Posted on 01/22/2012 9:46:24 AM PST by marshmallow
January 21, 2012. (Romereports.com) Etsuro Sotoo was a professor of art at Kyoto University when he decided to travel in Europe. He arrived in Barcelona in 1978, he was so impressed with Gaudí's Sagrada Familia that he dropped everything to follow in the work of Gaudí as a sculptor. Ever since then he continued to learn more and more about the architect.
Etsuro Sotoo, Sculptor
“I know all the works, all the words, all the models, but I can't take another step. I can't come close to Gaudí. I decided not to look to him. So then where do I look? I tried to look in the way that Gaudí did. I'm a sculptor, I tried to do what he would have done. This was the magnificent and miraculous moment.”
Etsuro came from a cultural and religious traditions very different from that of Europe. As a result he had trouble connecting with the project in a manner faithful to the spirit of Gaudí. When he finally understood his real intention with the Sagrada Familia, it changed his life.
Etsuro Sotoo, Sculptor
“I invite everyone who wants to understand Gaudí to not pick the wrong door. If you really want to know him, find the the door of spirit and faith.”
Etsuro Sotoo says that his commitment to architecture was the first step by which Gaudí helped him to rethink his values. After some time he converted to Catholicism.
Etsuro Sotoo, Sculptor
“Why do we build the temple of the Sagrada Familia? A simple question: why do we build? We don't seek beauty in vanity of men. No, The Sagrada Familia is a tool for building us. [FLASH] Gaudí left the temple half finished, the temple of the Sagrada Familia perfectly built the man Gaudí.”
Etsuro Sotoo is currently working on the main sculptures of the Sagrada Familia. A work that changed the course of his life.
Video of Sotoo discussing Gaudi and architecture
Barcelona is probably my favorite place I ever visited. Only spent a few days there, but did get to see some of Gaudi’s work which was a highlight.
Not so rare. Whittaker Chambers was converted by the architecture of his son’s ear.
I'll take the pun.
+
Awesome comment.
ping
I can dig; I experienced conversion by illuminated manuscript. ;)
Conversion by reason aka the understanding of Intelligent Design—no need for stuffy anachronistic dogma especially the gray bearded cobwebbed hoary assumptions of an archaic and intolerant “one true church.”
A Jew converted through art: http://www.ipt.avemaria.edu/lfeingold
His great book (with a picture of the sculpture of his wife on the cover if I am not mistaken): http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Desire-According-Thomas-Interpreters/dp/1932589546
Another great book (3 vols.): http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Israel-Church-Vol-Fulfillment/dp/0939409038/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327262188&sr=1-4
Last I checked Sagrada Familia was Catholic. ;)
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