During the past three years, I have photographed several buildings designed by Santiago Calatrava. I discovered his work accidentally when I visited the transportation hub in New York City. Since then, I have sought out his other projects in Europe. I suspect that his work can be divisive, but enjoy his combinations of architecture, art, and whimsy. They almost always present multiple photographic interpretations. When I discovered that he designed the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, I immediately started planning a trip.

There are four structures in this image. The closest structure is L'Hemisfèric (an Imax theater) and is meant to resemble a large eye. The next structure is the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, a science museum with a bone-like exterior. The Assut de l'Or Bridge is the third structure with the final building being L'Àgora, a concert and event hall. All are different in size and shape, yet from this angle, they blend together into one piece. Add in the pools of water that surround much of the project and a creature emerges, rising from the depths.

I hoped to photograph the structures at night, as Calatrava often illuminates them in interesting ways. I positioned myself on a bridge overlooking the area, as the elevated view better revealed the wonderful reflections. The water is shallow and choppy during even mild winds, but the dark scene allowed me to soften it with a long exposure. The dynamic range of light in the scene was more than my camera sensor could process. As a result, I blended this long exposure with both a regular exposure and an under-exposed image (for the very bright lights).

More to come from Valencia & Calatrava...here are links to my interpretations of his other designs.

Golden Sentinel

Skeleton Key

Baleen

The Opera House (officially named Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía) is a magnificent structure by architect Santiago Calatrava. It is one of several modern & unique architectural designs that comprise the City of Arts & Sciences in Valencia, Spain.

I was not able to go inside during my visit, as part of it was being renovated and entry was only allowed for those with event tickets. However, I did walk around the building several times admiring the lines & curves and wondering how Calatrava dreamt up such a structure.

It is completely colorless on the outside...only blacks, whites and shades of gray can be found. As a result, I expected that if I did capture a perspective that I liked, it would best be suited as a Black & White image. But something unexpected happened one evening as I was waiting for sunset...the monochrome facade transformed into complementary colors!

For a brief period, the setting sun was low enough on the horizon to shine golden light on the underside of the exposed roof, where it was reflected in some parts of the interior. There were no clouds in the sky, so it remained mostly blue in the direction I was facing and cast down its hue on the normally white exterior. I was in the position I had scouted earlier in the day and was able to capture the conversion as it happened.

I don't know if Calatrava designed this building to have this effect, but if he did, he deserves even more accolades. I suspect he did not, as I have not seen a similar image posted online with these color characteristics. I think it was a combination of the correct time of year, time of day & weather conditions that allowed it to occur.

Then again, perhaps Calatrava is a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Remember that scene where Indiana Jones is in the ruins holding the staff? At the correct time, the sun shines through the hole in the roof, hits the gemstone and reveals the location of the Ark...makes you wonder.