Marc Weinstein at Hammond Museum

The photographer channels his inner Gaudi.

Story and photographs by Marc Weinstein.

(Editor’s note: Marc Weinstein’s Antoni Gaudí-inspired photographs are part of “A Pursuit of Perspective,” on view at the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem through Nov. 11. Here Marc discusses the journey of his abstract blue works.)

The genesis of “GaudÍ Blue:”  I was always drawn to the organic forms of Antoni Gaudí, so when I visited Barcelona, I immediately searched out his work. 

First, we went to the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, with its organic exterior and cold, fearful interior. Then Casa Batlló, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and Casa Milà, with its mask-faced chimneys.

After appreciating the rest of Barcelona, we went on our last day in the city to Park Güell, with its imposing iron gates and Gaudí’s home. As we were about to leave the park, I was attracted to one of the two structures that frame the entry gate, the gatekeeper’s home. I entered and climbed the back stairs, absorbed by its walls of blue Venetian plaster illuminated by a window on each of three landings. 

My “Gaudí Blue” photographs are from my observations there — moments of color, form and Gaudi’s structure.  

Vacation over, I returned to my home studio in Chappaqua, excited to edit and print the images. But later, as I began to organize them, I realized that even by observing the angle of light in the photographs, it was difficult to remember the actual perspective of each one. So I experimented with printing them as a group on a single sheet. The resulting grid suggested to me the possibilities that became “Gaudí Blue.”

I razored apart the images, trying various combinations until I achieved “Grid #1.” From that moment, the grids started to take on a life of their own. The appeal of the single images is the ambiguity of space and light and color in a two- dimensional frame. As grids, the imagery can be kaleidoscopic. 

I’ve also created a “Game” grid, which allows the observer to create one of his own. This was a successful event at Mary Colby’s Studio & Gallery on City Island, where the participating audience even wrote poetry as part of an open, amorphous grid.

No longer mine, these images belong to the viewer.

For more, visit marcweinsteinphotography.com and hammondmuseum.org.

Written By
More from Staff
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Botanical celebrates Monet’s floral works By Georgette Gouveia He was, of course,...
Read More
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *