Gaudí laid out most of the theological programme for the Temple, which artists have been commissioned to carry out with their own creativity ever since. However, in order to give their work the right expressiveness and make sure all the pieces fit together, it is important for the artists to have a deep understanding of the meaning behind their representations and the general characteristics of the project as a whole. So, in 2016, the Temple’s Board of Trustees decided to set up a Theology Committee and an Art Committee to provide guidance for both Foundation members and the team of architects and artists in their decision-making process. In this post, we’ll look at the members of these committees and their functions.
The Theology Committee is made up of theologians Dr Armand Puig, rector of Ateneu Sant Pacià and author of books on the symbolism of the Sagrada Família who has been advising the architects on topics related to symbolism for years; Joan Galtés, current provicar general for the Archdiocese of Barcelona; and Dr Francesc Torralba, professor at Ramon Llull University, member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors and adviser to the Pontifical Council for Culture. All three study and interpret Antoni Gaudí’s proposals from his original documents and the architect’s demands, to explain the theological meaning and significance, while also assessing them based on current situations and knowledge. For example, on the Glory façade, they have delved deeper into Gaudí’s programme and interpreted how heaven and hell should be represented today. Plus, for some parts of the building or architectural elements, Gaudí’s plan has to be expanded or fleshed out with proposals that are theologically sound and also fit in with the overall meaning of the project to create a harmonious whole. In these cases, the Theology Committee is also in charge of this task.
For its part, the Art Committee is made up of five art critics and historians: Daniel Giralt-Miracle, art, design and architecture historian and critic who specialises in Gaudí and had already advised the Board of Trustees and architects on artistic matters for several years; Josep Bracons, art historian and professor of fine art and design; Sílvia Muñoz d’Imbert, historian, art critic and curator; Bernat Puigdollers, art historian, critic and curator and member of the management team at the Museum of Montserrat; and Maria Garganté, art historian and anthropologist specialising in Baroque art and heritage and a professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Facultat Antoni Gaudí. In this case, the architects explain the project to the Committee and, together, they study the general characteristics the art should have, taking into account the meaning it is meant to convey and how it fits into the surrounding architecture. One of this Committee’s most important responsibilities, in fact, is to propose a selection of artists that suit each task for the architects and Board of Trustees to choose from. In this task, they take into account the general characteristics of the artwork, from materials to techniques, expressiveness and size.
Both committees meet regularly with the team of architects to properly interpret the religious and theological content and meaning, in the case of the Theology Committee, and to find the right artistic expression and propose artists to carry it out, in the case of the Art Committee. Additionally, when necessary, they hold joint meeting so the theologians can explain the theological meaning of the ideas that must be conveyed through the artwork to the members of the Art Committee.
So, when starting work on a part or element, the team of architects explains the architectural project to the two committees, based on original information from Antoni Gaudí, focusing both on architecture and meaning. Then, the artist has to imbue the work with their own meaning and iconography, while also integrating the piece into the project as a whole and with the general artistic intentions, for example in terms of size, adapting to the architecture, material or general expressiveness. During the process of making the artwork, the architects, with support from the theologians and art experts, are in regular contact with the artists to help them integrate the piece properly into the architectural work.
Currently, the architects and the two committees, commissioned by the Board of Trustees, are working on several projects to prepare an invitation-only call for proposals for the artwork for the Glory façade. On the one hand, the architects are preparing the preliminary project for the façade based on original information from Gaudí: the model, floor plans and written descriptions; and, on the other hand, the Theology Committee has drafted the theology plan for the façade based on its interpretation of Gaudí’s proposal, which will soon be presented to the Board of Trustees, while the Art Committee is preparing the rules for the call for proposals and choosing the artists who will be invited to participate, which must be approved by the Board of Trustees.
The committees’ work, therefore, is essential to understand the information from Gaudí’s original project and to interpret it according to more current criteria, in terms of both the theological content and the artwork.
Hello to everyone involving in the construction of this amazing chef d’œuvre.
As my mother of tongue is French the text below will be written in French to make sure I got the right words about a vision that I had after visiting and reading about Gaudi’s devotion.
D’abord commençons par une brève présentation de moi. Je suis de la province de Québec au Canada. Je suis chrétien, retraité informaticien ayant aussi évolué dans le monde de la production cinématographique, du spectacle de scène à titre de producteur.
Je suis allé très récemment visiter pour la première fois la Sagrada Família. J’ai été ébloui par cette merveille que je convoitais visiter depuis une décennie. J’aimerais vraiment remercier Le Très Haut d’avoir inspirer et mis entre les mains de l’homme, la connaissance et les talents afin de mettre en place cette belle expression de la foi chrétienne.
Suite à ma visite, j’ai cru bon de vous partager mon enthousiasme et une idée qui m’est venue soudainement comme une sorte de souffle qui sort de nul part que je me dois d’exprimer. Peut être que cette idée est déjà sur vos tables à dessins, mais permettez moi d’en douter.
Nous savons tous que Gaudi était un homme de grande foi qui l’a amener à s’exprimer via l’art et l’architecture. Il s’est assuré de construire une œuvre humaine permettant aux fidèles des s’y recueillir en toute sérénité. Un trait attachant de Gaudi fut l’importance de reconnaître que cette œuvre vient de l’homme, au point de préciser la hauteur de la tour centrale qui doit être plus basse que le Mont juic afin de reconnaître que Dieu est Le plus grand.
Mais voici que suite à ma visite suivante, donc le soir, j’ai remercier Notre Seigneur de cette merveille et je me suis dis ceci: la foi chrétienne est une croyance selon les enseignements de Jésus cette, mais cette foi se manifeste par l’expression d’un bonheur qui manifestement doit rayonner sur le monde.
Lorsque, le jour, nous sommes à l’intérieur du bâtiment, nous vivons et sentons cette lumière entrant par les vitraux et nous fait comprendre que Dieu offre ses rayons et c’est à nous de l’accepter ou pas. Donc l’église, le bâtiment, démontre très bien cette expression. La lumière qui entre en chacun de nous. Mais tout ne s’arrête pas là. Une fois empreint de cette lumière par l’acceptation du Christ dans son cœur, le chrétien devient lui même rayonnant. Il devient lumière pour les gens dans la noirceur. Jesus rayonnait sur le monde, ce qu’un chrétien est appelé à être et par surcroît, ce que l’église est appellée à être. Ici, l’importance du mot « ÊTRE ».
Mais comment démontrer ce rayonnement en rapport avec la Sagrada Família?
Les plus futés auront compris que le soir, ces mêmes vitraux pourraient projeter (RAYONNER) de l’intérieur (ÊTRE) vers l’extérieur (EXPRESSION).
Chose difficile me direz vous. Certes, mais une fumée mécanique servirai. Même que lors des soirées avec nuages, on comprendrais que Dieu domine sur les nuages et la noirceur..
En ce qui a attrait à la faisabilité, comme je suis retraité, je peux me rendre disponible, au besoin, et peux vous offrir bénévolement mon temps. Sachez que je suis du Québec, et j’ai des liens avec le monde du spectacle (Cirque du soleil) et de la production cinématographique qui peuvent être très utiles.
Merci à l’avance de l’attention portée sur la proposition de mon idée.
Cordialement,
Ghislain Simard
Hello Ghislain,
thanks very much for providing us with your comments. We will forward your comments to the appropriate department.
Kind regards.