Calatrava's Tower for Telefonica

Santiago Calatrava's radio tower that is on the site of the 1992 Olympic games was more of a sculpture than a Tower.It was a dynamic form that begged to be viewed in the round. The tower was designed for the company Telefonica. It stands on the side of Montjuïc, and is in just behind the Barcelona Pavilion. It has been called "The Olympic Needle", but Calatrava was inspired by an olympian holding the torch high. The tower was constructed with the mosaic technique that Gaudi made famous 'trencadis' in order to tie the project to Barcelona's strong architectural traditions. It also serves as a massive sundial in Europa Square. All of the pictures I took of the tower were at night, and I'm afraid they don't do the tower justice, but rather highlight the great sunset and lights around the project.

German/Barcelona Pavilion

I'm not one to ignore Modernism, and I can't leave my experience at the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition out of my Barcelona posts. I first learned about the Pavilion in my time at Syracuse University. It was clear to me that the project was put on a pedestal by my fellow students and professors, but I was having trouble seeing it's importance and relevance to where design has come over the years. I guess I failed to piece it into the big picture.When I got to see the reconstructed pavilion I began to understand it- slightly. I haven't joined the cult yet. This might provoke some discussion, but I truly believe that this isn't the highlight of Mies Van der Rohe, and if this project says anything about his work I think it speaks to his meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.(I mean check out this travertine.)Perhaps the fact that it was to demonstrate Germany's modernism, and overwhelmingly advanced design fields is somewhat hard to grasp knowing that in a few short years he'd be in America continuing to make advances in his personal design philosophies. The pavilion I feel was just the beginning of something so great, and a career that makes him one of my favorite twentieth century architects. The story only gains fuel in Barcelona, but is by no means the paramount.

Most awkward picture ever taken...ever..^

Not on my photogenic "A" game.^

Better? -Maybe.^

Since I started my Barcelona posts with Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia....I'll just continue with Gaudi's Casa Milà. It's a clear example of Gaudi's style and undeniable uniqueness. Each room in this apartment complex has a unique plan and walls, and was a great treat. We got to tour a typical room which was decked out in Art Nouveau furnishings, and the rooms also had original moldings and original accessories/furniture as well. This place was a complete wonderland.

Roof^

The center of the building was an open atrium space^

On the architectural model notice the roof^

La Sagrada Familia-A work in Progress.

I'm finally getting time to upload some photos from Barcelona. Though I have some negative memories of Barcelona it's still in my top five favorite cities list. La Sagrada Familia is world famous for a number of reasons: architect(Gaudi), place(Barcelona), movement/time period, the fact that it is still in construction after almost 100 years, and designed at a time when the technology didn't even exist to complete it. All of these make it famous, and create a fascinating story, but what made the building for me was it's interior. It isn't even complete, but it creates a space that is extraordinary. Here are a few of my photos from the church. It isn't anywhere near complete, and I believe it will be named the Cathedral upon its completion.It's to be consecrated by pope Benedict XVI on November 7, 2010.
All the windows will eventually be stained like above^
Nave^
Nave^
transept 1^
transept 2(notice tree with doves in the center)^I got to go up the transept towers to get a closer look at the tree with doves from the observation deck. ^From the observation deck toward the central tower-under construction. When Gaudi planned the tower it was structurally impossible.It's expected to be complete around 2026^

I have been filling the role of couch potato well. I've taken the opportunity to start a few research papers for different conferences and symposiums in the next year. I also began my online classes. I'll keep you updated on how that goes. As for my staples they get taken out on Thursday. I'm debating whether or not to bother going back to Savannah this quarter. I want to out of principle and to see my friends, but also feel like it would just be easier to stay home. As for summer classes it looks like I'll be attending WVU-that school that I originally refused to go to. It's funny how things play out, and three years later I'm relying on the University to keep me on track for graduation. Never say never. I miss Savannah so much. I never realized how good I had it there, and it's taken me about a week back home to realize the value of independence.

My surgery went as planned. If I owned a medical dictionary or had my sister and personnel medical team handy I would try to give you textbook definitions, but since I have neither We'll have to settle with this; they cut me down the middle, cut out some of the bad parts,welded the pipes back together and made it all look and feel better. I know this isn't the best explanation maybe it's the heart monitor on my finger making it hard for me to type, or perhaps I should blame it on the Morphine that's been flowing like honey, or just the simple fact that it is my spring break.. Next week school starts again, and I've signed myself up for an extremely challenging schedule of classes in order to get myself back into the swing of things-all of which are online-so i'll be able to return to Savannah slightly later than my classmates.

For now I'm still in the hospital, enjoying my new multicolored collection of treaded socks, and where the hardest decision is which flavor juice to have for your liquid diet(apple,cranberry,or grape)

I also haven't shaved for awhile, and I look like a mixture of John smith from Pocahontas and Vincent Van Gogh's Self portrait.

Finally, I've never realized how many people I have in my life that care about me. This experience as less than ideal as it once felt, has shown me how many people truly care, and it's made me realized how blessed I am.

As for now-time heals all.

Paris-bitter sweet.

I'm back in America. I'm in the hospital about an hour from my house in Morgantown, WV. The flight went well. Our plane had maybe fifty people on it, which allowed everyone to have a full three seat row to themselves, enabling me to sleep stretched out. While this starts my fifth week hospitalized, in a third country, speaking a third language, I know for sure that the greatest boost -health wise-I've had in the last month was just seeing some of my family yesterday upon my return. I've already started to write a great deal about my experiences, including the struggles and successes. I might pass some of that along eventually.

Now the biggest thing on my plate is just making it to a somewhat recovery to get back to school. The surgery that has been postponed in the last two countries is projected to take place in the beginning of next week. It's a battle of time. If I can recover in time for the quarter I'll be back in action, but if not perhaps online classes or even(the worst case scenario) a late graduation. Finally, It was a bitter sweet moment as I flew into Paris.

The clear sky allowed me to follow the snaking water it was what I what thought was the Seine, and finally I saw the Île de la Cité with Notre Dame, following the river we flew over the Louvre, and following the waters flow I saw Les Invalides, and finally the massive steel arches of the Eiffel Tower. It was amazing, and though I was at 30,000 feet. I had a moment. Now it's stuck with me. The one place that made me want to study abroad the most was the one place that I didn't get to go. Seeing it from my plane window was great, but it also just makes me want to get there a million times more.

Tomorrow I'll be coming home. I know you've all read this before, but it's not exactly
over yet though. I agreed that upon my return to the United States I would go directly to
an American hospital for a resolution(likely surgery) to all of this madness. I want to get it all taken care of and over with in order to get back to class, and life as normal. Thanks for all the kind thoughts I have received, and I can't wait to be home.Perhaps Dorothy knew what she was talking about-there is no place like home.