Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Do we still make beautiful things?

Can something be both utilitarian and a masterpiece? Is it possible for functionality and aesthetic beauty to coexist in perfect harmony? While walking the streets of Barcelona I can’t help but be intrigued by the idea of why utility and artistic expression converged.

A journey through the older streets of many European and some American cities, ones filled with older design and architecture, I can see the intricate play of utilitarianism together with aesthetics has raised a simple building space into something that transcends the ordinary and elevates the human experiences. Why someone took the time to turn everyday objects into cultural artifacts is a question that should still be asked today. Does man made beauty mattered anymore?

Throughout history, we can see so many examples of artistry intertwined with purpose, where utilitarianism and fine art gracefully live in tandem. History shows us examples that magnificently bridge the chasm between functionality and artistic expression, revealing the an impact of art. When the human imagination and artistic expression, were beautiflly merged to provoke thought, evoke pride of craftsmanship, and transcend the mundane.