Gaudí at U3A Vall Del Pop

ON Thursday, February 3, Vall del Pop U3A will be holding its second general assembly for 2022, when we will have an opportunity to learn about Antoni Gaudí, the innovative Spanish Art Nouveau architect at the turn of the 20th century.

This fascinating character designed some stunning buildings but he was apparently a difficult man to work with: arrogant and confrontational with no respect for time, budget, or planning regulations. Nearly all his work is in Barcelona and we shall explore it under three headings:

First, we shall be told about some of his residential buildings, like Casa Batlló and Casa Milà

Second, we shall hear about his work for his principal client, Eusebi Güell a man with bottomless pockets and limitless patience. Most prominent here are the Palau Güell and Park Güell

The final section will cover the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the church which Gaudí worked on from 1883 until his death in 1926. Only now is it nearing completion.

We will be taken through this highly interesting story by Peter Atkinson.

Peter was brought up on Teesside in north-eastern England. From 1962 to 1965 he studied geography at the University of Birmingham where he met his wife Gill, a fellow student. He spent all his working life as a market research consultant, initially in London and then, from 1977, in Toronto. He and Gill retired to Spain in 2000 and live in Jesús Pobre. Speaking on aspects of history, geography or art are important retirement projects for Peter. He is also an avid photographer and spends a lot of time on his bicycle.

Do come along for what will be a fascinating talk, destined to get us to want to get out and see some of these remarkable buildings for ourselves.

Doors will open at 10.00 and the GA will start at 11.00, at the Polivalent in Murla. For further information about the U3A Vall del Pop, our interest groups, our meetings and trips please visit the website www.u3avalldelpop.com