All posts by tedleeeubanks

An Assertion of Beauty

Culture of Conservation, Fermata, Guerrilla Interpretation

Pope Benedict (at the time, Cardinal Ratzinger) wrote;

I have often affirmed my conviction that the true apology of Christian faith, the most convincing demonstration of its truth…are the saints and the beauty that the faith has generated.

If the Pope emeritus will allow me, I will slightly alter this statement. I believe that beauty of one of the most effective apologia for conservation.

Here is an example. One of the greatest risks from climate change is the loss of biodiversity. On this we all agree, I suspect. But, to the general public, biodiversity is a bone dry, antiseptic word stripped of emotion. The soul of biodiversity, such as its beauty, is what we reveal in our interpretation.

For the past seven years, I have been photographing the wildflowers of Central Texas (the Texas Hill Country). As of yesterday, there are now over 2000 portraits in the gallery, Texas Botanicals. 

One of my goals has been to use these portraits to show the beauty of this wildflower diversity that surrounds us, as well as its magnitude. I could write a narrative that explains the science behind this diversity (the geology, the geographical location, the evolution of this diversity, etc.), but my belief is that I should first capture the public’s imagination with the dramatic beauty of this aspect of biodiversity. To be blunt, an interpreter first needs an audience.

My plan is to develop a series of murals of these portraits that will frame the narrative. If the theme is about the wildflower diversity in the Texas Hill Country as a metaphor for biodiversity in general, I believe that we will best be served by framing that narrative within the breathtaking beauty of the flowers themselves.

Interpretation is an art as well as a science, and the beauty we interpret often opens doors that are otherwise shut to the science alone. Conservation needs those doors (those minds) to be open.

Flowers…are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Expanded View

Fermata, Photography, ,
Saint Louis King of France Chapel

Fermata often uses media to interpret what we know and see. However, there are times when a particular medium allows us to reveal aspects of a subject that were previously hidden, i.e., what we did not know and could not see.

Here is an example. We have been completing an interpretive brochure for Saint Louis KOF Catholic Church in Austin. The stained glass windows there were acquired from the Church of the Transfiguration in Philadelphia, now demolished. For the past decade, the windows have served Saint Louis as little more than architectural embellishments.

A few weeks ago, I spent two days atop an eight-foot ladder, photographing each window with an architectural lens. Now that we can study each window and pane in detail, we have realized the extraordinary detail contained within each illustration. This detail cannot be seen from the ground level.

Pentecost

Here is an example. This is one pane that shows the Pentecost. Notice the “tongues of fire” descending on Mary and the Apostles. That is the sort of detail that we can now interpret that before was virtually invisible to those visiting the chapel. Here is a link to a gallery of images of these stunningly beautiful windows:

https://www.tedleeeubanksphotography.com/Churches-and-Sacred-Spaces/Saint-Louis-King-of-France-Master

This is an example of how a medium can expand our interpretive vision and opportunities. Now that the photography is complete, the priests are eager to study each pane and to help interpret their meanings and context (how they relate to each other). None of this would have been possible without the detailed views afforded by this medium.

Fermata has been interpreting churches and sacred spaces for several years, and recently we have focused on the Catholic Church in Texas. In addition to developing a presentation on the history of the Catholic  Church in Texas, we have written a history of Saint Mary Cathedral, photographed the Painted Churches in central Texas, and we are now working on a brochure that will interpret these amazing Zettler windows at Saint Louis KOF.  For more information about our interpretive work with churches and sacred spaces, contact us and let us see if we can help.

Our Austin Story Awards

Fermata
Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Preserving History

The Downtown Austin Alliance and partners, Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Fermata Inc., were selected by The Texas Historical Commission as this year’s recipients of the Award of Excellence in Preserving History!

The award recognizes achievements in preservation planning, historic site identification, or research that leads to a greater understanding of state or local history. It is an honor to have “Our Austin Story”, a project focused on the heritage of Austin’s four historic squares and Congress Avenue, be recognized for documenting the stories that shaped these important civic spaces and offering a framework for celebrating, expressing and growing with respect for Austin’s diverse heritage.

Our Austin Story was commissioned by the Downtown Austin Alliance, in partnership with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD). Fermata developed the strategy as the lead consultant on the project.

In addition, the Austin City Council proclaimed January 31, 2019, to be “Our Austin Story Day.” The proclamation congratulated us for recently receiving the Texas Historical Commission preservation planning award, and for bringing these important Austin histories to the attention of the public. Thanks to Council Members Kathie Tovo and Leslie Pool for their help in arranging for this honor.

Fermata’s President Ted Lee Eubanks

The Wonder of Place

Fermata

Doug Stienstra, a student at the Austin Film School, interviewed me a few weeks ago for a SXSW project. This short film (around 4 minutes), the Wonder of Place, effectively captures some of the philosophy behind my life’s work. Thanks to Doug for putting together a film that gets to the heart of what I believe. I look forward to seeing this at SXSW.

The Wonder of Place – Short Documentary from Doug S on Vimeo.




https://vimeo.com/310990391

Open the Door

Fermata
Saint Mary Church, High Hill, Texas by Ted Lee Eubanks

The Texas Real Places 2019 conference is fast approaching. Sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission, the conference will be held next week in the Sheraton Austin hotel. I will be speaking on the interpretation of churches and sacred spaces on Thursday, January 17. My session, titled “Open the Door – Interpreting Churches and Sacred Spaces,” will be held in Capitol Salon BC, 3rd Floor, from 11:15 to 12:30. I hope that you can join me for this fascinating topic!