Can't wait for the Gaudi and Sagrada Familia exhibition

スペインが誇る天才ガウディは、現在でもカタルーニャの代表的な建築家として今も国内外から愛されています。ガウディのあまりに独創的で自由な建築は、ときに"狂人"と周りに言われるほど斬新なものでした。 (English) The genius Gaudi, the pride of Spain, is still loved at home and abroad as the representative architect of Catalonia. Gaudi's original and free architecture was so innovative that he was sometimes called a "madman" by those around him.

Can't wait for the Gaudi and Sagrada Familia exhibition! [Part 1] The Life of the Architect Gaudi

// Summary -Level-C2//

The "Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Exhibition" in Tokyo explores the life and work of Antoni Gaudi, the renowned Catalan architect. Gaudi's innovative designs were initially seen as madness, influenced by nature and the Mudéjar style. His work, including the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Park Guell, was primarily commissioned by Eusebio Guell. Devout Catholicism and a focus on Christian work marked Gaudi's later life. Nevertheless, his unique design techniques, such as the 'upside-down model' method and practical construction, continue to influence modern architecture.

A)

The genius Gaudi, the pride of Spain, is still loved at home and abroad as the representative architect of Catalonia. Gaudi's original and free architecture was so innovative that he was sometimes called a "madman" by those around him.

At the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, the "Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Exhibition" will be held from Tuesday, 13 June to Sunday, 10 September 2023. For this reason, Irohani Art will send you six commentary articles to help you enjoy the exhibition.

In this first part, let's review the life of architect Gaudi.

B)

Table of Contents

Gaudí's life 1: Genius or madness?

Gaudí's life 2: Modernismo

Gaudi's life 3: He became a devout Catholic in his later years

Gaudi's life 4: Influence on later architects

C)

Gaudí's life 1: Genius or madness?

Antoni Gaudi (25 June 1852 - 10 June 1926) was an architect from Catalonia, Spain. "Catalonia" refers to the region of the Mediterranean coast in the northeastern part of Spain, which includes Barcelona.

Gaudi worked mainly in Barcelona in the 19th and 20th centuries, and his representative buildings include the "Sagrada Familia", "Casa Mila", "Casa Batllo", and "Park Guell".

Although sickly, Gaudi was a keen observer of nature from an early age. From 19, he studied at the Higher Technical School of Architecture in Barcelona and started working in an architectural firm while still at school. The school director is said to have said, "I don't know if he's a madman or a genius, time will tell" when he sees Gaudi.

At age 26, he qualified as an architect, and his display at the Paris Exposition caught the eye of the wealthy Eusebio Guell, who began accepting commissions. Guell commissioned Gaudi's work for 40 years, including the Palacio Guell, the Colonia Guell crypt and the Guell Park.

D)

Gaudi's Life 2: Modernismo

When Gaudi began to work, an art form called "Art Nouveau" was gaining popularity in France. "Art Nouveau is a French word meaning new art."

Art Nouveau is an art movement that combines curved lines with organic designs, such as flowers and plants, to create unconventional and free decoration. It was mainly used in arts and crafts.

E)

On the other hand, in Spain, where Gaudi was active, an art similar to Art Nouveau called "Modernismo" was born. Both movements emphasised the incorporation of natural motifs into their work and the innovation of combining new materials with traditional ones.

A distinctive feature of Modernismo compared to Art Nouveau is the influence of the Mudéjar style, which is unique to the Iberian Peninsula. The Mudéjar style is a fusion of European and Islamic cultures preserved in Spain and Portugal, once Islamic countries.

F)

Gaudí's life 3: He became a devout Catholic later.

Although Gaudí was not very religious in his youth, he became a devout Catholic in his old age and fasted. One of the reasons for Gaudi's change of religion was his involvement in the construction of the Sagrada Familia church.

After 1914, he received no work other than Christian work, concentrating on the construction of the Sagrada Familia, which was interrupted for various reasons.

G)

Gaudí's life 4: Influence on later architects

Gaudi's unique designs influenced many later architects. Gaudi was a representative architect of Catalan Modernism, and his design techniques and decoration had a significant influence.

Gaudi created many models instead of blueprints, and in particular, the 'upside-down model' method, made with net-like threads, is still used in the architectural world today. For example, if you build a structure with lines and turn it upside down, the lines, stretched downwards by gravity, take the shape of the building. Turning the resulting structure upside down is a technique that naturally creates a structure with a stable centre of gravity.

Gaudí also worked on the practical construction of houses. By placing a ventilation opening in the door or window, he created a mechanism that allowed air to pass through using rising air currents. This structure allows air to pass through even in Barcelona's hot summers, making it relatively comfortable.

Gaudi's architecture, combining beauty and ecology, seems to have much to teach 21st-century architects.

I hope this article helps you to understand the genius of Gaudi. Please enjoy the exhibition based on the above premise at the "Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Exhibition".

Can't wait for the Gaudi and Sagrada Familia exhibition! [Part 1] The Life of the Architect Gaudi

https://irohani.art/study/13538/

How to raise any child to be a genius?

https://warakura.com/generalstatement-1426

What effect does nature experience have on children? Ten ways to enjoy nature

https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/466044/

//Summary -Level-C2//

Exposure to nature significantly benefits children's mental and physical health, cognitive function, and creativity, according to various studies. In addition, it alleviates stress, improves symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD, and enhances physical well-being. Nature experiences also foster a respect for the environment. Even virtual nature experiences can have positive effects, such as healthier exercise outcomes. Thus, nature plays a crucial role in children's overall development.

"Nature experience is important for children" Somehow, many people think so. So what exactly is nature experience, and how does it affect children? First, let's take a look at some research.

■ Promotes mental health

Many studies show that spending time in nature reduces stress in adults. But what about children? Research at the University of ColoradoAccording to the school, the presence of trees, flowers and other natural elements on the school grounds alleviates children's stress and lack of concentration. Many studies also show that nature experiences improve depression and anxiety, which are said to be on the rise in recent years.

■ Research at the University of Utah fosters creativity

According to the study, when subjects were asked to spend four days away from their electronic devices in nature, their scores on a test of creativity increased by 50 per cent.

A study by Dr Nancy Wheel of the University of California that increases cognition

According to the study, exposure to nature has the effect of enhancing cognitive function. Again survey of 2,593 children attending 36 schools in Barcelona, ​​Spain. They reported that children with more opportunities to come into contact with nature were mentally healthy and had higher cognitive abilities.

■ Improvement of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)

According to the University of Illinois professors Frances Kuo and André Afaiver, who have spent more than a decade researching the relationship between children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and their natural environment, It is said that having more opportunities to touch, significant improvement in symptoms was observed.

■ Promotes physical well-being

Clear air relieves asthma in children, and gazing at distant mountains and the horizon prevents vision loss. Again research at the University of TennesseeAccording to the report, children play more actively in playgrounds made of natural materials, such as logs and in contact with nature, such as trees and flowers, than in gardens that are not. This article introduced children's lack of exercise has become a severe problem. Touching nature can also be connected to the lack of exercise.

Also, a study by Coventry University in the UK there is.is an experiment with 9-10-year-old children. One group was shown a video of a forest landscape, while the other group was asked to cycle indoors for 15 minutes without visual stimulation. It is said that the children who exercised while looking at the natural scenery showed healthier exercise effects, such as lower blood pressure. So it is practical to experience nature virtually.

■ Cultivate the feeling of taking care of nature and the earth

A Cornell University study found that children who regularly played in the heart, such as camping or hiking, tended to have more respect for nature and the environment in adulthood than those who did not.

As mentioned above, being in contact with nature benefits children's minds, brains, and bodies.

Add info No1)

Why did the Sagrada Familia let Japanese Etsuro Sotoo carve the stone?

https://www.chichi.co.jp/web/sotooetsurou/

// Summary -Level-C2//

Japanese sculptor Etsuro Sotoo, who has worked on the Sagrada Familia for over 34 years, attributes his long tenure to his commitment and willingness to risk everything for his work—despite not being a permanent employee, his dedication and ability to produce work that satisfied the church's standards allowed him to continue contributing to the project. Sotoo believes that genuinely living involves taking risks and being prepared to continue one's work, even in death.

Architect Antonio Gaudi designed the Sagrada Familia church. Etsuro Sotoo, a Japanese sculptor, participated in constructing this majestic cathedral, which is still unfinished more than 130 years after construction began.

Of the approximately 200 architects, sculptors, and others who work at the Sagrada Familia, Mr Sotoo is said to have performed the longest and inherited Gaudi's will most deeply. So why has he overpowered the famous sculptors in his home country and been entrusted with such important work?

Q. This year marks the 34th year (as of 2012) since you moved to Spain.

A. Yes, that's right. Nothing has changed regarding my feelings, but I can clearly say that I never once thought I would be able to work there for 34 years. I always, always felt that it would be my last job.

I was not an employee of the Sagrada Familia for a long time, but a contract sculptor who worked on a one-off, contract basis. If I could not produce work that satisfied the church, my contract could be cut off. I don't like the word 'risking my life' because it sounds tragic, but for me personally, I always risked my life. I have to put my life on the line to do exciting work.

But I think being alive is putting your life on the line. People in the middle of a war who don't know if they will live tomorrow feel alive now. A person told they have only a few days to live due to illness feels most active now. In other words, the closer you are to death, the more intensely you feel alive, and I think the bottom line is whether you are ready to continue doing this work even if you die.

Add info No2)

Q1. Gaudi, Leonardo da Vinci, Newton, and other geniuses seem to have had the experience of playing in nature as children. How do you think that experience influenced their later achievements?

How do respect, awe, and curious observation of nature relate to a child's brain development?

A1-> Geniuses like Gaudi, Leonardo da Vinci, and Newton, who spent time in nature as children, likely developed a deep curiosity and understanding of the natural world, influencing their later achievements. Their interactions with nature could have fostered creativity, problem-solving skills, and a sense of wonder, crucial for innovative thinking.

The respect, awe, and curious observation of nature can stimulate a child's brain development by encouraging exploration and inquiry, fostering cognitive flexibility, and promoting the development of observational and analytical skills. These experiences can also nurture a sense of respect and appreciation for the natural world, inspiring a lifelong passion for understanding and preserving it.

Q2. What senses and sensitivities can be nurtured by playing in nature as a child?

For example, I think reading books in the library and watching movies and plays is essential, but what kind of influence do you think the beauty, wonder and awe of nature have on you when you grow up?

A2-> Playing in nature as a child can nurture various senses and sensitivities. For example, it can enhance physical senses like touch, smell, and sight as children interact with different textures, scents, and companies in the natural world. It can also develop a sense of balance and spatial awareness through activities like climbing trees or navigating uneven terrain.

In terms of sensitivities, nature can foster a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world, a sense of curiosity and wonder, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things. It can also nurture empathy and respect for other forms of life.

Experiencing nature's beauty, wonder, and awe can profoundly influence as one grows up. It can inspire creativity, peace and well-being, and a desire to protect and preserve the natural world. It can also provide a sense of perspective, reminding us of our place in the larger scheme of things. This can lead to a more grounded, balanced approach to life and a deeper understanding of our world.

Q3. If a child lived without contact with nature, how would that child be different from a child who grew up in nature?

For example, what is the difference between feeling alive, respect and reverence, compassion and humility, and a love of nature?

A3-> A child who grows up without contact with nature may have a different perspective and set of experiences than one immersed in the natural world.

Feeling Alive: A child interacting with nature may develop a more profound sense of being alive. The sensory experiences, physical activities, and unpredictability of nature can stimulate a child's awareness of their existence and vitality. In contrast, a child without these experiences might not have the same sensory stimulation and physical engagement level.

Respect and Reverence: Regular interactions with nature can instil deep respect and reverence for the natural world. A child who sees the complexity and beauty of nature firsthand may develop a sense of awe and respect for the environment. Conversely, a child without these experiences may not produce the same level of appreciation or understanding of the natural world.

Compassion and Humility: Nature can teach children about the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all living things, fostering empathy for other forms of life and humility about their place in the world. A child without contact with nature may not have the same opportunities to learn these lessons firsthand.

Love of Nature: A child who grows up in nature will likely develop a passion for the outdoors and a desire to protect it. On the other hand, a child who lacks contact with nature may not form the same emotional connection to the environment.

It's important to note that these general observations and individual experiences vary widely. In addition, there are many ways to foster these values and experiences outside of direct contact with nature, such as through education, storytelling, and virtual experiences.

Q4. What does it mean that "There are many ways to foster these values and experiences outside of direct contact with nature, such as through education, storytelling, and virtual experiences?"

Please give one specific example.

A4-> Even without direct contact with nature, children can still develop an appreciation and understanding of the natural world through various means.

For instance, education plays a crucial role. Schools can incorporate environmental education into their curriculum, teaching children about different ecosystems, the importance of biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities on the environment. This knowledge can foster a sense of respect and responsibility towards nature.

Storytelling is another powerful tool. Children's books or stories that feature nature and wildlife can spark a child's imagination and curiosity about the natural world. For example, a story about a young girl who helps save a forest from being cut down can teach children about the importance of conservation.

Virtual experiences, such as nature documentaries or virtual reality experiences, can also provide children with a glimpse into the natural world. For example, a virtual reality program that allows children to "dive" into the ocean and explore a coral reef can foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for marine life.

In essence, while direct contact with nature is invaluable, many other ways exist to instil a love and understanding of the natural world in children.

Q5. Can you recommend five nature documentaries, picture books or stories for children?

Please list the title, the name of the author or photographer, and a brief synopsis of no more than 60 words.

A5-> Absolutely. Here are five recommendations:

1. Documentary: "Planet Earth" by BBC - This groundbreaking series narrated by David Attenborough showcases the world's most incredible ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them, using high-definition technology to capture stunning footage.

Top 5 David Attenborough Moments | BBC Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tvA3Ezqjl8

2. Picture Book: "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry - A beautifully illustrated tale about a man who decides not to cut down a kapok tree in the Amazon rainforest after the creatures in it plead with him to reconsider.

The Great Kapok Tree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcKHD4uTLR4

3. Story: "The Lorax" by Dr Seuss - This classic story delivers a powerful message about respecting and preserving the environment, told through the tale of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees.

Read Aloud: "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ1KY510MzI

4. Documentary: "The Blue Planet" by BBC - Another Attenborough-narrated series focuses on the world's oceans, exploring the diverse creatures and landscapes beneath the waves.

The Blue Planet Collection | Part 1 | BBC Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4aQqx_Zo00

5. Picture Book: "Over and Under the Pond" by Kate Messner - This book explores the thriving ecosystems in and around a mountain pond, teaching children about the interconnectedness of nature.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490uChIgbnk