Current location:politics >>
VOX POPULI: The special charm of Gaudi’s unfinished work: Sagrada Familia
politics99People have gathered around
IntroductionWhat is the allure of unfinished works of art?Gifted architect Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) started buil ...
What is the allure of unfinished works of art?
Gifted architect Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) started building the church of the Sagrada Familia in 1883.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, this unique structure is still under construction in Barcelona, the work spanning three centuries.
Asked when the church was scheduled for completion, Gaudi was said to have replied, “God is in no hurry.” And should he fail to finish it before his death, he noted, that’s nothing to be sorry about.
In fact, he added that if others who came after him kept building the church, the edifice would become “even more spectacular.”
Recently, roughly 140 years after the work began, it was announced that the church’s main Tower of Jesus Christ is scheduled for completion in 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudi’s death.
Even though work will continue on other parts of the church, such as the steps leading to the main entrance, that row of iconic soaring spires should be a truly stunning sight.
Two years from now means pretty soon. I was a bit surprised because I’d always just assumed the completion would be achieved in a distant future.
This may sound a bit odd, but it feels as if my favorite TV drama series is ending abruptly, and I felt a stab of disappointment.
In the world of art, there are unfinished masterpieces galore.
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) somehow did not finish his Symphony No. 8, which came to be known as the “Unfinished Symphony" and is celebrated as a timeless masterpiece.
And author Franz Kafka (1883-1924) wrote a number of unfinished novels, including “The Castle” and “The Trial.”
Like living things that keep growing quietly, unfinished works captivate us softly.
Author and poet Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933) said, “An eternally unfinished work is a finished work in itself.”
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 1
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Waves news portal”。http://guatemala.readlovelybooks.com/content-82e199916.html
Related articles
DR MAX PEMBERTON: We need more female doctors in the NHS... but there is a downside
politicsDoes the sex of your doctor matter? In general, I'd say it shouldn't really make a difference, altho ...
【politics】
Read moreDelicacies from home and abroad gather at CICPE
politicsHAIKOU, July 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A variety of food products from home and abroad gather at the seco ...
【politics】
Read moreVillage in China's Henan transformed by cultural industries
politicsAerial photo taken on July 30, 2022 shows a view in Dananpo Village of Xiuwu County in Jiaozuo City, ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Agricultural Bank of China sees loan increase of 1.2 trln yuan in Q1
- Carriers sanguine on travel season
- Interview: Xi
- When Chinese martial arts, Western contemporary dance converge
- Nigerian journalist's arrest last week triggers criticism of worsening press freedoms
- Comicomment: How the American Dream turned into a nightmare?
Latest articles
LINKS
- Tibet kicks off culture, tourism expo
- Jones carries Xinjiang past Beijing in CBA
- Zhang makes history to reach 2nd round at Monte Carlo
- Chinese sci
- Mountain and river carnival kicks off in western Beijing
- Eberl looking to steer Bayern back to calmer waters
- Eberl ringing alarm bells for Bayern ahead of Arsenal duel
- China's Shenzhen opens new air route to Amsterdam
- Liaoning lead title contenders into CBA playoffs
- Coachella food prices SHOCK fans as festival