Medieval History
In my last trip to France, I spent a day exploring the three Gothic churches in Rouen: St. Maclou, Rouen Cathedral and the Monastery St. Ouen. As the Catholic fervor that has defined and shaped the past millennia in France appears to be passing, the uses for religious spaces have changed.
The art historian inside me was interested to experience St. Ouen as an exhibit for contemporary art. Removable walls were placed before the walls in the church, with large photographs and canvases by a local artist. Lighting was hung to direct attention away from the architecture and toward the artwork. I could appreciate how a medieval space could be utilized in a current, living art exhibit. The art historian in me appreciated how old art and new art transformed the space.
But the medievalist in me was horrified. (It doesn't help that all of me did not like the artwork.) It felt as if the majestic space was...cheapened? But how else will these structures survive the 21st century? I'd certainly rather have art (even bad art) exhibited in medieval spaces over, say, a Starbucks or Nissan or something equally horrid.
What do you say? What is the future of medieval churches and cathedrals? To embrace the fast-paced, consumer culture of today's world, or preserve what remains of past times?
The exterior of the monastery church needed restoration badly. Will transforming the purpose of the building help preserve its past?
- Urgent Call For Repairs To Medieval Churches In Honing And Crostwight
An unusual series of medieval paintings depicting the seven deadly sins could be lost from the walls of All Saints Church at Crostwight near North Walsham unless £150,000 can be found to re thatch the leaky roof, re-render the walls and repair the exterior...
- Report Describes The State Of England's Cathedrals
English Heritage has unveiled the results of a major survey into the state of the nation's great cathedrals, whilst also highlighting three East of England cathedrals for undertaking striking projects in a new report. The English Heritage Cathedrals...
- Pope Speaks On The Inspirational Power Of Medieval Cathedrals And Art
Recalling the great European cathedrals of the Middle Ages, Pope Benedict XVI said that the contemplation of art and beauty offers a special way to commune with God. Today, at his weekly general audience in the Vatican's audience hall, the pope gave...
- Interviews, Part Iv
My dear friend Rachel was good enough to interview for this blog, and here are her responses! She has an MA in Art History, and wrote her thesis on Jordanian mosaics featuring the Messianic Age motif. She's a fantastic scholar, thorough and well-thought,...
- Interviews, Part Iii
My good friend Mollie Craig has kindly responded to the interview questions, posted below. I bet you didn't know there were Romanian medieval churches with exterior frescoes, did you? Mollie approaches Art History with an open mind and always has...
Medieval History
The future of medieval spaces
The art historian inside me was interested to experience St. Ouen as an exhibit for contemporary art. Removable walls were placed before the walls in the church, with large photographs and canvases by a local artist. Lighting was hung to direct attention away from the architecture and toward the artwork. I could appreciate how a medieval space could be utilized in a current, living art exhibit. The art historian in me appreciated how old art and new art transformed the space.
But the medievalist in me was horrified. (It doesn't help that all of me did not like the artwork.) It felt as if the majestic space was...cheapened? But how else will these structures survive the 21st century? I'd certainly rather have art (even bad art) exhibited in medieval spaces over, say, a Starbucks or Nissan or something equally horrid.
What do you say? What is the future of medieval churches and cathedrals? To embrace the fast-paced, consumer culture of today's world, or preserve what remains of past times?
- Urgent Call For Repairs To Medieval Churches In Honing And Crostwight
An unusual series of medieval paintings depicting the seven deadly sins could be lost from the walls of All Saints Church at Crostwight near North Walsham unless £150,000 can be found to re thatch the leaky roof, re-render the walls and repair the exterior...
- Report Describes The State Of England's Cathedrals
English Heritage has unveiled the results of a major survey into the state of the nation's great cathedrals, whilst also highlighting three East of England cathedrals for undertaking striking projects in a new report. The English Heritage Cathedrals...
- Pope Speaks On The Inspirational Power Of Medieval Cathedrals And Art
Recalling the great European cathedrals of the Middle Ages, Pope Benedict XVI said that the contemplation of art and beauty offers a special way to commune with God. Today, at his weekly general audience in the Vatican's audience hall, the pope gave...
- Interviews, Part Iv
My dear friend Rachel was good enough to interview for this blog, and here are her responses! She has an MA in Art History, and wrote her thesis on Jordanian mosaics featuring the Messianic Age motif. She's a fantastic scholar, thorough and well-thought,...
- Interviews, Part Iii
My good friend Mollie Craig has kindly responded to the interview questions, posted below. I bet you didn't know there were Romanian medieval churches with exterior frescoes, did you? Mollie approaches Art History with an open mind and always has...