tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post3129091040582124641..comments2023-10-08T07:07:36.538-04:00Comments on Search the Sea: The Spaces We Inhabit, Part IGannet Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16374279595560691174noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-74485830344417117112009-01-13T07:53:00.000-05:002009-01-13T07:53:00.000-05:00This is marvelous-- thank you so much for taking t...This is marvelous-- thank you so much for taking the time to share these. I really enjoyed it.Dihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05501047587752329779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-48481911525809273282009-01-11T17:53:00.000-05:002009-01-11T17:53:00.000-05:00Your words are pictures in my mind. Thanks for the...Your words are pictures in my mind. Thanks for the descriptions. I'd missed Mrs. M's piece on space, and so I'm glad you linked to that, too.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061517211101084120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-79361401941976953422009-01-10T22:07:00.000-05:002009-01-10T22:07:00.000-05:00I can't help thinking of the Southern Baptist Chur...I can't help thinking of the Southern Baptist Church of my childhood. You entered through towering doors into a marble lobby with large, wide spiral staircases on either side. In between those doors, you entered the sanctuary, huge, carpeted, three sections of upholstered chairs with folding seats. I still remember the deep cranberry coloring of the upholstery. The sanctuary had "three" balconies. The first was actually a mezzanine. I remember the walls in a muted, soft blue tinged hue with impossibly tall windows draped in swagged cranberry drapes. Hanging from the ceiling was the largest crystal chandelier I have ever seen in my life to this day. Its bottom was lower than the top balcony.The pulpit was front and center on the podium and the ministerial staff sat in beautiful but not ornate upholstered wooden chairs of either cherry or mahogany. The choir loft was behind them, and behind them was the baptismal which was draped until it was being used. The space created a sense of smallness and security in the midst of formal, contemporary grandeur.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11641264346663533706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-51797803944532024092009-01-10T20:11:00.000-05:002009-01-10T20:11:00.000-05:00I could see those churches in my mind as you descr...I could see those churches in my mind as you described them. Some time ago you posted pictures of the Carmelite church so that was easiest.<BR/><BR/>My old parish had a classic 100yo church with astonishingly beautiful stained glass. My new church has no stained glass and very little art. I miss the art but love the semi-circle arrangement of pews around the altar; it makes you aware of community and builds a connection to those with whom you are worshiping.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for helping me clarify my thoughts on this.Kathryn Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16757414380685368592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-86706299974037819732009-01-10T18:37:00.000-05:002009-01-10T18:37:00.000-05:00Lately, we've been putting pictures and paintings ...Lately, we've been putting pictures and paintings back on the wall and it feels much better with just the few that we've already done. About 4 or so years ago, we'd cleared the walls while painting and hadn't bothered replacing them. The house had a slightly abandoned feel to it like noone could be bothered the attempt to beautify, essentially a metaphor for our inner struggles and family dynamics it would seem. Now it feels like an investment has been made and oddly, I feel some hope.<BR/><BR/>Reading your descriptions, I realized that I was always more drawn to and more comfortable in Catholic church buildings than I'd been in most Protestant ones. The latter generally felt too austere for my taste; the former had more art things and even, at times, weird architecture. I guess I have to admit that I'm more comfortable in a little mess rather than a sterile-looking environment. <BR/><BR/>MichAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13080538.post-57049581604254036032009-01-10T16:39:00.000-05:002009-01-10T16:39:00.000-05:00Space...so crucial as it can invite, discourage, i...Space...so crucial as it can invite, discourage, interrupt, soothe, among others. I am a big fan of creating a space which is open, expansive, and safe, for all who enter or even those who want to stand at the edge and look in.Elaine (aka...Purple) https://www.blogger.com/profile/09439199680556347830noreply@blogger.com