This one’s been in the works for a little while now (it’s tough finding consecutive blocks of time in which to edit), but I wanted to get it out in time for Halloween (my favorite holiday!).
Beating back the wings of darkness
Tag
church
Just plain ethereal
This is what happens when I start working on something before I have a clear idea in my head (which I generally don’t like doing). I’ve never been one to “freestyle,” so to speak. Sure, it’s liberating to grab a piece of marble and just start hacking away at it (this metaphor is not meant to belittle the work of master or even amateur sculptors so much as to convey my absolute lack of knowledge related to the craft), but it’s a practice I’ve never felt completely comfortable with.
This one started off as a simple levitation experiment before taking a rather oddly spiritual turn.
Radiance
The scene was idyllic–the setting sun, the greens of the trees and grass, the warm glow of the lights illuminating the soft white of the chapel. Everything came together naturally. All that was left for me to do was shoot away (and keep people out of my shot).Read More
La Catedral Barcelona
Second only in its fame to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia is the most impressive Gothic church in Barcelona (and an attraction no Spain trip should go without!). Though small compared to Gaudi’s masterpiece, la Catedral is not without its own magnificence. The vaulted ceilings, the gargoyles adorning the outside, the choir stalls, chapels, and cloister. The whole scene is lent an ethereal quality by the light flowing down from the stained glass windows.Read More
Spiraling Descent
After braving the towers of La Sagrada Familia, it was on to the spiral staircase that was the only way down. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic. The staircase looked like the inside of a seashell, one person wide and spiraling down around an opening about a foot wide. Looking straight down, it’s impossible to tell how many floors up you are. It didn’t help that I didn’t pass a single person on the way down (which was enough to make me wonder if I was actually going the right direction). Crazy stuff. My knees were pretty shaky after climbing all the way back down.Read More
Reaching Towards the Divine
As awe-inspring as the exterior of La Sagrada Basilica may be, the inside blows that all out of the water. Or maybe into the water would be a better choice of words?
My uncle commented that the interior looked like the inside of a giant sea creature, and I don’t disagree. The whole thing looks like a Giger/Seuss-inspired amalgam and it’s absolutely amazing. The columns reach towards the ceiling like organic tendrils. Said ceiling is festooned with flowering star-shaped objects.Read More
La Sagrada Familia
Though it’s been a work in progress for over a hundred years, La Sagrada Familia has long been one of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona, and was definitely the high point (no pun intended) of the Spain trip. The basilica is a phenomenal experience to behold, and for a few extra euros you can ride an incredibly claustrophobic lift up to the top of the church.
All in all, though, it was all completely worth it to get the views of the city. The inside is spectacular enough and well worth the wait.Read More