aesthetic differences: Barcelona vs Paris

Out of pure spontaneity, a few of us decided to head to Barcelona for a bit of a change of scenery. Though Paris in the rain has a certain romantic quality, I felt compelled to spend some time somewhere a but more vivacious. Though I had spent only a few short days on the streets of Barcelona, the cultural differences between the two had been particularly striking. For me, it is hard to believe that two countries, lying so close in proximity, would exhibit such distinct environmental and cultural differences.

The most immediate distinction that I had made between these cultures were the architectural styles. Within the heart of Paris, the buildings are assimilated to the Haussman style. This style, though somewhat monotonous, shows aspects of the artistry of the neoclassical period - beautiful in their own respect. In contrast, the building lining the streets of Barcelona widely range in style, color and design. On nearly every corner, one can find the intriguing works of Gaudí, whose bizarre architecture defines Barcelona's aesthetic appeal.

Similarly, this distinction can be made between the French-style garden and the gardens that we'd wandered through while in Barcelona. The French garden is very linear, very planned out, and maintained. Similarly to the English garden, the Spanish gardens grow freely, and contains a wider variety of plants. 

There are aspect of each architectural and cultural style that I find appealing and artful in their own respects. I find that each style reflects something telling about the culture and the citizens who inhibit it. This sociological perspective of architecture and culture is really fascinating to me. It really fuels my drive to immerse myself into a range of cultures.