Review 2024/245Season
Our last talk of 2024 was very well attended.
Fantasy comes from the Ghosts Gaudí and Other Catalan Architects
The Arts Society Gibraltar’s highly attended talk about Gaudí and Other Catalan Architects.
Around 70 enjoyed anohter illustrated talk at The Garrison Library
“Fantasy Comes from the Ghosts” is one of the statements made by Antonio, who explored the extraordinary period and context that inspired and motivated a movement in architecture. His talk delved into not only the genius of Antoni Gaudí but also the works of other architects from the same era; Montaner and Puig. It also highlighted the collaborative nature of Gaudí’s projects, acknowledging the teams that worked alongside him.
At the time, Barcelona was not a city that had experienced the same rapid growth as other European capitals. However, it drew inspiration from innovative urban planning, including a grid system of streets and avenues. This created an ideal backdrop for new architects, offering opportunities born of timing, ambitious projects, and the availability of new materials.
Gaudí’s journey began while he was still in architecture school when he received his first commission — not for a building, but for street lamps. This was during a time when electricity was not only making its way into homes but also transforming public spaces by lighting the streets.
Spain, too, was undergoing significant changes as it grappled with the loss of colonies such as Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Many entrepreneurs returned to their homeland, bringing wealth and the desire for new ventures. In Barcelona, this era of transformation led to Gaudí’s next commission: Casa Vicens, built for a tile manufacturer. This spectacular building, recently refurbished, remains an iconic example of his work and was even put up for sale after years of restoration.
The architects of this era drew inspiration from an eclectic mix of influences, including 800 years of Islamic rule, Romanesque traditions, and Art Nouveau, which in Barcelona was known as Modernisme. These influences helped shape the city’s wide roads, parks, squares, and architectural masterpieces that resemble sculptures in their own right.
The illustrated talk, sponsored by IBEX Insurance, culminated in a virtual tour of key architectural landmarks—must-see sites that embody the spirit of their time. Highlights included Palau Güell, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Casa Batlló, the Cripta de la Colònia Güell, and, of course, the Sagrada Família, which is reportedly set to be completed next year—a full century after its original projected completion date.
Palau Güell, a stunning creation, was built without a budget limit, nearly bankrupting its patron, Mr. Güell. This financial strain meant that Park Güell, originally intended to feature sixty houses, was reduced to just two. However, the park remains a spectacular showcase of trencadís—Gaudí’s signature use of broken tiles—as well as Doric columns and Arabic script, which highlight the enduring influence of Islamic art and architecture.
While architecture was the central theme of the talk, the vibrant imagery and wealth of fascinating details left a profound impression, celebrating the creativity and innovation that defined this remarkable era in Catalan history.
The Curious World of Breughel the Elder
Who Was Bruegel the Elder?
Wednesday, 11 December, The Arts Society Gibraltar hosted a fascinating lecture by Rupert Dickens, an accredited speaker, on the life and revolutionary art of 16th-century painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Bruegel made the curious decision to drop the ‘h’ from his surname, possibly to make it seem less Flemish—a change later reversed by his two sons. The details of his early life, including his exact birth year and place, remain shrouded in mystery, but his legacy is far clearer: Bruegel was a trailblazer in the world of art.
Bruegel’s paintings are large, vivid, and teeming with life, often focusing on scenes of peasant life that double as rich allegories. His works are laden with symbolism, offering subtle critiques of the social and political tensions of his time. Rupert Dickens’ lecture brought these nuances to light, illustrating the depth and complexity of Bruegel’s masterpieces.
The 16th century was an era of intense religious upheaval, and many of Bruegel’s works reflect this, often exploring religious themes. One of his most iconic pieces, The Tower of Babel, draws inspiration from the biblical story in the Book of Genesis. Interestingly, Bruegel only ventured into mythology once, with his painting of The Fall of Icarus.
The period also coincided with the Little Ice Age, and Bruegel is credited as one of the first artists to depict snow in his work. His attention to the natural world and human behavior set him apart and foreshadowed the realism that would flourish in the Dutch Golden Age.
Bruegel’s son, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, followed in his father’s artistic footsteps, often recreating his father’s compositions. Among these are paintings of proverbs, some of which remain familiar even today—phrases like “banging your head against a brick wall,” “swimming against the tide,” or “don’t cry over spilled milk.”
A major influence on Bruegel was the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. In fact, one of Bruegel’s works was misattributed to Bosch until his signature was discovered about a century ago. Remarkably, parts of some Bruegel originals were painted over by later owners, a fact uncovered by comparing his son’s faithful reproductions to the altered originals.
Despite his extraordinary range, Bruegel never painted portraits, a striking choice given his era. His innovative spirit and profound storytelling left an indelible mark on the Dutch Golden Age of painting. This engaging lecture, sponsored by Seruya, was accompanied by a richly illustrated presentation
Negative to Positive, photography’s long road to recognition
Our lecturer on Wednesday 20th November given by Brian Stater with the title Negative to Positive, photography’s long road to recognition, was extremely interesting. We were using the downstairs room in the Library as the Library staff had still some arrangement of furniture after the Literary Festival, unfortunately we cannot move our big screen downstairs so we have to manage with the small screen.
Ruskin declared that photography’s long road to recognition could never be Art . This struggle to overturn that view, beginning with the Pictorial school of Victorian photographers and closing with a recent emergence of photographic art inspired by digital technology.”color: #000000;”>A long the way , we examine the contested virtues of colour images and the revival of old fashioned film cameras.
Wild About Oscar
We had a Wilde Night at The Arts Society
Wednesday 16th May was our penalmente talk, the subject being Oscar Wilde given by Simon Whitehouse , in his words a recovering thespian and now a blue badge holder for tours in London featuring The Oscar Wild tour, he gave us a most entertaining talk of the life and times of Oscar Wilde.
The evening began with drinks in the Library gardens, how wonderful to enjoy the beautiful gardens now the good weather is with us.
Joining us for his final evening as our patron was His Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar, Sir David Steel. We said a sad farewell to our most supportive patron, His Excellency Sir David Steel, quietly attends our lectures whenever he can, not wanting any recognition or special treatment, just another member! we wish him all the best for his retirement and hope he finds an Art Society near him in Hampshire.
Everyone experienced a most interesting and informative evening.
It was noted by our speaker Simon said we were the most warm and welcoming society he had visited , we are a very nice bunch !
