Antonio Gaudi

Hiroshi Teshigahara is one of my favorite Japanese New Wave directors (The Woman in the Dunes is one of the greatest Japanese films of all-time in my opinion) and when I learned that the made a documentary about one of my favorite artists/architects of all-time, Antonio Gaudi (1985), I knew I'd have to see it. It is an extraordinary looks at some of the greatest modern architecture in the world and reminded me of my visit to Barcelona in the early 2000s, where I got to see many of these works up close in person. The soundtrack was composed by frequent Teshigahara collaborator Toru Takemitsu. I was surprised to learn that Japanese artists found similarities between Guadi's works and Jomon era (14,000-300 BC) pottery. And Guadi to this day after his rediscovery among Japanese in the 60s is still revered. The Criterion extras make this DVD release extra impressive: video interview with architect Arata Isozaki. footage from director Hiroshi Teshigahara's first trip to Spain, sculptures by Sofu- Vita, a short film by Teshigahara on the sculpture of his father, a program on Gaudi by director Ken Russell, a booklet featuring an essay by art historian Dore Ashton, and Visions of Space: "God's Architect", a 1-hour BBC special hosted by the late great Robert Hughes. A must for any Gaudi or architecture enthusiast.