The Sagrada Familia is a world-famous catholic church in Barcelona that begun construction in 1882. After 131 years, it is still unfinished. Antoni Gaudi, the original architect on the project died 87 years ago. In his lifetime, he took his time perfecting his plan, stating "my client is not in a hurry." That now seems like an understatement. The Met's website has reported that it is expected to be completed in 2026, as well as linking an accompanying video showing a projection of what it is expected to look like upon completion.
The first time I ever registered the story of the Sagrada Familia was in April. I watch a lot of slam poetry, and one of the poems referenced the church. The poem is titled 'Legos (Unfinished Masterpieces)'.
I've said before how I make mix cds for people as birthday presents or presents in general. Sometimes, I put slam poems as the last track. For Matt's birthday in June, I gave him a mix cd with the poem on it. I never got his feedback on it, but I feel it was a fitting choice.
The poem is performed by two people, Bobby Crawford and Kieran Collier. It goes without needing to be said that the performance is intense. That's kind of the point. But at times, these boys are screaming, using voices that are no longer theirs. They have found a comfortable place and made it a minefield. The poem is a constant roller-coaster, going from poetic to contemplative to madman to soft-spoken.
The poem itself is slightly comedic, telling the story almost from a child's perspective of how serious building legos are. This is a running theme, obviously. It goes on to mention Mozart's unfinished symphonies, the Sagrada Familia and how Antoni never lived to see it finished. Our one dollar bill has an unfinished portrait of George Washington on the front and on the back, a pyramid that died in construction. "We carry incomplete manuscripts in our wallets." Near the end, they acknowledge their pride at being able to create a single poem, when all of these things have gone undone.
It ends on a note of consideration. Throughout the poem, going back to the point of it being a child's perspective, there are consistent situations where family members get in the way. Members of the families keep stepping on their childhood masterpieces, but "please don't step on my dreams." This theme grows larger as the poem goes until the end.
"Every cathedral is an unrealized metaphor. Every construction is an unfinished masterpiece. Every creation is an unbelievable accomplishment. Please, be careful where you step."
2 comments:
I agree with you that Gaudi was a genius and the Sagrada Familia is remarkable, but did you know that he abandoned all other work to focus on the Church and died after being hit by a street car, because no one would bring him to the hospital because they thought he was a homeless person.
I didn't know that, but from your description it led me to believe that he was an INFP on the Myers-Briggs scale (like me), and a quick google brought me to the conclusion that he was! I'm definitely interested in his life now, though.
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