Ildefons Cerda: 1888 World Trade Fair (Section 2)

Ildefons Cerda: 1888 World Trade Fair onwards….

Ildefons Cerda

Catalan Modernisme

Ildefons Cerda was originally known as a Catalan Engineer and, a former deputy in the Spanish Parliament. He was talented in a few traits, including Poetry. He was a visionary, which allowed him to see the conclusive Eixample before any draft was laid out. He introduced his plan for the extension of Barcelona, and after much political controversy, the plan went ahead.

(I shall extend the life of Ildefons Cerda in a separate folder.)

The late 19^th Century Barcelona was quite hectic in the proceedings of construction. Not only was the plans of Cerda, being taken into account, the City was also welcoming the architectural structures that were to be placed in the upcoming World Exposition Fair.

The World Exposition Fair initiated in London, in 1855. This became exposed amongst mutually inspired Cities; and together it became a competition that allowed Cities to display their confidence in technological, cultural, architectural and economic growth and continuous industrial potential that, in return, will benefit inhabitants and Tourism.

The chosen location of Citadel Park can be seen as quite intentional.  In order to complete, or at least make a start, they had to demolish the walls that did belong to the military base of supervision. The location represents a symbol of power, instigating their power. Before blueprints were put in place for the 1888 World Exposition, the city-was now in the hands of the Cerda Plan. Ildefons Cerda ordered the city to announce and construct; Housing, Industry, Markets, Social Centres, and much more that would allow the city a make-over. The most popular landmark, in the run up to the World Trade Fair 1888, is named Arc de Tricmf.

Arc de Tricmf 

Arc de Tricmf comes across as bold; confident and head-strong. Standing between 30-40 metres high, the pillars tastefully maintain the arc that is constructed at the end of a pedestrian boulevard. The arc has a purpose, to welcome inhabitants and tourism to the entrance of Citadel Park. With vibrant coloured bricks, it holds its own unique personality.  The arc displays many symbolic statues; at the top, placed in the centre, represents Barcelona-coat of arms, accompanied Lions are both sides. The Lions represent the strength of the City; ironically, the Citadel Park is built on top of the old Military base. Along the top of the arc, twelve allegorical statues of women play a role, reconstructing fame. The overall look, particularly the colours, one might think of Moorish Art. At the side of the arc is a famous statue. The statue is of Christopher Columbus; apparently built in the exact same spot where Columbus landed. The statue of Christopher Columbus is an inspiring sculpture, holding a piece of parchment in his left hand, whilst pointing to the New World with his right.

As you walk through the arc and into the Citadel Park, there is a lot more to cherish and be inspired by. Situated in the Northern corner of the park, opposite the Lake is a Waterfall (Cascada-in Spanish). The Waterfall was first installed in 1881, but that was all it was, a plain waterfall, no sculptures or symbolic details. It was criticized by the press, claiming it was too boring. However, it was then agreed to have a make-over, where it could be recognised at the Universal Exhibition. It took six years to fully redesign and construct it. The architect Josep Fontsere was the main man for the construction, and Gaudi had small parts to construct-at this time he was still new to the scene. Fontsere wanted the Waterfall, to resemble that of the Trevi Fountain; Rome.

(I will go into more detail, covering the facts of the waterfall in a separate write.)

The Lake, which I mentioned previously, is opposite the Waterfall. The Lake attracts many tourists; it is quite popular with the romantics and often turns into a rather convivial place. Small Turtles can be seen on rocks and fish dashing through water. There is also a large vegetation section, which too is quite popular.

Paris, at the time, was notorious for their Urban Planning-receiving world-wide-applause; known at the time as “A Central European City.” Paris had many monuments (The Eiffel Tower 1889) worth seeing. Barcelona analysed Paris’s moves, becoming inspired by the dedication and constant upbringings of new foundations, which supplied them with further monuments and providing Paris with more economy value.

Ildefons Cerda had no forward intentions of extracting, or demolishing previously built apartments/factories/shops but instead, work around them, an overall look; “A grid layout of squares that encloses Barcelona’s old City.”

To compete for the overall award, Barcelona-just like all participants had to design something spectacular, something different. Barcelona, at the time, was not a popular city; it did not bring in many tourists. It needed this chance, to win, to gain the spectators vote of commitment. Construction came at a price, resulting Barcelona to fall into debt, rapidly.

The three selected monuments (Arc de Tricmf, Park Citadel and the Christopher Columbus statue) won the 1888 World Exhibition Fair, with great pride.

After the 1888 World Exhibition Fair, Ildefons Cerda’s Eixample was constructed.

As the Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona was naturally the centre of the Modernisme movement, and it was from this moment that Catalan intellectuals, politicians, writers, poets, architects and artists came to reunite, to gain power that was strong enough to lift the then conservative and rural Catalan culture to match the progressive natures of Europe’s leading countries. Antoni Gaudi, believe it or not, was not the first pre-eminent architect, that title goes to Lluis Domenech I Montaner. (I shall be writing more about him in upcoming blogs). A brief bit of history regarding Lluis-Born in 1850, he grew to be a famous politician and also director of the Barcelona School of Architecture. He engaged in many things throughout his life including politics and journalism. However, he is most notorious for his skills in the field of architecture-resulting in the (now) UNESCO Palau de la Musica and many others-references to be wrote. When Montaner was greeted with the other pre-eminent architects(-Gaudi, Josep Puig I Cadalfach-another one to be written up at a later date-a brief history of him-Born in 1867-the baby of the group-Cadalfach grew up following the designs of Gaudi and Montaner, using it to his advantage in creating his own masterpieces. He designed many buildings-his most popular being the legendary Els Quatre Gats Café (where intellectuals and Bohemians of the day met for drinks and discussions.)  It was quite a formal discussion, to create a unique style that would reflect their Catalan soul and independence. Their finalised “look” is still very much popular with the residents and tourist of Barcelona. Modernisme is described, or at least to me, is the annunciation of freedom. The meaning of Modernisme equals a unique style that holds no boundaries. Infact, it is quite the opposite to other characteristic projected names that include the likes of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the definition of “Modern” in Today’s terms; contemporary, fitting, influenced with the ever changing designs a Modern approach is like a camouflage-natural. Modernisme is bold, fear-less, it has no boundaries, no limited personalisation. Modernisme is light-it is not weighed down with maximal height or length or choice of colour or m aterials. Modernisme is a friend of Barcelona; it brings in those who crave potential influence, just by the feel of something distinctive that still holds its unique title almost a century later. Not only does Modernisme represent all of the above, it does however, have a particular design that can be identified. The identification of Modernisme is appealing to the eye, opting for a curvaceous theme over the normal straight line. Modernisme architects accumulate a wide variety of organic materials and bond them together in extraordinary botanical shapes that personalises each development. Gaudi showed off his Modernisme talent, all-encompassing bright colours and a strong use of symbolism. Catalan Modernisme overall, is a unique style of architecture that was created by the most influential Catalan architects of that time, and still, to this day, is “Modern” and gifted. However, there are some people who are against the look of Barcelona, with the strong use of “pretentious” and over-crowded without much diversity. Those who like to visit a city, like different dynamics, like a storyboard. Barcelona, I believe, upholds its diversity very well, and yes, to me, it is like a storyboard-just unfinished because it has continuous capabilities of achieving more and more, after all-for centuries Catalonia was like a lock down prison, anything bright was rejected. Once Barcelona was in the hands of Ildefons Cerda, wealthy aristocrats commissioned expensive mansions in the new style-specifying the Central Boulevard; Passieg de Gracia. Modernisme was not assigned to just architecture, the spectrum also belonged to painters, sculptures, craftsmanship, poets, writer’s, singers and many more illustrations. Many of those who were willing to broadcast their ideas, agreed on their mutual influential guidance of Nietzsche. Whatever the opinions Barcelona bring in, it certainly is not boring. The eyes are always entertained, and their mind is always captivated by the constant overflow of difference.