Spain

This series of photographs was inspired by the beautiful, artistically ornate architecture I saw in Spain. The architecture there is the most varied within Europe due to it’s multi cultural history. What I saw is captured in my photographs. My journey took me from the Andalusian cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada to the Catalonian cities in the north- Barcelona and Girona .

  Seville’s Alcazar is one of the greatest surviving examples of Moorish , Gothic and Renaissance architecture. I am particularly drawn to the graphic black and white linear designs and zig zags alongside the Arabic inscriptions.                   In Cordova I will never forget the feeling of awe that I experienced walking into Mezquita with its immense and innumerable horseshoe arches within the huge expanse of a Mosque reconfigured as a church.

  In Granada, the Alhambra which means “The Red One” was originally a small fortress on the remains of a Roman Fort. After years of neglect it was rebuilt and renovated and eventually became the site of the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella, where Christopher Columbus received his endorsement for his expedition. It also was sadly the place where the final edict for the expulsion of 1492 took place. I felt a deep sadness there as I wandered through the empty rooms . 

 In contrast to the darkness I felt there I was uplifted by the kaleidoscopic world of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona. His work was influenced by his passions  which were architecture, nature and religion. I felt inspired photographing the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and La Pedrera , also known as Casa Mila. I was impressed by Gaudi’s use of color and organic shapes and the variety of materials he used. The freeform shapes on the rooftop at La Pedrera and the blue walls in his home and the organic shapes and ceramic mosaics of the Park Guell will continue to amuse and inspire me with their playfulness and immense creativity.

  Finally, in the northern region of Catalonia I photographed Girona which has a Jewish Quarter or Call which is one of the best preserved in Europe. It had flourished in the 12th century and had one of the most important Kabbalistic schools in Europe. The Arab Baths and walls of stone were also remnants of its earlier history.

  I hope my images will impart some of what I saw and felt in this culturally diverse country. I look forward to going back to Espana and to revisit these architectural wonders and to explore more of the Iberian Peninsula.