHOLOGY OF THE SPANISH GUITAR
WITH MANUEL GONZÁLEZ
Nexts concerts at 9 PM:
Saturday March 5 th:
Concert of Aranjuez – Santa Maria del Pi Basilique.
Pl. del Pi, 7. Barcelona
Price: 15 €, 50 % discount for all the members of the Gaudí & Barcelona Club
Works of Rodrigo, Albéniz and Falla, interpreted by Manuel González and Antoni Olaf Sabater
(synthesizer)
Thursday March 10 th:
Concert of the Alambra – Sant Jaume Church.
c/ Ferran, 28. Barcelona
Price: 10 €, 50 % discount for all the member of the Gaudí & Barcelona Club
Works of Rodrigo, Tárrega and Albéniz, interpreted by Manuel González
Saturday March 12 th:
Concert of Aranjuez – Sant Just i Pastor Basilica.
Pl. Sant Just i Pastor. Barcelona
Price: 15 €, 50 % discount for the members of the Gaudí & Barcelona Club
Tuesday March15 th , Friday March 18 th:
Concert of Aranjuez – Basilica Santa Maria del Pi.
Pl. del Pi, 7. Barcelona
Price:15 €, 50 % discount for all the members of the Gaudí & Barcelona Club
We will go on publishing the agenda of this most interesting cycle “Anthology of the
Spanish guitar” in the paragraph “This
week's specials” of the section “Barcelona
's heartbeat” (available only in Spanish).
- PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION “VISIONS OF NATURE” BY
JAUME MESTRES
Our member Jaume Mestres, Modernism photographer, has inaugurated the exhibition “Visions
of Nature”, in which he presents images of landscapes and flowers: “…nature is poetry,
poetry is this flower born somewhere, this source emanating from the rocks….”
From March 1 st till April 30 th 2005
Hospital de l'Esperança. Sala de Consultas externas
From 8 AM to 5 PM
15. LINKS OF INTEREST
Article about “ The functional
and pleasant furniture of a consumed cabinet-maker”
16. GAUDINIAN MILESTONES
 |
On March 15 th 1878 , Antoni Gaudí received his title in architecture.
In order to celebrate it, he had himself pictured by the prestigious photographer Adouard.
This is the first conserved picture of the architect, at the age of 26 years old.
When he received the title, Gaudí said to his friend Joan Matamala Flotats: “ They
say I already am an architect”. It seems that he already considered himself
as such since a long time before. The director of the School of Architecture Elías
Rogent , doubted: “I don't know whether we are giving the title to a genius or to
a fool. |
17. CURIOSITIES
EL TESTAMENTO DE GAUDÍ
Gaudí made up his testimony in the presence of notary Ramon Cantó in Puigcedà,
on June 6 th 1911 . He got the fever of Malta and was afraid for his live. However, the
document got destroyed in July 1936 because of the war. Some files of the testimony are
conserved at the Colegio Notarial of Barcelona.
Gaudí installed himself at with Dr. Santaló at Hotel Europa in Puigcerdà,
who was appointed executer of the testimony. Santaló was a good friend of the architect,
who even answered his correspondence, due to the weakness of Gaudí. Because of
his illness, Gaudí was obliged to limit his activities.
Gaudí regressed from Puigcerdà in the month of October the same year 1911.
During the period he passed in this city of the Pyrenees , the works he was realising
those days almost got paralysed.
One he was back, Gaudí designed the passion facade of the Sagrada Familia Temple.
18. ERRATA
In the last Gaudí News, issue 32, we announced the article “Walking
with Gaudí”, by Isabel Goig. In this article Fola Igúrbide was erroneously
identified as the leading lady in the work “Emilio Zola or the power of the genius”.
It actually concerned José Fola Igúrbide, dramaturge and author of the
mentioned work, just like our member Mª Antonia showed us.
19. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to express our gratitude:
- to Beatriz Valenzuela from Treek, councillor of SEREMI Housing and Urbanism, for sending
us the news about the progress of the construction of the Rancagua Chape.
- to Mª Antonia, for communicating us the error in the text “Walking with Gaudí”
- to Marina , from Setdart, fort he information about the caution of the Gaudí table
- to Olga Kostuchenko, for the exhibition in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
- to Beatriz Cortés, from the Antiguo Colegio of Saint Ildefonso for the exhibition
in Mexico.
- to Mauricio, for his pictures from the Gaudinian scale models.
- to Audrey Ann and Susana, for their nice words
- to all the members who congratulate us with our web and who encourage us to continue
sharing the work and life of Gaudí with the world.
Thank you very much to all of you.
Come on and join us!
If you don't remember your id number and password, please send an e-mail: news@gaudiclub.com
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 |
