A Total Work of Art

During the first month, I have an opportunity to see some of buildings that are popular in Spain. Not only popular, these buildings are also have important role in the architectural history. So far, I have visited Granada, Barcelona, and Cordoba. From the trip and looking at the building, I mentioned that the expression of architecture is emphasized through the ornaments. These ornaments are very complicated and they look very impossible to be created. The ornaments are not only shown up from the sculpture and decorations, but they also appear in the structures, ceiling, and other parts of the building. Although each building has different concept and were done by different architects, all of them represent the total work of art. 

These are the three major buildings that contain the total work of art:

1. Alhambra Palace Entrance and the importance role of water

The ceiling 

Although we did not make our trip to the Palace, the entrance of this palace has already done very beautifully. Because this is only the entrance, I cannot imagine how amazing the palace is. The importance role of water in Alhambra also can be seen in the entrance. It has a big water pool in the center of the building. The most beautiful ceiling done in a room that has a fountain and the water from the fountain will flow to the pool. I think this is how they bring the importance role of water by connecting it to the room and making this room as the most successful part in the building. The total work of art are also shown through the door, the light that come in from the fenestration of the windows, and the garden. 

      The structure                Bringing light in               Ornament on the door

2. The Sagrada Familia and the representation of nature

Passion Facade

Before I went to Spain, I always want to visit this church, and finally I had opportunity to go there. For me, Sagrada Familia is the most beautiful church that I have visited. From the entrance, the facade is done by sculpturing the story of Jesus when He was crucified until his resurrection. The church is very big and done with full decoration in every facade. 

Ceiling as nature

And when I came in to the inside, the structures and ceiling express the nature. It looks like the combination of the Art Noveau and Gothic style. The stained glass also done very amazingly although only half of them that has been done. The glass looks like mozaic of different color of glass and each color represent the Christianity symbol for example blue represents water. 

Nativity Facade

But this is still not the most amazing part in the building. As I walk to the back facade, the facade look very impossible to be done. All the sculptures are very detailed and cover the whole facade of the church. I think it is because the back facade talks the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and it is called the Nativity Facade. I feel that I was given several shocks when I visit this building because I was amazed by how complicated this building is. 

3. The Mezquita in Cordoba and the connection to the religion

Double arches structure

The Mezquita in Cordoba is the most successful building representing religion between the Moslem and Christian. Not like the Sagrada Familia, this building keep the exterior very simple, and the ornament start to be shown when I enter the interior. Starting with sets of double arched columns that support the whole building. Those columns made by combining the red and white bricks.

Structure and ceiling in the rooms

 On the perimeter of the building, it has several rooms for prayer. Every room done with different style and decorations. Because the religion takes the important role in this building, there are many sculptures of Jesus, and symbol of Christianity for example cross. The picture on the right, for me it more symbolizes of Moslem because the elements that are used in making the ceiling more represent the Moslem . 

The ceiling in the center

And the most interesting part is in the center of the Mezquita. It has a lot of sculpture which going to the ceiling. The ceiling is done with white and gold color, and make this ceiling look the most grandeur part in the building.  

-Cindy Hartono-