Walking in Gaudí’s Footsteps
Antoni Gaudí/(1852-1926)/devoted his life to the Sagrada Família.// In the following interview,/Sotoo Etsuro,/the chief sculptor,/talks about his experiences.//
1
You are now a world-famous sculptor,/but did you want to become one/when you were young?//
　　I graduated from an art school/majoring in sculpture,/and became an art teacher.// In those days,/I didn’t know/what I really wanted to do.// One day,/I was driving/and saw a pile of construction stones.// It may sound strange,/but I heard my inner voice say,/“I want to carve stones.”//
　　I quit my job/and decided to go to Europe.// I had only a little money with me,/but I never asked,/“What if this doesn’t work out?”//

Did you go straight to Barcelona?//
　　No, I went to Paris first,/but I felt/there was no place for me.// The whole city was so solidly built.// It was as if you couldn’t touch anything.// I hopped onto a train for Barcelona.//
　　I arrived late in the evening.// I walked out of the station,/and found myself on a street/lined with bars.// I still remember/the taste of the sardines, tomatoes, and wine/I had that night.// Although I hardly understood Spanish or Catalan,/the simple food and warm atmosphere/made me feel at home.//