Gaudi Superstar

While listening to ‘Barcelona’ by Queen, I think the drama in that song could be a fitting tribute to Gaudi; The Spanish/French architect that was responsible for the famously garish, wild and expressive buildings dotted all around Barcelona.

Gaudi was the first to translate many of his inspirations from nature through shape, light, texture and colour through the structure of entire buildings. I know. I was in one. Sagrada Familia - his unfinished church was thought of as his piece de resistance, and prob his most famous work. I'd been before (with ESKA), but never inside.

This time we queued to get in. The outside of the building gave me goosebumps to look at. Not a measure had been left un-thought. But when I got inside, I was surprised. Disappointed, I was left cold and wishing for more garish Gaudi, but was actually looking at a (still incredible) structure, that had been polished, preened and left pristine by a project of ‘completion’ and constant restoration.

Apart from realising it hadn’t been Gaudi’s idea for the built-in spotlights or the plasma screens, you could see that someone or a group of people had been assigned to recreate or embellish what Gaudi had begun. I was seeking traces of what I thought was authentic, and those flashes of original genius were still very visible. But now, newer parts made it super clean-looking, and was missing Gaudi’s raw touch, and the magic that went with it.

Being in there inspired me so much. Still beautiful, but it reminded me that if you have a calling to do something special and to create something great, NOBODY ELSE can do it quite like you can. Gaudi was special and he did what he was put here to do! And even though he didn’t finish it, I’m glad he did.

People are in AWE of Gaudi’s creations today, so I reckon back then, people would have been either totally amazed or outraged. He would have divided a lot of people’s opinions. But his legacy that was based on creativity and truthful portrayals from good intentions, and his work still entertains the world (just like Freddy Mercury…) Marvellous.

Gaudi: Superstar

(not to be confused with Rowdy Superst*r)

tho I get the feeling he might agree...

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