Paradise Mosaic, a photo from Barcelona, Catalonia

Photographer's Note

Parc Gьell

Gaudн's mosaic work on the main terrace

The focal point of the park is the main terrace, surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. To design the curvature of the bench surface Gaudн used the shape of buttocks left by a naked workman sitting in wet clay. The curves of the serpent bench form a number of enclaves, creating a more social atmosphere. Gaudн incorporated many motifs of Catalan nationalism, and elements from religious mysticism and ancient poetry, into the Park. The visitor was originally greeted by two life-size mechanical gazelles (a major euphemistic symbol of 'the young beloved' in the Hebrew strand of the medieval love poetry of the region), but these have since been lost during the turbulence of war.

Park Gьell is one of the achievements of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudн in Barcelona found on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. It was built between 1900 and 1914.
This would cause a city's patron, Eusebi Gьell, asked him to build on a hill south of the city (El Caramel). Modeled on English (his original name was Park Gьell Parque Gьell and not), it would include a chapel and a total of 60 houses. But the cost increased to such an extent that only two houses were completed and the park. The latter became the property of the city of Barcelona in 1922. He became one of the busiest spots in town.
Gaudн sought to preserve the natural terrain and giving free rein to his imagination gave birth to an original work in all curves. True to his style, he created a work that fits the nature and reproduces, columns simulating paths such as tree trunks.
Up the main staircase with the dragon fountain, symbol of alchemy and the fire is the pillared hall. This room, also known as Room 100 columns, although only 86 have been completed, is located in the central park. Originally, Gaudi had designed to accommodate a market.

The square is bordered by a bench which undulates like a snake than 150 meters long. This bench is remarkable: sitting in a loop, it is safe and we see her neighbors in an intimate space, while having a view of the rest of the bench. Sitting at the end of the meander, it opens the world of the square, ready to meet people.
(Wikipйdia)

Theme Nouvel an а Barcelone

ikeharel, Budapestman, Vasa, zoomer, carlosmarin, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (113319) 2010-01-08 0:55

Being there in Guel-Parc, I know the beauty of the place, it's unique art , and corners of surpriseing architecture.
One can go around it for houers, enriching eyes and sole.
T F S
Ike

Budapestman (82620) 2010-01-08 2:11

Hi Valerie,
superb photo from this exciting architecture with beautiful details. The depth of the photo is effective, the sight of the resting people provides pleasant mood to the photo. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

coco (30439) 2010-01-08 5:19

Hi Valerie.

Good work with the composition. The vertical view was the best one and also the colours look very nice.

Well done.

Silvio1953 (221563) 2010-01-08 10:49

Ciao Valerie, beautiful composition with lovely people, wonderful colors and excellent POV on Gaudi's work, I like a lot, ciao Silvio
PS thanks for the nice comment to my prefer oak:)

Vasa (515) 2010-01-08 11:31

Merci Valerie de ce clin d'oeil vers Gaudi. Tu as eu le privilege de voir l'original. Moi je m'absorbe souvent dans un livre consacre a son oeuvre. Et je m'inspire. Ta photo va dans ce sens. Amicalement

Branko

MarianneS (15338) 2010-01-08 11:36

Bonjour Valйrie,
Tu t'es laissйe envoыter par les belles courbes de Gaudi? Comment y rйsister???
J'ai adorй l'endroit que tu nous prйsentes, plein de mystиre et de magie. La vue sur Barcelone de lа-haut est magnifique, n'est-ce pas?
Tu nous prйsentes une partie joliment colorйe de cette longue mosaпque!
L'arriиre-plan me plaоt un peu moins, peut-кtre parce trop chargй а mon goыt ou parce que je ne sais plus trop si tu veux montrer les visiteurs qui profitent d'un moment de dйtente ou la mosaпque elle-mкme, comme s'ils voulaient se partagent la vedette.
Si c'est la mosaпque que tu veux mettre en valeur, un bokeh aurait permis de diminuer la distraction apportйe par les personnes prйsentes (surtout le monsieur qui fait la photo). Si non, un format horizontal aurait peut-кtre bien fonctionnй pour montrer les 'serpentins' et tous ces gens installйs.
Ce n'est qu'histoire de goыts, bien sыr...
Amicalement,
Marianne

zoomer (6) 2010-01-08 18:50

Greetings,a stimulating picture with vivid colors,interesting design and people taking it easy.A wide angle lens would have worked great here.Love that mosaic work.All the best,Wolf.

Graal (103040) 2010-01-08 23:55

Bonjour Valerie,
good reportage from Barcelona. Another interesting place. Good shot, well composed image. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

Nicou (193806) 2010-01-09 0:57

Hello,

Merveilleuse compo de ces masaпques, le format colle aprfaitement avec ton sujet, on voit bien la perspective et l'ensemble, avec en premier plan cette courbe du bord, mangigique.

Bravo et amitiй

Nicou

siam2005 (1566) 2010-01-09 4:09

Ciao Valerie,
bella immagine di fantastiche opere d'arte di cui Barcellona и finemente decorata. Il mosaico и uno dei miei hobby e questi luoghi sono una grandiosa fonte di ispirazione.
Bellissimo il POV che ti ha permesso di catturare la bellezza di questa opera d'arte, spezzata dalla vivacitа e dal movimento delle persone.
Complimenti.
Anna

jafadabret (56501) 2010-01-09 7:22

Bonjour Valйrie.
Je vois que ce palais de la mosaпque est aussi un paradis pour photographe. L'architecture contemporaine doit beaucoup а ce gйnie qui a retrouvй les courbes naturelles et l'йclat des couleurs. La mosaпque permet des touches colorйes et des brillances qui sont un peu le reflet du vivant.
Beau cadrage qui fait voir l'њuvre de l'architecte et l'usage qu'en font les promeneurs.
Amicalement
Jacques

carlosmarin (11954) 2010-01-09 10:39

Bonsoir Valerie,
Trиs bon cadrage vertical de la scиne.
Il ya quelques jours que je faisais une promenade photographique lа-bas.
Tu as obtenu un beau dйtail des mosaпques, avec le complйment de l'activitй touristique qui existe dans le parc.
Le fond vert du parc contraste avec les claires couleurs des mosaпques.
Amitiйs,
Carlos

josepmarin (59385) 2010-01-11 1:34

Bonjour Valйrie,
ce cadrage est trиs efficient pour jouer avec la gйomйtrie des courbes au banc de Gaudн au Park Gьell.
Le format vertical fonctionne trиs bien, et les gens ajoutent beaucoup de dynamisme а la scиne.
De plus, tu as aussi captй la beautй et les couleurs des mosaпques sur le banc, qui est le sujet principal dans ta composition.
Un travail excellent.
Amicalement,
Josep