The Dr Seuss House

So we checked out of our hotel, asked them to store our bags, then got an uber to Sangria Familia. 

Sarah got a little pissy because I didn’t know instinctively which entrance we should go to. 🙄

Before long we were going through the scanners ( ah memories of home), and standing in front of the building. 

This must be the most famous unfinished church in the world. 

While the outside appears like an artists sketchpad, with every inch covered in little doodles and unfinished ideas, there is a holistic integrity to the fussiness and curves. Not a straight line in sight. This may be sacrilegious, but there’s almost a sense of Jim Henson about it. As if Jim came over here and walked around the place, smoking some illicit substances, before he came up with some of his Dark Crystal ideas. 

Inside is a little different. 

The central columns are referred to as a forest. 

They branch out to support the ceiling like the canopy in a forest, adding to the sense of height. Gaudi took a lot of inspiration from nature and light.

Just as nature has molecular complexity that defies Darwinism, it also has a graceful simplicity. 

The inside of this basilica, despite the stained glass and insanely complex ceiling, has a sense of openness, an uncluttered elegance. 

Never having done it myself, I could only imagine that standing between the pillars in this church could give you a sense of what standing in a kauri or totara forest might feel like. Those massive trunks, reaching for the heavens, and reminding us once again of our undeniable insignificance. Jeez, that’s a bit deep and meaningful. Stupid boy!

Anyway…

I would love to see what kind of performance that Curque du Soleil would design for this unique space. 

There is a museum downstairs, with examples and replicas of a range of thematic elements, that go into this place. After Gaudi died, a procession of designers and architects have been involved. Mostly because he died in 1926, and many of his designs, concepts and doodles were lost in a fire in 1936.

Unlike religious conquests in history, following architects were not interested in remaking his vision in their own image. They have been trying to channel what he would have done at every step. 

There is also the obligatory gift shop, to prove that you were there. Actually there are two. One aff the museum, and one as you leave the premises. I wonder how long it will be before every public building adopts the “Exit through the Gift Shop” philosophy. Churches, funeral services, doctors offices, abortion clinics. Sorry, couldn’t resist that one. 

When you wander around the alter, there are windows to see into the chapel below. The entrance took a bit of finding, but Sarah wanted to go. Because it’s an active chapel, I had to sit through mass in a combination of Spanish and Latin for almost an hour. I have no idea what the proportions of each language was. It’s all Greek to me. 

Oddly, whenever I want to look at an electronics or technology store, Sarah is tapping her foot within 7 minutes. Just sayin’.