By: Gavin Anderson
Barcelona is a city known for its architectural marvels and cultural legacy, all intertwined in art. The Barcelona Modernism Museum immerses visitors in the gilded world of modernism, featuring stunning paintings, sculptures, and furniture pieces all crafted during the modernism movement. Modernism introduced many features that rejected the romantic era, with less pieces that were meant to harness extreme emotion. Goya was known for his paintings during romanticism, featuring pieces that deeply moved or disturbed the viewer, whether for spiritual or emotional reasons. Here with modernism, we see experimentation and symbolism. The museum’s amazing collection and the detailed art they displayed fascinated me during my most recent visit, and I am glad I had the opportunity to record inside and use the footage for this final project.
We learned on the visit that modernism in this area of Spain is referred to as Catalan Art Nouveau, which was prevalent in the late 19th century. The intention of this artistic movement was to reject conventional ideas and embrace the shapes of nature and intricate designs. Art became lighting fixtures, wardrobes, cabinets, mirrors, and more. Paintings by Ramon Casas, and Santiago Ruinol are on display in the museum. The private owners also have sculptures by Josep Llimona and Eusebi Arnau. Perhaps the most prevalent is the works of Antoni Gaudi, who we learned a lot about on this trip. Gaudi believed that straight lines did not exist in nature, and wanted to incorporate curves and natural structures into his work, avoiding straight lines. The museum didn’t just showcase the works, it also provided insights into the cultural and social context of modernism in Barcelona, and our guide walked us through the museum as well as Catalan history. We learned about how modernism influenced the city’s urban planning, local industries, and architecture. Much of the physical cultural identity of Barcelona is in the modernism style. However, Catalan modernism is its own sub-genre, since Gaudi’s work stands apart from other modernism styles.
Being able to see smaller works up close was a very interesting experience, and you can see the sheer craftsmanship and attention to minute detail in every piece. We previously saw Gaudi’s architectural feat, La Sagrada Familia, and the beautiful Parc Guell, and you can see his distinct style continue over into his furniture and other works. The exhibits inside carry the natural influence features, with seating that is almost entirely curved, and cabinets that look as if they are growing. The feminine shape is also prevalent in the museum, and during our time at other museums, we learned that it was connected to natural curves and shapes of nature. Here, you do not see impossible forms or figures. Walking through the museum was amazing, seeing the intricate pieces on the ground floor with a stark white contrast of the walls and floors, and then to the darker basement level, where many brighter works and white statues were. I was able to film the beautiful works while learning about the cultural impact of Catalan Modernism, and it is an experience I will never forget.