Albert Grau: “At Gaudí Experiència translations are extremely important”

Gaudí Experiència, just a five-minute walk from Park Güell, features a new audiovisual exhibit space that offers a new way to learn about Gaudí and his work in three ways: interactive walls for adults and children, models of the architect’s work, and a 4D audiovisual projection. All of these elements combine to make the visit a unique experience. But who is behind this great project and even better idea? Our Ontranslation interview today features Albert Grau, the managing director of Gaudí Experiència, who gives us the highlights of this project.

Age: 51

Profession: producer

Languages: Catalan, Spanish, English and basic French

The interview: Ontranslation has translated materials for Gaudí Experiència into 9 different languages, so we’re frequently in touch with Albert Grau, who kindly agreed to answer to our questions in a phone interview. Don’t miss what he has to say and, above all, we encourage you to visit this space!

How would you introduce yourself to our blog readers?

I’m very determined and really enjoy launching new projects. I’ve devoted my life to developing projects in music, television and culture.

Where did the idea for Gaudí Experiència come from?

Gaudí Experiència is the result of an idea that came to the former owners of Gestmusic. They knew the space and thought that, given its location very close to Parc Güell, it would be perfect for something focusing on Gaudí.

For those who haven’t been yet, how would you define Gaudí Experiència? What is it exactly?

Gaudí Experiència is a space devoted to Antonio Gaudí, which aims to explain his work in two separate ways: first of all, we have a theatre with a 4D audiovisual projection and, then, an area with walls of interactive screens featuring detailed information on Gaudí’s life and work, as well as two models: one of Parc Güell and the other of Hotel Attraction in NY.

Have you had any help from experts in verifying the historical accuracy of the project?

Yes. We contacted an expert documentary maker and the Gaudí Chair, who helped us with the interactive walls and their contents.

Is there anything we don’t know about the life and work of Antonio Gaudí that now, thanks to this project, we can discover?

There’s really nothing new to discover about Gaudí that we don’t already know but this space is a great help in learning about his work. However, we do have some particularly interesting models, like that of Hotel Attraction, a skyscraper hotel that Gaudí designed for the city of New York but was never built.

Do you think audiovisual elements are becoming an increasingly important part of exhibits in our society that could be called hypertechnological?

Yes, absolutely. Visual elements help us understand any artistic concept exhibited in a museum, and children now co-exist with these technological devices from the day they are born, so we have to adapt. It seems like today’s children were born knowing how they work…

How has the public reacted? What would you say they like best about this space?

Undoubtedly, what visitors like best is the 4D audiovisual film, because it is very attractive and unique. Apart from that, it depends on each person’s interests. Some people stay 10 minutes, some 2 hours. In any case, there has been a very warm reception from the public, as we’ve seen in the surveys!

Do you have many local visitors or are they mostly tourists from other countries? Do you think Gaudí Experiència is a good way to attract foreigners?

So far, there have been more visitors from abroad than from here at home coming to Gaudí Experiència. National tourists only make up 20% of the visits, so we get a lot more foreigners. Most come from France, by quite a difference. They are followed by those from Italy, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States, in that order.

I think this space is a good introduction to Gaudí’s work in a way that is easy to understand. We even get visitors from schools abroad because it really helps teachers introduce his work to their students!

Are languages and translations important to a project like this?

Yes, of course. With 80% of our visitors from abroad, languages and translations are extremely important.

Have you ever used a translation agency, translator, interpreter, etc.?

Yes, both the website and the interactive walls at Gaudí Experiència are translated into 9 languages, not to mention the flyers.