Renowned photographer A. J. Meek takes the novitiate on an inspired visual journey with eighty-eight color photographs of the interiors of churches and synagogues located in south Louisiana; mostly along the lower Mississippi River valley. Tourists may crowd the famous European cathedrals such as Notre Dame in Paris and Westminster Abbey in London. Yet the splendors of local churches in America all too often remain cloistered and unheralded. Meeks beautiful photographs correct this oversight for Louisiana; a state that features a great many beautiful and long-standing holy places.Often incorporating long exposures and select framing; the images in the first section of Sacred Light encompass altars; chancels; and sanctuaries. The second section contains photographs of statues representing deities; angels; madonnas; and saints; often seen with intense color derived from stained-glass windows or artificial light. Light itself is the subject of the third and last section. In several photographs; light is transformed by a window into a kaleidoscope of color on a wooden pew or pulpit chair. Other times the light seems to radiate a living presence of its own. Additionally; the book includes an essay by Louisiana State University art historian and liturgical space consultant; Marchita Mauck.Sacred Light also contains photographs of some of the church and synagogue restoration projects after Hurricane Katrina. Meek relates that the now-famous storm of August 2005 was the shadow he was looking for that defines blessed light. He places emphasis on restoration; not destruction; as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.
#2491786 in eBooks 2011-04-11 2011-04-11File Name: B004XY9QKO
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Truly Amazing and One of a Kind.By Fairbanks Reader - Bonnie BrodyThis is a most unusual book comprised of exactly what the title says - Astounding Knits. Their definition of whats included in the book is as follows: "It could be something big...It could be something small...It could be unprecedented...It could be kooky. In others. its all about the idea behind the knitting. as in Reknits recycled sweater campaign.Their are miniature knits that can fit on the head of a pin. In Dallas. some knitter knit a yellow road line that is .36 miles long. There is a story about the largest knitting project ever undertaken: "nearly 100.000 squares huge. using countless yards of yarn. all as part of a 2007 campaign to raise awareness of the 1.1 billion people worldwide who do not have access to drinking water." There is a gingerbread house knit in life size. There are knitted buildings with "all the makings of a lifelike miniature city." "Wondering what to do with ten months of your time and 12 miles of yarn? How about knitting a car? How about knitting the car to end all cars - a Ferrari Testarossa with a bit of the F355 thrown in for good measure?" Someone knit a cozy for a REAL motorcycle. There is a knitted seder and a knitted sushi dinner. Someone knit a skeleton of the human body. Someone else knit lungs.I think you get the idea. This is a book of 101 unusual. astounding projects that have all been knit. Its amazing to me that someone could even come up with the idea to make half of these things. Its bound to get looks of amazement and huge belly laughs when you look at it. All is all. its a one of a kind piece.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A "Believe It or Not!" Book for KnittersBy Lynne E.This is a "Believe It or Not!" book for knitters. and its a lot of fun. Basically. its a book about oddball knitting projects. with each project described in a few paragraphs and illustrated with photos. Many projects will be familiar to long-time knitting enthusiasts. such as Debbie News knitted teacups. Althea Cromes miniature masterpiece sweaters. Jan Messents knitted gardens. and Lauren Porters full-size knitted Ferrari. Others may be less familiar. such as Gelatins giant rabbit (viewable from space). Jimini Hignetts knitted body parts. Gayle Roehms knitted Faberge egg. Inga Hamiltons crocheted reefs. and Merel Karhofs scarves knitted by windmills.The book illustrates the incredible creativity of artists who knit. as well as the amazing range of possibilities that exist for creating knitted objects and garments. There are only a few patterns. although these include instructions for a penguin sweater (used in zoos). and an "origami" crane for peace. This is a must-have book for any serious knitter/artist. as a source of inspiration and of information on whats already been done. It is also a great gift for any moderately dedicated knitter. as pure. delightful. entertainment.For another recent book on knitting oddball stuff (things like urban light pole and bicycle rack covers) that includes some patterns and technical how-to info. check out Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting KnittingBy Eleanor KentWonderful collection of interesting kinds of knitting. Needles ranged from pins to telephone poles. Mathematical figures in 2-D and 3-D.
