Friday evening I went to a lecture about Antonio Gaudi, famous artist from Spain who's works include the famous Sagrada familia church and Park Guell in Barcelona. The lecture was mostly about Gaudi's attitude and continuing creative energy as he created new idea after new idea.
The lecture was held in Hewlett 201 which is not much different from any other lecture hall on campus save for its newness. Ironically, this relatively boring space made the lessons stick that much more.
The slides of Gaudi's work that showed elaborate, creative energy were in stark contrast to the mundane indoors of the lecture hall. Even with its newness and all its clean chairs, well lit stairways, etc, the building was bland.
Upon walking outside of the building after the lecture, I admired the near full moon and watched as its light struck gently upon the trees and occasional corners of buildings, manhole covers, and sidewalk textures. Here before me was a world of possibilities for design and a world of inspiration. It spoke to my soul with an inkling of a more exciting world. The bland lecture hall allowed me to really see where the learning and inspiration can come from. It is not in well conformed rows of seats within the rooms of an institution, but rather in the fresh outdoor air and amongst the unexpected, informal areas of learning....the manhole covers in the moonlight, the sidewalk textures under my feet. Those are the real inspirations for design and for continued pursuit of learning. These are what I live for.