My Take of an Architectural Masterpiece

Imagine yourself sitting on a rooftop, in your very own piso, (apartment) with a clear view of Antoni Gaudi's architectural masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia.

My Take of an Architectural Masterpiece

The young couple on the right are those lucky people who can view it any time of the day or night.

So, I guess I did take a more original photo than I thought, a topic I wrote in the post Sometimes the Face Doesn't Matter.

Oh, and the happy couple?

They're still happy.

Note: Every subject here deliberately posed!

View barcalunacy's Architecture FLCKR photoset.

Sometimes the Face Doesn't Matter

There have been so many MANY pictures taken of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia that I figure I would have to scale it all by myself to get a photo with a different perspective that would captivate the world.

And!

With my love of heights, I don't think that's going to happen any too soon.

So ... what to do. It was a beautiful day and pesky tourists were everywhere.

I resorted to taking "another" photo of the cathedral when ...

Sometimes the Face Doesn't Matter

There she was!!

She stood out from the crowd in her bright clothing on this chilly day, absorbed in her magazine, completely oblivious to her surroundings.

When I took this photo, I thought her style didn't make sense.

But!

It did and most of all, it was fun.

She showed her individuality and creativity and those qualities I liked.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Dry Spell

For the benefit of those not living here, Barcelona is experiencing a water shortage.

And,

They have sub-contracted a neighboring province to ship water here. Can you imagine that?

Fountains, everywhere, are eerily quiet.

Across the street from la Sagrada Familia, this photo shows a barren, dry space, where

Barcelona, 2008

Only 2 weeks prior, it was filled with water.

You can view the post, A Placid Laze, to compare the differences.

In the grocery stores, shelves are half-empty of bottled water and I now pay double for what is there.

Oh, well.

Thank goodness for coca-cola.

Art_A_Fact

Many people, including yours truly, have been thrilled and gotten chills at seeing New York's Statue of Liberty, Chicago's skyline, Rome's St. Peter's Cathedral, and as a child riding the only ride over and Over and OVER I was ever interested ... Coney Island's Thunderbolt roller coaster .

I still get the same excitement, the same goose pimple feelings when I see this building with its winged arches, numerous construction cranes dancing over the building's roof and its Las Vegas, Gaudi like flamboyance.

I can't give you a better hint than what I wrote and if you guessed la Sagrada Familia give yourself a 6 pointed gold star.

Sagrada Familia
Barcelona, 2008

The picture here was taken from the opposite side of the pond from where I took another photo in a post called A Placid Laze.

I haven't seen any pictures taken from this location but, that is not to say there have been none.

I hope you see its beauty, feel what I feel and experience a breath-taking appreciation of true art.

Alas, just my humble opinion.

A Placid Laze

Two weeks ago, the Democratic candidates for the United States presidency found themselves in Puerto Rico soliciting the islander's votes.

Ah! Yes!

Beautiful Puerto Rico.

The land where the blue water is actually blue and where sea horses and star fish are in abundance.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were the envy of many of those on the mainland who suffered a brutal winter in many parts of the United States.

But in Barcelona, across the street from la Sagrada Familia, behind the many stalls set up for your buying pleasure, there were trees, and an opening wide enough to peak my curiosity.

Barcelona, 2008

I looked and captured this peaceful, serene scene.

Puerto Rico it was not.

But ... not a bad spot either.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

La Sagrada Familia

If you've been to Barcelona chances are that you've seen La Sagrada Familia and your camera and everyone else's including mine has taken a picture and/or a dozen or more.

What fascinates me about La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi, is that construction began around 1883 and has not finished. I heard the target date for completion would be in the neighborhood of 2025. But who knows?

The entire construction of La Sagrada Familia is funded by donations. Imagine that!

For some reason, while the church is fascinating in itself, I am more intrigued by the large cranes used in the construction surrounding the church. To me, the cranes appear to be dancing to silent music. I am overwhelmed at what man can accomplish. So ... I chose to focus on this aspect of La Sagrada Familia.

I hope you see what I see.

Enjoy!


La Sagrada Familia, 2005

From the 7th story of a rooftop taken with a telephoto lens ... about 5 miles away. I just love the way the two apartments buildings act as a frame.


La Sagrada Familia, 2005

Personally, I don't feel the above picture is good, but I like the way the building converges. A strong, wide angle lens would be helpful. Oh well, I will try again.


La Sagrada Familia ... a new addition, 2005


La Sagrada Familia, 2005


La Sagrada Familia, 2005, ... a favorite of mine.


La Sagrada Familia, 2005, another favorite of mine.

La Sagrada Familia is an awesome structure in my eyes. Some people I have met consider the Cathedral to be an eyesore and gaudi-sh ( sorry for the word, I couldn't resist) in design. However, just for the experience and history of the Church, I regard this touristy attraction as a MUST SEE.

For more historical information on La Sagrada Familia, just click on the following links:

http://www.sagradafamilia.org/
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/albums-en/gaudi-sagrada-familia/