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12:24 Jan 2, 2012
Spanish to English translations [PRO] Architecture
Spanish term or phrase:gravidez
Hello. From an article about the contemporary architecture of a particular studio, Mexico, referring to a building that, according to the author, is reminiscent of an El Lissitzkly structure. I have come across this rather strange use of the term 'gravidez':
"En la memoria queda la torre Wolkenbugel de El Lissitzky, quizá el único proyecto constructivista en que la gravidez y la estructura están más presentes que la idealización de un nuevo lenguaje arquitectónico."
Explanation: Tampoco tiene mucho sentido para mí la elección del término "gravidez". Lo más cercano posible que se me ocurre es "pesadez". Ojalá te ayude
Explanation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Lissitzky - Traducir esta página
2.1 Suprematism; 2.2 Proun; 2.3 Return to Germany; 2.4 Horizontal skyscrapers. 3 Exhibitions of the 1920s; 4 Later years; 5 Legacy; 6 Notes; 7 References ...; In 1923–1925 El Lissitzky proposed and developed the idea of horizontal skyscrapers (Wolkenbügel, "cloud-irons"). A series of eight such structures was intended to mark the major intersections of the Boulevard Ring in Moscow. Each Wolkenbügel was a flat three-story, 180-meter-wide L-shaped slab raised 50 meters above street level. It rested on three pylons (10×16×50 meters each), placed on three different street corners.
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I haven't found a direct match, but I'm going on what I know of El Lissitzky's work. His designs for the Wolkenbugel were based on his belief that human movement through space was naturally horizontal rather than vertical. His objective was actually to overcome gravity, so a direct translation wouldn't make any sense to me here. I agree with you that it is a curious use of the word. Perhaps the best thing to do in this case would be to query the author.
Jenni Lukac Local time: 03:53 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 68
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your help, Jenni. Have you found any evidence that 'gravidez' is used with this meaning? I can't see the connection.
Explanation: I think it comes down to this. The term "gravidez" simply means the abstract quality of having weight (apart from being a technical term for pregnancy, which I really don't think is relevant here, even figuratively). The contrast being drawn is between the physical presence, the solidity and materiality, of the structure versus the ideal conceptual form of constructivist design. This is also expressed in their title: the insubstantiality of "Wolken" (clouds) versus the solid, weighty "Bügel" (literally "stirrup"). These buildings of El Lissitsky are emphatically there: they have weight. Indeed, their peculiar top-heavy shape makes them seem to weight down on the viewer.
"Grávido" also carries implications of fullness and abundance. I think "weight", with its connotations of "importance", is the best bet. I'm tempted by "weightiness" also, and that's a possible alternative, and a freer approach might be "solidity". However, I think "weight and structure" is best.
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I think the author used the term "gravidez" rather than "peso" (or even "pesadez") because he/she was referring to the fact of having weight rather than being heavy.
By the standards of the kind of language art critics regularly come out with, I wouldn't say this term is outstandingly bizarre.
Charles Davis Local time: 03:53 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 52
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Alexander Rodchenko, "Composition 86: Destiny & Gravity" (1919). El Lissitzky
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