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#3 Lost-wax Process
Grace Cathedral doors and entry.
This is just one panel of the bronze replicas of the Ghiberti doors at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. These 3D panels were created using the lost-wax process that we have been learning about. I went there today after finally going to see the Chihuly exhibit put off due to an eye injury. I decided to go across town to see Grace as I'd always wanted to go. Some people don't seem impressed with the fact that there is a gothic-style cathedral in San Francisco. It may be reinforced concrete but they remained true to the gothic style. The doors may be replicated but just look, they're very beautiful. I've been inside 11th century gothic cathedrals in Europe. They're impressive but they have almost a thousand years of wear and tear. The ceilings are soot stained from a thousand years of candles. And, imagine, if you will, the smell of a thousand years of people. People who thought bathing was only something the evil Romans did. Don't get me wrong, there is definately an energy there but in Grace you can almost imagine what those people saw when the cathedral was brand new. It is awe-inspiring. Here is an URL with thumbnails you can click on to see the panels: http://www.gracecathedral.org/content/arts/ghiberti/left_frame.html
Grace Cathedral doors and entry.
This is just one panel of the bronze replicas of the Ghiberti doors at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. These 3D panels were created using the lost-wax process that we have been learning about. I went there today after finally going to see the Chihuly exhibit put off due to an eye injury. I decided to go across town to see Grace as I'd always wanted to go. Some people don't seem impressed with the fact that there is a gothic-style cathedral in San Francisco. It may be reinforced concrete but they remained true to the gothic style. The doors may be replicated but just look, they're very beautiful. I've been inside 11th century gothic cathedrals in Europe. They're impressive but they have almost a thousand years of wear and tear. The ceilings are soot stained from a thousand years of candles. And, imagine, if you will, the smell of a thousand years of people. People who thought bathing was only something the evil Romans did. Don't get me wrong, there is definately an energy there but in Grace you can almost imagine what those people saw when the cathedral was brand new. It is awe-inspiring. Here is an URL with thumbnails you can click on to see the panels: http://www.gracecathedral.org/content/arts/ghiberti/left_frame.html
1 comment:
There is indeed something magical about walking into a cathedral! There is a story I heard about an artist who was carving and painting a bird on the upside of a beam during the building of such a cathedral. The funny thing is that due to the placement of the art piece it was impossible for any one to ever see the art work. When asked why he was doing is art in a place where no one could see it he replied, "God see's it".One of the reasons the Cathedrals are as beautiful as they are is because the artisans did their work as unto the Lord. They did not neccesarilly do it for man's enjoyment. This view can definitely change the turn out of a project dont you think? In response to the same story it is said that Cathedrals could not be built in todays world because people are too careless and motivated by material possessions versus honoring God with their abilities.
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