ARTIST STATEMENT
My project, SAGRADA FAMILIA: FOREST OF LIGHT is a series of photographs capturing the architectural magnificence, beauty and detail of the Sagrada Familia, a Cathedral located in Barcelona, Spain.
My first trip to Barcelona and Spain, 2011, was kind of a spiritual journey exploring the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and my own spiritual journey as I was turning 60. And similarities I have found in Ignatius and my own life. It was more a spiritual experience than it was a religious or Catholic thing. It was also influenced by my Catholic upbringing and work in the Catholic Church. During that first trip I experienced a kind of awakening giving me a desire to want to return to Spain yearly. It was on this first trip I discovered the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. There is something about his life experience and loves that resonates with me. On subsequent trips, I have continued to explore Gaudi’s work, his birthplace, childhood and life, along with other artists, Barcelona and Spain and its vibrancy. It is from this exploring, I have come to know myself better, who I am, what interests me and my likes.
Antoni Gaudi, (1852-1926), chief architect and designer of the Sagrada Familia, was hired in 1882, a year after the project began. He worked on it until his tragic death in 1926. Work on the Cathedral continues to this day. The projected completion is 2026, although this is now in question.
Gaudi’s three greatest loves were Architecture, his Catholic Faith, and Nature, all of which the Sagrada Familia mirrors. His designs for the Sagrada are inspired by his observations of Nature, “the greatest teacher of all.” The Joyful facade of the cathedral, depicting the birth and boyhood of Jesus was very much influenced by the odd, finger-like shapes and dripping rock formations of the Spanish Pyrenees mountains in Catalonia, Spain.
Unlike other cathedrals of the time, which were very dark and cold inside, Gaudi wanted to create the feel of being in a forest filled with light. The tree like columns are inclined and at angles representing the way trees lean and support the canopy of the forest, with rays of light filtering through creating an atmosphere inspiring Awe and Prayer. Stain glass windows throughout allow for rays of light to stream in from sunrise to sunset. The experience of being in the Sagrada is very much like being immersed in a forest with sunlight trickling through the canopy of the trees. The warmth and color is awe-inspiring, creating an uplifting experience. SAGRADA FAMILIA | FOREST OF LIGHT!
BIO
Dan Faloon has lived in San Francisco, CA, since 1998. Born 1951, into an Irish, Italian, Polish Catholic family, in Youngstown, OH. He has five younger siblings.
Dan took his first trip to Barcelona, Spain with his partner, Loren, in 2011, and they have been back nearly every year since. This has given Dan opportunities to experience and explore the architectural marvel and genius of Antoni Gaudi and such great artists as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, and one of his all time favorite artists - Salvador Dali. Other who have inspired him include Ansel Adams, Charles Schultz and his grandmother Mary Dama.
In 2016, Dan retired after a career of over forty-two years, teaching and serving as a Director of Religious Education and Faith Formation in the Catholic Church. In 2017, he began pursuing Photography classes at City College of San Francisco. He enjoys them and has found photography and continued learning bring him a lot of joy and purpose! He especially loves nature and architectural photography and photographic print-making. Not working in the Church and being retired has been a freeing experience for him to explore another side of himself - his artistic, creative side. At 73, he is enjoying the process and the journey, wherever it might lead!
While never ordained, Dan spent six and a half years studying at St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary’s Seminaries in Cincinnati, OH, to become a priest. He has a Masters Degrees in Theology and an MBA degree, both from the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH. He has also taken classes at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Notre Dame University, IN, and the University of San Francisco. Education has always been an important part of his life and he considers himself a life-long learner. Dan has completed over 70 credits at CCSF, in Photography, drawing, graphic design, digital illustration and Spanish and has received Certificates of Achievement in Digital Photography; Architectural Photography; Photography Digital Technician.
He loves farmers' markets, deep sea fishing and the outdoors. In his younger years, he was an avid runner, and to this day places a high priority on exercise and spending time in nature, where he finds solace and a sense of the Awe!
Dan is part of the exhibition, Portfolio Production Highlights, CCSF, Spring 2025, in the Gallery Obscura, City College of San Francisco, March 28 .