Current location:world >>
VOX POPULI: The special charm of Gaudi’s unfinished work: Sagrada Familia
world4637People 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.“World Wave news portal”。http://gambia.cumberland-sausage.net/content-04b199992.html
Related articles
PrettyLittleThing billionaire Umar Kamani and new wife Nada host Disney
worldHow to ensure your truly extravagant four-day wedding comes to a fairytale end...with a dusting of D ...
【world】
Read moreCPC leadership reviews guidelines on policies supporting construction of Xiong'an
world(Xinhua) 09:03, July 01, 2023BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Part ...
【world】
Read morePanarin scores tying goal, shootout winner as the Rangers edge Islanders 3
worldNEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored late in the third period to tie game and tallied the shootout ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
- Group seeking to recall Florida city's mayor says it has enough signatures to advance
- Ceremony held to mark anniversary of China's resistance war against Japanese aggression
- Twins use a seven
- UN food agency fears an escalation on the Lebanese
- Ecuador embroiled in diplomatic backlash after police break into Mexican embassy
Latest articles
Former corrections officer sentenced to 4 years for using excessive force
Xi presents order to promote military officers to rank of general
CPC leadership arranges work on flood prevention and relief, post
Miro Heiskanan, Jason Robertson lead Stars past Kraken 3
Clarifications and corrections
Preserving world
LINKS
- Across China: Special Education Brightens Life of Children with Disabilities
- Record 11.93 Mln Students to Take China's College Entrance Exam
- Children Attend Event as 'Little Architects' Ahead of Int'l Children's Day in Xi'an
- China Sees Wider High School Education Coverage
- Veterans Encouraged to Work as Teachers in China
- China Beefs up Free Blood Test to Help Abducted Children, Women Reunite with Families
- China Vows to Improve Eye Care Services for Children, Seniors
- China to Cultivate More Skilled Personnel in Manufacturing Sector
- Maritime Day of China Marked in NE China's Liaoning
- China Focus: CPC Membership Exceeds 96.7 Million