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.
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:
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.
