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Gaudi: Master of the Weird and Wonderful 建筑鬼才高第

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繁體中文譯本

Once in a while, an artist comes along whose ideas are so radical and distinctive that he creates a style all of his own. The Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi was certainly one such artist. While architecture is not always viewed as an art form, the amazing structures that Gaudi designed are truly works of art.

每隔一段时间，就会出现一位理念十足激进且独特的艺术家，创造独树一帜的个人风格。西班牙建筑师安东尼．高第正是这样的一位艺术家。虽然建筑有时不被视为一种艺术形式，但高第教人赞叹不已的建筑设计，称之艺术品当之无愧。

Growing up in the Catalonian countryside of the mid-19th century, Gaudi became fascinated by the forms that he saw in the natural world around him. As soon as he was old enough, he moved to the city of Barcelona to pursue his passion for architecture at university. By this point, he had already started to develop his signature style, which was influenced by nature and featured many curves and flowing shapes. His designs impressed and baffled his professors in equal measure. On Gaudi’s graduation, the college director commented, “Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or a genius!”

在19世纪中叶卡泰隆尼亚乡间长大的高第，他对从周遭自然界所观察到的各种生物形体深感着迷。当他到了可以自己打理生活起居的年纪，便马上搬到巴塞罗那市就读大学，追求自己对建筑的热情。此时，他独一无二的个人风格慢慢开始有了雏形，由于受大自然的影响极深，这个时期的特色是运用了大量曲线和动感的流线形状。他的设计令他的教授印象深刻，同时也困惑不已。高第毕业时，其所属学院的院长的评语为：「天晓得我们是把这纸证书颁给了一个疯子还是天才！」

Gaudi spent the rest of his life in Barcelona, transforming the city’s landscape through his unique architectural vision. As well as being a strict Catholic, he was extremely proud of his native Catalonia, incorporating elements of the region’s traditional architecture into his designs. Now, over 80 years since his death, his fellow Catalans no doubt remain equally proud to be able to count Gaudi as one of their own.

高第的下半生都在巴塞隆纳度过，透过他独到的建筑眼光，彻底改变了这座城市的景观。身为虔诚的天主教徒，高第深深以自己的家乡卡泰隆尼亚为傲，因此将该地区的传统建筑元素融入他的设计之中。至今距他逝世已逾80余载，可以确定的是，卡泰隆尼亚的居民仍以能与高第同乡为荣。

Vocabulary

单词发音

radical [ˋrædɪk!] adj. 根本的；彻底的

distinctive [dɪˋstɪŋktɪv] adj. 有特色的，特殊的

architecture [ˋɑrkə͵tɛktʃɚ] n. 建筑物

comment [ˋkɑmɛnt] v. 评论

diploma [dɪˋplomə] n. 毕业文凭，学位证书

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单词发音

once in a while 偶而 sometimes

come along 出现

Catalonian [͵kætəˋlonɪən] n. 加泰隆人（语）

Barcelona [͵bɑrsɪˋlonə] n. 巴塞隆纳（西班牙东北港）

signature style 独特风格

curve [kɝv] n. 曲线

baffle [ˋbæf!] v. 使困惑，难住

in equal measure  在同等程度上  in this sentence, it means that his designs made his professors both impressed and baffled

incorporate [ɪnˋkɔrpə͵ret] v. 把〔某物〕并入[（+in/into）]

Catalan [ˋkæt!ən] n.（西班牙）嘉泰罗尼亚人

课文朗读

课文讲解

Walking the streets of Barcelona today, one comes across examples of Gaudi’s impressive architecture everywhere. His buildings are distinguished by their vibrant colors, organic appearance, and use of curves. As the man himself once famously said, “The straight line belongs to man; the curved line belongs to Gods.”

如今，走在巴塞隆纳的街头，随处可见高第匠心独具的建筑设计。他建筑的特点为：鲜艳生动的色彩、接近自然的外观，以及运用大量的曲线。就像他曾经说过的那句名言：「直线属于人类；曲线属于上帝。」

His most famous work is the massive Sagrada Familia church that dominates Barcelona’s skyline. Gaudi took over construction of his awesome building a year after it started in 1882 and spent the rest of his life trying to perfect the project until his death in 1926, Incredibly, it still remains a work in progress today and isn’t expected to be finished for another few decades. One Barcelona landmark designed by Gaudi that was completed is Park Guell. Named after Gaudi’s patron, Eusebi Guell, this enchanting space is situated on a hillside overlooking the city. It is filled with weird and wonderful Gaudi designs, including a multi-colored stone dragon that guards the entrance. Just as impressive is Casa Batlló, an apartment building that Gaudi built for a wealthy nobleman. It has a somewhat grim theme, as the balconies are shaped like skulls with supporting pillars shaped like bones.

他最有名的代表作是，在巴塞隆纳天际线占有重要地位的圣家堂。这栋宏伟建筑于1882年开始兴筑，一年后由高第接手负责。直到他1926年过世前，他把下半生心血全投注在该工程上，冀望能将建案做到尽善尽美。令人难以置信的是，至今圣家堂还在施工中，看样子未来几十年内恐怕也不一定能完工。由高第设计，且顺利完成的工程是巴塞隆纳的地标之一：奎尔公园。这个有着奇妙魔力的空间以高第的赞助人尤赛比．奎尔命名，矗立于山丘上，可俯瞰全市。公园里头充斥着高第风格诡异、才华洋溢的设计，包括一座守护入口、五彩斑斓的石龙。同样令人叹为观止的建筑还有巴特娄之家，是高第为一名富裕贵族所设计的公寓。它的设计主题有些阴森可怕，因为阳台的形状像头骨，柱子则像骨头。

In all, seven of Gaudi’s masterpieces are listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO, confirming the importance of Gaudi’s unique cultural contribution. He has left his enduring mark not only in Barcelona but on the whole world of architecture.

总计高第有七件杰作被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产，肯定了高第对文化有独特贡献的重要性。他不仅在巴塞隆纳，也在整个建筑界留下了永恒的印记。

−by David Vickers

Vocabulary

单词发音

distinguish [dɪˋstɪŋgwɪʃ] v. 区别；识别

in progress 进行中

landmark [ˋlænd͵mɑrk] n.（显而易见的）地标

overlook [͵ovɚˋlʊk] v. 眺望；俯瞰

masterpiece [ˋmæstɚ͵pis] n. 杰作，名作

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单词发音

come across 偶然碰见 to meet or find by chance

organic [ɔrˋgænɪk] adj.（变化或发展）逐渐的，自然的

skyline [ˋskaɪ͵laɪn] n.（建筑物等在天空映衬下的）空中轮廓线; 天际线

take over 接管, 继任 to assume the control or management of or the responsibility for

patron [ˋpetrən] n. 赞助者，资助者

enchanting [ɪnˋtʃæntɪŋ] adj. 迷人的，使人着魔的

hillside [ˋhɪl͵saɪd] n. 山腰，山坡

grim [grɪm] adj. 阴森的，令人生畏的

balcony [ˋbælkənɪ] n. 阳台，露台

confirm [kənˋfɝm] v. 肯定，确定

enduring [ɪnˋdjʊrɪŋ] adj. 持久的; 持续的

Reading Questions 

1. What does the article tell us about Gaudi’s early life?

A. He grew up in the city of Barcelona.

B. He only discovered his love for architecture after university.

C. His professors were all confident of his success.

D. He spent much time observing plants and animals.

2. Which of the following is NOT true of Gaudi’s style?

A. It was influenced by traditional buildings in Catalonia.

B. Only natural materials were used in the construction of his buildings.

C. His designs featured shapes inspired by nature.

D. It was sometimes grim, sometimes vibrant, but always unique.

3. What do we know about the Sagrada Familia?

A. Its construction has continued for over a century.

B. It was originally Gaudi’s idea to build it.

C. Gaudi joined its construction shortly before he died in 1926.

D. It is due to be completed within the next few years.

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the article?

A. Gaudi was the first architect to view his work as art.

B. Gaudi’s buildings were not appreciated while he was alive.

C. It always took Gaudi a very long time to complete his projects.

D. Gaudi helped to change the way people view architecture.

BARCELONA - SAGRADA FAMILIA. HD

Parc Guell, Barcelona - Dreamspaces - BBC

Casa Batlló, Barcelona

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