Barcelona Floors - A Ceramic Tribute to Catalan Modernisme
Barcelona is easily one of the europe’s most ambitious cities for architecture and interior design. Thanks in a large part to the legacy left by Gaudi and the Modernistes of his era, this capital of Catalan culture has created its own indelible mark. And it’s not just the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell which represent this spirit, in fact if you are too busy looking up at all the incredible buildings and sculptures you might miss one of the city’s greatest treasures - its ornate and diverse array of hydraulic mosaic floor tiles. From street pavements to the humblest of city dwellings, these distinctive ceramic wonders provide a visual constant, representing a vast wealth of catalan innovation and industry.
It’s from this frame of mind that Pixartprinting reached out to Sebastian Erras - a gifted photographer who had already garnered fame for his photos of Parisian and Venetian floors. Together they’ve collaborated to bring us Barcelona Floors - a multimedia project which documents a journey throaugh the city’s streets and landmarks, all from a perspective which is often ignored by the average pedestrian. The site features a detailed map to pinpoint the locations each photo was shot, along with individual stories to set the mood. There’s a wide palette of themes and styles on display, from organic to geometric, there’s even a bit of trompe l’oeil 3D trickery in the mix - a testament to the craftsmen’s ability and willingness to experiment and push the envelope farther than most would.
This concept is a foreign one to the pragmatic spirit of contemporary western thought on the topic of flooring. For most modern designers, it’s merely an afterthought and wood or stone floors with some throw rugs are about as far as they are willing to venture. This photo series presents a compelling challenge to such complacency. We pay so much attention to walls and ceilings with custom wallpaper, crown mouldings and relief patterns, while ignoring a whole world of possibilities beneath our feet.
All images courtesy of Sebastian Erras. View more at his home page or visit him on Instagram .How FinePrintArt.com Maintains Its Ad-Free Creative Platform
FinePrintArt.com is a unique platform developed and maintained by Fine Print New York, experts in the restoration of antique, rare & damaged wallpapers. This collaboration allows this website to offer insightful, ad-free content on creative artists and the evolution of visual branding. Fine Print's expertise in restoring vintage designs directly informs the rich, well-researched articles found here, showcasing our commitment to both historical preservation and contemporary artistic exploration.
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Joseph Gornail a distinguished printer/photographer and the visionary behind Fine Print New York, hails from SoHo, Manhattan. Rooted in a family tradition of NYC printing, Joseph mastered the craft as a teenager. His significant impact on the New York printing industry ignited in 1996 with Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong. He founded All City Marketing & Printing in the late '90s and co-created the iconic streetwear label Orchard Street with partners Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett in 1999. In 2004, Joseph launched Fine Print NYC, establishing it as a leading commercial printing firm. The company debuted with a landmark project for Nike, epitomizing innovation and resilience in the modern digital landscape.
Steven Garcia a prominent designer/illustrator and creative director at Fine Print, originates from Bushwick, Brooklyn. A graduate of Fashion Industries High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), Steven has carved a notable path in the design world. His early career highlights include a role as a sought-after professional retoucher and storyboard artist at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1996. Embracing his entrepreneurial side, Steven founded ShinyDesign in 1998, which later became a key design partner for Fine Print NYC in 2004. His extensive portfolio features collaborations with elite brands such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria, Netflix and Sony, cementing his status as a key influencer in New York's vibrant advertising & design industry.