Visions of Space

2003

Documentary

Robert Hughes tackles the work and lives of three remarkable 20th-century architects: Albert Speer, Mies van der Rohe, and Antonio Gaudi - whose work did so much to shape the modern world. Hughes looks at how each one used space in different ways to express our response, respectively, to the power of religion (Gaudi), the power of the State (Speer), and the power of the corporation (Mies van der Rohe).

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Language

Status

Returning Series

First Aired

February 5, 2003

Last Aired

February 19, 2003

Networks

BBC Four

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Antoni Gaudi: God's Architect

Air date: 2003-02-05

Hughes examines the legend of Antoni Gaudi, whose buildings have left an indelible mark on the city of Barcelona. Despite his austerely religious lifestyle, Gaudi's innovative genius created some of the most soulful and expressive buildings ever seen.

Albert Speer: Size Matters

Air date: 2003-02-12

In 1979 Robert Hughes met and interviewed Hitler's architect, Albert Speer, for his landmark series, Shock of the New. Speer died shortly afterwards but in 2002, Hughes discovered the long-lost tape of that conversation and was inspired to travel back to Germany to examine the legacy of a man who was, for a brief period, the most powerful architect in the world.

Mies van der Rohe: Less Is More

Air date: 2003-02-19

Hughes analyses the work of Mies van der Rohe, the master of light and space who had an enormous influence on modern architecture. In a journey spanning two continents, Hughes analyses his own contradictory reactions to Mies's work.