.: 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.