Description
Barcelona is world renowned for the vibrant colors of its architecture, the elegance of its avenues, and the fascinating city landscape. All of this is mainly due to its strong connection with Modernism and Avant-Garde movements that made this city a real jewel of the Mediterranean Sea.
Would you like to discover Barcelona’s artistic and cultural heritage?
The course will introduce participants to the most remarkable architects of Barcelona (such as Antoni Gaudí, Lluís Domènech I Montaner, Josep Puig I Cadafalch) and Avant-Garde artists (such as Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Antoni Tapies, Ramon Casas..).
Together, we will travel through the centuries, and discover Barcelona’s masterpieces in architecture, painting, sculpture, and intellectual life.
Participants will visit the main buildings and museums of the city. Moreover, they will practice a variety of activities (such as Visual Thinking Strategies, sketching, and Catalan mosaic making) which they can use to engage their classroom in study visits.
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired a solid knowledge of the artistic and architectural panorama in Barcelona and will be able to share it with their students in traditional or more engaging learning activities.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Learn about the main artistic and historical scenario of Modernism and Avant-Garde;
- Provide historical context for topics concerning Modernism and Avant-Garde;
- Share their knowledge about history and arts with their students using traditional and engaging activities;
- Guide students in the interpretation of artworks in order to strengthen their visual thinking skills;
- Connect school subjects with activities inspired by Barcelona art and architectural scenarios;
- Lead students in art activities inspired by classical works of art.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – The artist versus operas
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Antoni Gaudí: the genius of Barcelona (Artist and Operas).
Day 2 – Modernism: beauty and nature in architecture
- Antoni Gaudí: visit to Casa Vicens;
- Josep Puig I Cadafalch: visit to Casa Amatller;
- Lluís Domènech I Montaner: visit the outside of Palau de la Musica catalana.
Day 3 – Avant-Garde in art: Museum of National Catalan Art
- Visit the MNAC to learn more about Joan Miró, Picasso, Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusinol, Joaquin Sunyer, and Maria Pidelaserra;
- The practice of Visual Thinking Strategies in the museum.
Day 4 – Avant-Garde in art: Picasso and Joan Miró
- Introduction to “Catalan Modernism”;
- Visit the Joan Miro Foundation;
- The modernism facade challenge/tour.
Day 5 – Hand on work!
- Activity: Let’s create your own trencadis (Catalan mosaic)!
- Introduction to the intellectuals and artists of the Catalan modernist scene;
- Visit the “Els Quatre Gats,” the tavern where Modernist artists met.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
