LIGHT COLOR ARCHITECTURE
SPECIAL TALK INSIDE
SAGRADA FAMILIA TEMPLE
Conversation with Pilar Aldana-Méndez
Photo Pilar Aldana-Méndez - Winter Solstice 2018
A
special look at the Temple of the Holy Family
We
will talk about the architectural details of the temple that impact and excite the visitor
thanks to the
impeccable treatment of light, color and geometry,
It
includes the symbolic and technical analysis of the stained glass windows,
the
study of Gaudi's geometry, the history of the construction,
appreciation
of the presence of light and color taking special photos, ...
We
will see the sculptures in solid glass that I created for the Sacristy Tower,
special
work that requires experience in the treatment of light
The content of the conversation is large;
I adapt the talk to the interests of the visitors. The duration is 1.30 hours.
After our conversation I suggest to visit the Museum, watch the video with the
architectural evolution, return to the interior of the temple to appreciate the
changes of light and color, observe architectural details of the facades and
tour the temple at a greater distance to appreciate it as a whole, see the
towers under construction and take a clear idea of how the temple will look
once it is finished.
DETAILS AND RESERVATIONS
THE SPECIAL RESEARCH
The Sagrada
Familia Temple is a great treasure of cultural heritage of humanity. Its value
is due to the condensation of more than one century of research, experience,
thoughts and actions initiated by the brilliant architect Antoni Gaudi and
followed by the coherent group of architects, industrials, craftsmen and
artists who have worked and who still continue to build the temple.
Gaudi established
his research laboratory at the Colonia Guell and later in the workshop at the
temple, leaving clear ideas for its construction widely shaped in models,
drawings and writings. Actually, the working team follows the concepts from the master Gaudi, making them real through new generation technical procedures
developed to continue this complex construction. The Sagrada Familia is
currently the largest living architecture laboratory in the world.
I started my
research for light and color with the study of the presence of glass as a key
element to create the warm atmosphere and generate the symbolic effects
predicted by Gaudi. The study includes the stained glass windows on the
geometrical walls, the lanterns suspended in the ceiling, the sculptures in
glass and the Venetian glass mosaics of the pinnacles of the towers. It was important
to continue with the study of the different stones and the great variety of
materials involved in the construction. To study the concepts of rule geometry
used by Gaudi to create the architectural patterns that will flood the interior
of the temple with light, to understand his research about color by Tricomy and
to know his experiments to measure the vibration of colors. To know the special
study of the structure of nature that Gaudi applied in the architectural
solutions of the temple to create a unique space. With all these elements, the
master was able to raise the symbolic content to create a magnificent temple
for all cultures.
All this leads
me to look for “Who was Gaudi” who posed a challenge to humanity, the challenge
to build this temple of light. I had research into the history of his life and
his identity as an architect of the modernism. It’s still a challenge for me to
keep learning about the master of proportions, the visionary Gaudi who believes
in the development of technology, the young and curious Gaudi who receives the commission
of the Sagrada Familia Temple and the mature, obsessive and precise Gaudi who
projects the amazing interior of the temple during the last years of his life.
Thanks to the
experience in the treatment of light in my sculptural work, I made nine
sculptures in solid glass for the top of the Sacristy Tower for the Sagrada
Familia Temple, a very special commission from the architects. The project took
place between 2014 and 2016. I present at the conference the evolution of the
project with the realization in Czech Republic and details of the installation.
The realization
of the glass sculptures for the temple opened the doors to the research that
nourishes this talk, the conference and the project to produce a special film. The research has allowed me to discover
amazing details with conversations with architects, interviews with artists as
Joan Vila-Grau, creator of the stained glass windows of the temple, visits to
the industrials, artists and craftsmen, studies at the Gaudi Research Institute,
special readings, and very important, the large photographic registration of the presence
of light inside the temple that fills the space with different touches of color
all year around. This way I continue to shape the script of the film, the
conference and the conversations in the temple, with a clear knowledge of Gaudi’s
work.
THE CONVERSATION INCLUDES:
THE
MASTER GAUDÍ 1852-1926 – Thoughts, work and simbology.
NATURE
- Observation and study of nature.
ARCHITECTURE
- Models of ruled geometry applied by Gaudi.
Inside
spaces, columns, ceiling, windows and façades.
STONE
AND OTHER MATERIALS - Traditional and modern materials.
HISTORY
OF THE CONSTRUCTION - In Gaudi's time and the evolution until today.
TECHNOLOGICAL
INNOVATION - How it is built today.
PRESENCE
OF GLASS - Gaudi's studies for light and color, Tricomy experiments.
STAINED
GLASS WINDOWS – Technique and symbology.
Joan
Vila-Grau, artist that creates the stained glass windows.
LANTERNS
OF THE CEILING - Glass lanterns in Fusing and Thermoforming
GLASS
OF THE CUPULA OF THE ALTAR - Casting Technique
PINACLES
WITH VENETIAN GLASS MOSAIC - Venetian Glass, light and color on the outside of
the temple.
THE
MOVEMENT OF LIGHT
Observation
of the effects according to the time of the day with photographic record
GLASS
SCULPTURES FROM PILAR ALDANA-MÉNDEZ
Sculptures
in solid glass for the top of the Sacristy Tower – General details
SPECIAL TOPICS
Art
and crafts
Art
and technology
Art,
Nature and Architecture
Glass,
Light and Architecture
Gothic
vs Hellenism
Photo Pilar Aldana-Méndez - Summer Solstice 2018
