View allAll Photos Tagged optimism
Alle glücklichen Familien sind einander ähnlich; unglücklich ist jede Familie auf ihre eigene Art.
Leo Tolstoi
Imagine
- composites exploring the nature and sources of an intangible human ideal and associated verbs that transpire a symbiotic relationship... that is; both a source and a result of optimism.
To play is to live.
Detail of the Baptistry Window, a masterpiece of abstract stained glass designed by John Piper and executed by Patrick Reyntiens.
Coventry's Cathedral is a unique synthesis of old a new, born of wartime suffering and forged in the spirit of postwar optimism, famous for it's history and for being the most radically modern of Anglican cathedrals. Two cathedral's stand side by side, the ruins of the medieval building, destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1940 and the bold new building designed by Basil Spence and opened in 1962.
It is a common misconception that Coventry lost it's first cathedral in the wartime blitz, but the bombs actually destroyed it's second; the original medieval cathedral was the monastic St Mary's, a large cruciform building believed to have been similar in appearance to Lichfield Cathedral (whose diocese it shared). Tragically it became the only English cathedral to be destroyed during the Reformation, after which it was quickly quarried away, leaving only scant fragments, but enough evidence survives to indicate it's rich decoration (some pieces were displayed nearby in the Priory Visitors Centre, sadly since closed). Foundations of it's apse were found during the building of the new cathedral in the 1950s, thus technically three cathedrals share the same site.
The mainly 15th century St Michael's parish church became the seat of the new diocese of Coventry in 1918, and being one of the largest parish churches in the country it was upgraded to cathedral status without structural changes (unlike most 'parish church' cathedrals created in the early 20th century). It lasted in this role a mere 22 years before being burned to the ground in the 1940 Coventry Blitz, leaving only the outer walls and the magnificent tapering tower and spire (the extensive arcades and clerestoreys collapsed completely in the fire, precipitated by the roof reinforcement girders, installed in the Victorian restoration, that buckled in the intense heat).
The determination to rebuild the cathedral in some form was born on the day of the bombing, however it wasn't until the mid 1950s that a competition was held and Sir Basil Spence's design was chosen. Spence had been so moved by experiencing the ruined church he resolved to retain it entirely to serve as a forecourt to the new church. He envisaged the two being linked by a glass screen wall so that the old church would be visible from within the new.
Built between 1957-62 at a right-angle to the ruins, the new cathedral attracted controversy for it's modern form, and yet some modernists argued that it didn't go far enough, after all there are echoes of the Gothic style in the great stone-mullioned windows of the nave and the net vaulting (actually a free-standing canopy) within. What is exceptional is the way art has been used as such an integral part of the building, a watershed moment, revolutionising the concept of religious art in Britain.
Spence employed some of the biggest names in contemporary art to contribute their vision to his; the exterior is adorned with Jacob Epstein's triumphant bronze figures of Archangel Michael (patron of the cathedral) vanquishing the Devil. At the entrance is the remarkable glass wall, engraved by John Hutton with strikingly stylised figures of saints and angels, and allowing the interior of the new to communicate with the ruin. Inside, the great tapestry of Christ in majesty surrounded by the evangelistic creatures, draws the eye beyond the high altar; it was designed by Graham Sutherland and was the largest tapestry ever made.
However one of the greatest features of Coventry is it's wealth of modern stained glass, something Spence resolved to include having witnessed the bleakness of Chartres Cathedral in wartime, all it's stained glass having been removed. The first window encountered on entering is the enormous 'chess-board' baptistry window filled with stunning abstract glass by John Piper & Patrick Reyntiens, a symphony of glowing colour. The staggered nave walls are illuminated by ten narrow floor to ceiling windows filled with semi-abstract symbolic designs arranged in pairs of dominant colours (green, red, multi-coloured, purple/blue and gold) representing the souls journey to maturity, and revealed gradually as one approaches the altar. This amazing project was the work of three designers lead by master glass artist Lawrence Lee of the Royal College of Art along with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke (each artist designed three of the windows individually and all collaborated on the last).
The cathedral still dazzles the visitor with the boldness of it's vision, but alas, half a century on, it was not a vision to be repeated and few of the churches and cathedrals built since can claim to have embraced the synthesis of art and architecture in the way Basil Spence did at Coventry.
The cathedral is generally open to visitors most days. For more see below:-
Icecream stand open on a rainy, cold, winter night. The letters on the stand translate to "Hello enjoy your day".
large looks better: 'optimism' On Black
Poster responding to the theme of 'Optimism' this year's Brisbane Design Week.
For more details see the Eye Events page: blog.eyemagazine.com/?page_id=158
EXPLORE Dec 13, 2008 #375
You are valuable...not because of what you do or what you have done,but simply because YOU ARE.
She's my dearest sweet friend, Emma.
Thank you my dear friend for so many things, but mostly for being my friend.
:)
“Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.” Brian Tracy
motivationtoinspiration.blogspot.com/2018/11/optimism-ass...
#MotivationToInspiration #motivation #inspiration #motivate #inspire #positive #positivequotes #photooftheday #word #goodmorning #goodlife #leadership #opportunity #goals #tips #passion #happy #nice #values #peace #amen #instagood #success #journey #trust #focus #quotes #happiness #kindness #positivity
"Hemerocallis 'Optimism', 2016, Red Violet #Daylily, hem-ur -oh-KAL-iss, 23"" E-M D Re Fr #Perennial (Wild-G., 1998), USDA Hardiness Zone 3, 5.4"" red violet self , Bloom Month 7a, In Garden Bed V2.z07 for 2.9 years
Daylily Optimism - 23"" EM. Re. D. F. 5 3/8"" bloom. Lightly creped and ruffled medium red violet with light burgundy veining. Cream rib runs to green heart. Large star shaped flower. Fades.
#Hemerocallis"
Strobist info: Frankenstrobe 1/16th camera right through shoot-thru umbrella, reflector camera left directed to the subject. This one also reflects the hairlight: single Canon 430EXII high camera left behind subject at 1/16th. Third flash for the background (don't remember the settings.)
Marine Protected Area (MPA) Glam Shots is a project by artist, Jessica Ling Findley, combining retro glamour portraits with sea creatures thriving in Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to highlight successful human actions to help heal our oceans.
The Beauty of the Juvenile Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis )
Blacksmith are a fish that live above reefs. They make use of the turbulence above the reef to concentrate their food source, plankton. Blacksmith help control the population of many ecologically important species including other predators by eating larval plankton from mollusks (veligers including abalone larvae), crabs, and lobsters. Young blacksmith are very colorful until they reach around 2 inches in length. Upon reaching adulthood they turn blue-black and grow to about 12 inches in length.
About the Model:
Sarah Grossman is the Associate Director Special Events at The San Diego Museum of Art and an artist, who is concerned about single use plastics and the effect on the ocean and hopes we can all fight to reduce our usage and the effect they have on ocean life.
About the Artist:
Jessica Ling Findley is an Encinitas based artist with a focus on social practice and environmental advocacy. Her work playfully blurs spectator and participant, engaging the audience to explore. Her public participatory work, Aeolian Ride, inflated people on bicycles in 20 cities around the world. Exhibitions and awards include: Dublin Museum of Science, New Museum, Deitch Art Parade in NY, and SDAI, Tokyo Wondersite Residency, Brooklyn Arts Council Grant and Black Rock Arts Grant Foundation and Port of San Diego public art commission. www.jessicalingfindley.com
Project Origins:
Inspired by the world’s premier Ocean Sciences Meeting in February 2020, Seaport Village and The Port of San Diego have invited artist Jessica Ling Findley to produce a series of art experiences. She will help bring science to life through art at Seaport Village from December 2019 to February 2020. As ocean vitality becomes more critical with changing climate, these works, produced with input and data from scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium, explore how stories of Ocean Optimism can inspire us all to work together for a sustainable future. These immersive experiences invite audiences to think about the future of our oceans in new and creative ways.
Reference:
friendsoflajollashores.com/marinelife/blacksmith/#
www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/bl...
Ed Parnell, Associate Research Oceanographer, Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
St. Patrick's Day I spent about 2 hours down at Agesong. In that time, I didn't see Jean, but it was nevertheless productive, if not altogether buoying. Today, however, I have reason for some optimism. Day by day things change. I am tempted to cut to the chase for those of you wanting to know what the "net net" is, but I think it's important to outline the events as they happened because they help me -- and her friends -- understand Jean as she is evolving.
On Saturday, responding to a report that Jean was watching television in the day room across from her apartment at a time that annoyed a floor-mate, I brought over a 32 inch television that I purchased at a big box store. I had intended to bring the TV over sooner, but we (not the royal, but the collective "we") determined that getting her out and involved in the activities of the community was more important than her ability to watch television in her night gown.
I also brought her a phone. Not a cordless, programmable, bells-and-whistle phone. A plain princess phone, circa 1972. She forgets to replace cordless handsets. She gets freaked out by programmable numbers. Frankly, she doesn't even need a phone and has not asked once to make a call. It's one of those things that makes me feel better, not her.
Once the handyman delivered her new stuff, we sat down to talk with various members of the staff about Jean's progress. Robert, who has become her constant companion, was also there to offer his feedback. I have come to rely on his perspective; it is one that tempers the statements made by some Agesong staffers, who sometimes are prone to hyperbole. For instance, "she stays up late into the night" is clarified by Robert, who checks on her each morning with someone. No, she got BACK up once at 4am, but she typically goes to bed before 10. "She might leave in the middle of the night," is a fear spun of whole cloth, as Jean has never once even ventured downstairs alone. So it was good to have him there.
Robert has also become her companion, and someone she dearly cares for now. This would be great if we didn't have to pay him, but he has a job to do -- one we're already paying Agesong to do -- so we are now in the process of weaning her off Robert and hoping she'll make connections with the members of the center. In any case, his constant presence has been a comfort to Jean, and he has become her friend. And Robert has become my eyes and ears.
Jean has stopped demanding to go home or being angry about staying at Agesong. She thinks she is on an extended vacation in a hotel. She still asks when she will be moving home and whether she can get some boxes when the time comes, and Robert nods and then quickly changes the subject. She has no memory of the events that lead to her being there. In fact, Jean believes she drove herself to Agesong and sometimes asks where her car is, so she can drive home when the time comes. The "time", by the way, is usually "in about a week." She tells residents that she very much likes staying there, but will be going home "in about a week."
Jean recently went out on a drive with some other members. Most importantly, she came back! Frankly, I didn't ask enough about this activity to say more and wasn't listening to the description: I was focused on the fact that she actually came back!! You know, as in got-off-the-bus-and-got-back-on-the-bus. In my mind this is huge. She had a chance (albeit a slim one) to make a break for it and didn't seem interested. She's not missing her old life. Her house, maybe. Her life, not so much.
Robert takes her out for walks each day (I have ordered a new pair of shoes, as her feet are rubbing in the old ones). He also takes her to the activities printed on the calendar. Until today, he has had to come get her each morning for breakfast; she stays in her room until he arrives. At the activities, Jean is the outspoken star. Opera appreciation had Jean actively participating and dropping the knowledge we all know she has. At the book club, she was quite the erudite. She is so poised and together, that sometimes the staff forget that she has memory and confusion challenges. Furthering his goal to get Jean connected to the people in the community, Robert brings her to various activities and then slips away so she can forge new relationships. One of the staffers was quick to point out that whenever he leaves, Jean keeps a watchful eye on the door, waiting for him to return.
Recently, the community acted out a reading (an activity that happens with a fair degree of regularity). Jean's character was a judge and, according to Robert, she SEIZED control of that room, but not before letting everyone know exactly who my mother-in-law was. She seems to be -- if not thriving -- at least blossoming.
Both Robert and the staff are reporting that as the days go by, they see diminishing anxiety and anger, increasing participation, and most importantly, no depression whatsoever. In fact, they unilaterally agreed that anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are not necessary right now; her social interactions are doing precisely what we had hoped. Indeed, Robert said she no longer hallucinates John's presence. She is fully cognizant he is dead and certainly misses him, but no longer sees or talks to him.
I left Agesong on Saturday with some cautious optimism. Not wanting to spoil the ride, I didn't go see her notwithstanding one staffer's comment that she brags about "my daughter the lawyer." Robert seems to think her animosity toward me is fading, but not gone. That's good enough for me to leave her be.
We finally got 'round to visitors. Robert and the staffers believe she may be ready to have visitors. We will start with a visit this week from Glenn. Because of Jean's propensity to "Behave herself" around men, and because Jean believes Glenn and Robert are friends, and because one person can pick up Robert's diversion cues easier than a group, Glenn's the choice (nothing personal, folks). We'll be interested in Glenn's perspective on the matter and we'll share what we know.
Today, I got an early morning call from one of the staffers. On a whim, even though Robert wasn't there yet, she decided to go knock on Jean's door, just to say hello. Jean threw open the door, was fully dressed, and was headed downstairs on her own to have breakfast. Like the bus ride, this is huge! A self-directed decision to go downstairs and eat without anyone encouraging her is a big deal. We'll see what the evening brings. And the days to come.
And so we go with optimism that things will turn out OK. Soon.
(Self-portrait --Reflected in car-glass)
It was raining heavily for the past four days and cyclonic weather was reported.But in my city the bright sun came up this morning .I hope the slushy streets will be a little dry and we will be able to move out .
Tucked silk shantung sewn to T shirt material in the classic athletic gray. I then sewed silver beads along the edge of the tucks.
Optimism in an Arlington, VA, office building older than I am.
Taken with a Samsung S9 at its maximum resolution 4032x3024.