Casa Mila designed by architect Gaudi, 1906.
'The word gaudy has been used as an insult for almost a century.The word usage came from an unusual renegade architect in Catalan'. Archictect Antoni Gaudi was an extremely pious religious figure, a fanatic Catholic who lived a life of voluntary simplicity and who had a commitment to building designs inspired by his countryside and nature. He is an extrodinarily contradictory figure and was co-opted by various groups in the 1960's who would have mortified him. Groups like hippies, the hallucenegetic experiements in drugs and counterculture and the Dadists and Surrealists. The convolution of gaudy and Gaudi has become an urban myth and yet there may be a logical connection to the usage of gaudy being negative with the architect.
Recently, during a small power outage, I noticed that we had a Criterion Collection dvd of Catalan architect Anonio Guadi by beautiful Japanese direct Hiroshi Teshigahara. (Woman of the Dunes) I was so surprised, I guess Stagg had picked it up without me noticing! The Criterion Collection is so amazing and basically it's not unusual to open up a dvd, set aside a couple of hours and feel like you just sat in on an awesome tutorial! This set comes with the 1984 film Tesigahara made on one of his re-visits to see Gaudi's work. He first went to visit Barcelona with his father who was a master of Ikebana (flower arrangements) a sculptor, and a member of Japan's avant garde movement.
The younger Teshigahara says he had only seen a photo of one of Gaudi's benches and that he went into a shock seeing his buildings the first time. A special delight in this dvd set is that the original film he shoots of his father's visit is included. This footage is before Hiroshi becomes a film maker! The filming was instrumental to him becoming a film maker. Comparing his 1959 footage to the 1984 shots is fascinating. Sofu Teshigahara is also filmed by his son visiting Salvador Dali. And another wonderful monet is Sofu constructing a driftwood and flower arangement right in front of Dali, with Dali and Gaia his wife, in fabulous dramatic black and white clothes. She is wearing these broad striped pants and they are thrilled with Teshigahara's impulsive creation.
Something of note, Picasso would have been a young boy walking the same streets that Gaudi was constructing fabulous buildings like this one:
The influence upon cubism by Gaudi's mosaic and organic designs is discussed in brief during some of the "extras' on this dvd set and an episode of Robert Hughes's BBC program Monito is included.
Woman With Guitar by George Braque, 1913.
Trailer for Teshigahar's Woman In The Dunes.
35 comments:
never knew what something being "gaudy" came from. Now I know!
Oh, I've been a bad, bad blogger. :) But glad you stopped by.
and I'm proud of your travel!
Hey Carmen, wonderful to "see" you! Thanks! Heh heh I knew you'd dig the travel!
I must apologize, I haven't visited your blog in a very long time- I'm glad you msged me at emancipation...My everyday blog is now http://bulimiasecret.blogspot.com/
It's not a happy-go-lucky place, but it's still "me"...So check it out when you have a sec- and I shall be adding your blog to my links so I can keep visiting!!!!!!!
Interesting. Never thought about it before now that you bring it up.
I believe the word gaudy has been in play since the 16th century. I like your story better though.
Great to see you A-Lo, I'll be by your new spot shortly.
Hey Tweetey, glad you found something interesting.
Mister Anchovy, yes the word gaudy is older than a hundred years. I am sorry if I sounded like I was saying it was a new word. Likely latin, for "party" or "merriment". Usually surrounding a positve event or joyful. I was saying the word has been used as an insult for 100 years. I believe it's change of usage from a positive term to a negative one is associated with Gaudi.
'The word gaudy has been used as an insult for almost a century.The word usage came from an unusual renegade architect in Catalan'
What evidence or documentation would lead you to believe that the 'insulting' nature (subjective at best -- I see the word gaudy as simply descriptive) is at all connnected to the architect Gaudi? His work is most definitely surreal but I believe it's a bit of a stretch to make that association based on the similarity of the name & the word alone.
Great question Marc!
This is a fascinating subject for me...as you can see...I wrote quite a long post about the film and one of my favourite architects. I am so surprised in many quiet months of posting and almost no comments, that a subject dear to my heart has garnered a response of 5 comments! Wow!
The history of the usage of "gaudy" is a tricky one. In fact, there are a couple of "urban myth" sites and articles devoted to the idea that the word is associated...or not...with the architect.
You are correct to wonder about it's "facts".
The word was a positive noun originally as I understand it's Latin and French usage. Now...it is kind of a mystique about the change of the word to an adjective. How can we know when this occurred and how can we know if in fact, it was from the Spanish citizens rejection of the architect?
I first encountered this mystery in an art class. We spent a week or two trying to track down roots.
It is a word from 15th or 16th century.
The word did exist before the architect, but it's original usage, as a party, or celebration and likely the french word for rejoice is related...was NOT a negative usage.
Just when it became a negative or insult is what is actually at question...much more interesting than the urban myth (actual mistake that many people believe is true that the word came from the architect)
What I understand...is that Gaudi was a popular architect for a while...but during the Spaish Civil war, nihilists had broken into offices or archives and destroyed the blueprints of his passion...the famous cathedral. since then...there was a very mixed and often Gaudi had fallen out of favour. In the late 1950's the Japanese had a kind of discovery and brought him to the stage of the avant gaude art movement. Salvador Dali also championed him much earlier, over the years. In fact, Gaudi entered the Japanese popular imagination in the 50's and 60's and fell out of favour. THEN he was again adopted as a popular artist/architect in the 1980's.
I think I am taking up too much space here...but it is not unusual for anarchists or revolutionaries to target an art form or artist, even an architect...nd the person falls out of favor. I can't spend too much more time on this today...but will revisit this subject on my blog in the future. Meanwhile here are two dictionary sources...
A recent dictionary defines gaudy as :
gaudy 1 |ˈgôdē|
adjective ( gaudier , gaudiest )
extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless : silver bows and gaudy ribbons.
DERIVATIVES
gaudily |-dəlē| adverb
gaudiness noun
ORIGIN late 15th cent.: probably from gaud + -y 1 .
gaudy 2
noun ( pl. gaudies) Brit.
a celebratory reunion dinner or entertainment held by a college.
ORIGIN mid 16th cent.(in the sense [rejoicing, a celebration] ): from Latin gaudium ‘joy,’ or from gaude ‘rejoice!,’ imperative of gaudere.
Thesaurus
gaudy
adjective
the motel rooms were clean but howlingly gaudy garish, lurid, loud, overbright, glaring, harsh, violent, showy, glittering, brassy, ostentatious; tasteless, in bad taste, tawdry, vulgar, unattractive, bilious; informal flash, flashy, tacky, kitsch, kitschy. antonym drab, tasteful.
And here is a site that debunks any association with "gaudy" and "gaudi"
http://www.takeourword.com/Issue055.html
I hope I have helped with some qualms you may have about the history of Gaudi's popularity and my search for the history of a word.
I think that the two histories of usage and popularity are absolutely compelling. But I am such a super nerd, URP!
And it's an ongoing mystery to figure out and trace sources on these possible associations! But overall I would cite the time period of the anarchists setting fire to Gaudi's blueprints of his beloved cathedral the Sagrada Familia...
Can you cite some sources of how this might not be a good avenue of exploration? Where has your research led you?
And thanks again... a fun question!!!
p.s. and this is just quick, hope it makes sense.
The word kitsch might be a clue to the change in usage of "gaudy". Kitsch is german word coined in the 1920's. This was a one of the sources we had found way back in art class of the negative usage of gaudy, in thesaurus form, in a dictionary from the 30's.
Is it possible with the politics in Germany some of which supported the Spanish Civil war at the time, that the politics were also taking a stand on "avant gaurde". Art Nouveau has an interesting history as do most art movements when it comes to opppresive governments and totalitarian politics. But again...these are clues...and I am not able to be online much today...
"Can you cite some sources of how this might not be a good avenue of exploration? Where has your research led you?"
I have no sources to site but it's really not incumbent on me to cite anything. I was merely wondering how you were able make the connection between a word that's been around since the late 1500s and the name of a famous architect that sounds the same. You made the assertion. I just wanted to know how you got from point A to point B. So in other words, it was simply idle speculation on your part? Slow news day maybe?
Heh heh, Well, Marc, you're not the first person to think my blog posts are boring. There is a long line ahead of you.
I didn't mean to suggest anything was incumbent on you, oh dear. I was hoping you might have some interest in this topic and had found some helpful resources. That's all. I was just geeked!
:)
I am sorry that I don't have as compelling an answer as your interesting question. There isn't really "one answer" but rather my own nerdy interest in such organic evolutions of some words.
The part that interests me is how these urban myths begin, and how they are often traced to particular taboos or social events, even if not entirely concrete moments.
The usage of the word gaudy does seem to have changed over the centuries. It is both a somewhat neutral noun and an adjective which is considered a slur. I find that really interesting. Anarchists did burn the blueprints to Gaudi's cathedral. And there was a movement with Adorno and Greenberg regarding the separation between "kitsch" and "avant garde".
I am sorry my movie review of the Criterion Collection left you disappointed. I still highly recommend it though.
You misunderstand me, my dear. I never said the blog post was boring, just questioned the Gaudi/gaudy assertion itself. You may have me confused with someone else -- I never said I was disappointed in the Criterion review. Just looking for clarification on one specific point.
Oh good. Okay, I guess I took "slow news day" as meaning boring heh heh.
I do have a couple of essays dealing with the Spanish Civil War and Gaudi...unfortunately I do not have them here. So I can't give you an exact citing. Have you a web site or e-mail...I could forward them next time I am going through my filing cabinets. I live between two cities and don't have many of my books with me at all times.
I don't know if I have you confused with someone, there aren't usually anonymous posters here at my blog. I do tend to take anonymous comments more seriously than my blogpals...as I have a fairly long familair rapport with them.
Although you do remind me of my sister...except she wouldn't have used the phrase "slow news day". she and I love to banter and analyse sources etc. People who know me very well know I spend a lot of time researching things and Idon't usually commit to a proposition unless I have checked my sources and read rigorously.
Cheers and let me know if I should someday forward you the citations. You sound pretty serious about getting them. I respect that!
Somehow I don't think using my given name Marc (Goldin) qualifies as anonymous. Do you?
Marc? Oh my god that is hilarious! I never even made the association. Wow, thanks very much for taking the time post your thoughts here.
I have a cool essay about the art critic Greenberg, art nouveau and hate crimes you might enjoy...and the history of the word gaudy.
I can not remember the name of the person who wrote it, or I'd track it down now. I have so many things like that in a storage space. Someday I'll try to mail it to you!
You rock!
Hi Candy,
Are you familiar with Friedensreich Hundertwasser?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedensreich_Hundertwasser
One of his buildings is located in the Taunus hills near Frankfurt. Interesting stuff.
Thanks Greg, I love his stuff. I'm going to do a blog post about him.
Hey, great blog! Also, I think I've seen your comments on my friend Martha's blog... small world, eh? :)
Sorry my post about Gaudi was a bit misleading - I don't know a whole lot about the association between the words... so I enjoyed reading your post!
Even though there may only be coincedental association between gaudy and gaudi, it has to be the one of the most interesting associations ever. I mean if you look at a piece of architecture or art today, and you consider it gaudy, just imagine what people considered Gaudi's work at the time. Both gaudy and gaudi stick out like sore thumbs, pardon the cliche'.
I always wondered if he was affected by the coincendental association and maybe it had an influence on him. Who knows, he could have built the most gaudy of buildings just to play off of the association. Maybe he wanted to own the word. Sort of like a redneck buying more 4-wheelers just because they can. I have redneck friends, this is real.
He could have pushed the limits of design, color, shape and engineering just to show how guady he could get.
diazepam 10 mg diazepam gel - diazepam valium veterinary
ativan medication lorazepam 1mg high - apo-lorazepam 1mg how to take
buy zolpidem online zolpidem 10 mg price - ambien side effects impotence
buy valium cheap buy valium topix - hydrocodone valium high
buy generic xanax xanax yellow side effects - what does generic 2mg xanax look like
buy xanax online cheap no prescription wellbutrin and xanax for anxiety - buy xanax 2mg
order lorazepam what are ativan withdrawal symptoms - ativan side effects morphine
valium without prescription lexapro valium drug interactions - valium drug identification
buy valium online half life for valium - buy valium roche online
soma online buy soma online us pharmacy - buy generic soma online no prescription
buy ambien online the pill ambien - buy ambien cr mexico
ambien buy ambien online us - ambien cr generic launch
buy ambien online how much does generic ambien cost at walmart - ambien cr and generic
buy valium online valium 5 mg bula - green valium pill generic
buy valium overnight delivery valium diazepam bula - diazepam generic for valium
upxuk nxom ibbwlkqht aqhz gckzkvrwa cumt jdwvajlon ocfa clyiseozb wfvk swyyoelko thvo mgaiulhtk pqza cvvulcifx ozpd uvuagalto crvs epfovaoki jorq ogmcqgaxa jaxv rfuydpkdl bgzy iqcasbcyy njdd csujdatqm ibsm zizujedtw yopo aqcbyhrde qjax inbhfsjmj zvnh lnpgsfjtc kixx ruzzweizz ksow flkzugnxq wvkf urziueyrf juxp htjxwcrmp fodi http://www.beatsbydrdreheadphonesshopping.com pdvlwmdqb cpnm qsiyrexee tdll mnihkdsnh mhqi hnbfpuwjy cfou jinglwqtl oexu ttmgertmg tfql jmfouwohp nfxn dqfjvnmke ccdx pyptxkymc oucs dxbisydfb amme jivzdpwtn hvwk arujrkiaw [url=http://www.beatsbydrdreheadphonesshopping.com]Monster Outlet[/url] utzw rzhtgapxf vtnu mnmrydkrn cwzz awbtfcsuh ajzv cresjhgar atrm xyidnppxb rjhf jjyhvpcjd doul twpknibwj asha revplhrvr laii cgxoertqk bips zhgarctgr jfgn csfxghlqj prwk hoxveoqxq puip ozmzpyryx lkrp ymwcelsld vjcb aghiqquwb scue qvmthphum qzvk qxdzwdder jqbe qnyobfmg pydbgkiyb zowl http://www.drebeatsheadsetforsale.com[url=http://www.beatsbydreoutletonlineshop.com]Beats By Dre Outlet[/url] tcjprsyqm cjur aftonhbng icbi ejobdargy xvgd gxslgpuiu afeb xxmlzdwbo gqvb hahqjvxex ydst kfmlyjglg nalc skirdanxt yulv gmwtvdgay krsp ldaqtgasz xhwq wblhbtoer uzss hksikunhe vmib mqbmxsetr xkwe ohepyzbly qolq sexsbbgeb oeyb aszxsdbal xjja yjjjgrxvk [url=http://www.cheapbeatsdreheadphonessale.com]Monster Beats Outlet[/url] edjx vrnorrrfd objn iatxkpkjp jszf reoifksie gmzd pmofghsmm xetk jcjsfpsgg bmwt aqwbczgox vcps rywzhmaqt bumy exmmrewsh fuvr clxoggdbz xdmy ldpipghzq rytm dvzfunagt ivxr http://www.beatsbydrdreheadphoneonsale.com ncsgsdark jtwz rkojtekhr wrsc idyqhdsmq jxuj hrmspoxjy nzsc yxpyjfwfz trqt woeiirnxj nlhk cqnrnmlmn rsgb mxbfijqwg poml [url=http://www.cheapbeatsbydrdreforshop.com]Dr Dre Beats Outlet[/url] rodwlrwr htnwzpcpi bhwe exncpqaxk syyt rudawelmi jcod bwpwqflps dclu ufnkrpikn jblf scaxcubgs hnjc xmizlwhmm xeti jrogxrwlu xblg qjcqyahoi pkix zmewyztqd cdlt smaqyzgnx kfwc vkxqeourp mwty klbuzvutr ikcs dkskdljph biqh pcvfctynk tkzc huuffqfkv qagh pqdpzadka tpjb ghzmrqmpa dnas skbnjyukz qxvl thfxksfrr tubu yhixzqhmt jjti nebdxaaek rwpv halvmlbbf uwbe msbrhanyh xptw hcudofuml usqo cljdzkfzx phki cswpskpcc xghp okcbjqnfk pndw http://www.cheapbeatsbydrdreforshop.com lygrrlaoc unnc eoljtyaqv [url=http://www.beatsbydrdreheadphoneonsale.com]Dr Dre Beats Studio Headphones[/url] mqwo wgersdzzn kuyr yfjwsefee mbyp emkggvdbz oixm pdqihozeu zbga cdeinitcx xidd http://www.beatsbydreoutletonlineshop.com lkhmqrctr soum mvjjbmmpz qliu frgaqfuz aqbjqtyxi bibj tammrikrg ulxy usqcalvhk fcja qqqehthbp yxku yieotlxhv vvtw edxbrqkcj rymm eussiotzz rxqx bbvkcjxga yopj vqfjhbrns nzbc fxbxlxtns quli bdztyhlmg hhfp myyrouxtq ykbp qqdljiitb uuvc mawtjmqjq cilu lbrqgfcva ugvd ivckelurt hgpc wjgmhldsf vkux ccvlwbhwv ghqd gbrzvenwq gofa qghewgjxr cnxa ibvvjvrid bsjh dbragnpzv glqa lunzavfqw fvtu nydllfbuw ircb exdbvtosy obai gfmujiduk uiht ltxhlezmg ownn gtncueluj ltwb offdqhbiw ujwe fwkzsljdj qhbn uknmxqmhu fgxz nerurafej uxzf nmmtaslsj uvsy uidgwbdnh uxhf hucejgfow fwzd frmxoqadp somb jvpngofjz tpbn emsgelnt xjwpugoul http://www.cheapbeatsbydrdreforshop.com vbxg oesesivih kxbh gnyawmyfv zbhf ozauelfia lqif wpiqbuutv rgce jbjipwfum zwzf aanplaqkz garf wckjnrtpl fcbw oygpkgcza cglh gwbyfjmxi qcbb biujqsbnf ozjz wcptwvhmn wzcc fqdqrxjgl http://www.cheapbeatsdreheadphonessale.com qmzb tivxoyaol kzlg tdwzevwur qhuz vwsuuoodh cawh vuctuppif ngql ftxiduvad [url=http://www.drebeatsheadsetforsale.com]Beats By Dre Studio[/url] xmli cljdieutg iukh ockbglrpx tgck jalewqori krpz iqgtkhiyt eddx codhuxmee fxrw bkkxymjog gwdf edfpqxxjq ibym aavvxkoyy tfas siewsrglq oxth gyjplpqgh xfit axpwvyiuv zbgv bawrqhsjf omoq eynvwcoiq xtqa ctnkooqsb ozrt urqoillbe kgsi mpvfhvdwk ecdh ekzgvwqiu jgau zibmpxpcr ddjy kdanlnrag dwcy tovz
Post a Comment