That's actually funny - because as much as I love Mont Saint Michel, and however beautiful I think it is, I went there with an ex-boyfriend (then-boyfriend), and we spent the entire afternoon bickering, and I'll probably associate the place with him forever. Though I do have some fond memories of him, so I don't suppose that's all bad.
*nods* See I have these experiences as well. Thankfully not with this place, but the rather lovely city of Beaune in France was destroyed by the fact that I stayed there with someone I now label ex-friend.
Then again other cities and places have been vastly improved by travelling companions - so it has its ups and downs.
WHat a stunning place - I am absolutely in love with it! It reminds me of Holy Island here though the latter is not as spectacular. We went there last year and I was duly impressed!
As to emotional experience - I really understand, in fact I think that things that we like (and don't like) affect as to a small or large degree ALWAYS. For me Dostoyevky's books were probably the most influential works of art up to this date..
Oooh! I know Lindisfarne. It was raided by Vikings you know, so it get quite a bit of mention in Norwegian schoolbooks. ;) Also in England there St. Michael's mount down in Cornwall. That is an tidal island as well.But I have never been there so I have no idea what it is like. But I would love to go both there and to Lindisfarne.
But Mont St. Michel is simply wonderful. It feels a bit like a fairytale.
I think that things that we like (and don't like) affect as to a small or large degree ALWAYS.
Yes, this is my impression as well. We need to read the book at a good time, or listen to a song at the proper moment. I guess it all boils down to that you cannot force an art experience- simply because it is made up of all those little things you can ever foresee.
I wish I had a ready answer to your question, other than "The Last Samurai," which is probably an odd book by which be inspired into something so visceral. I will think on it.
I know! I walked around in a daze my entire time there. And the best part was that it was rather desolate on account of being February. It was also windy and cold, and so I would sit inside this half-way-closed-for-winter-cafe and drink large amounts of hot chocolate.I know it sounds a bit pompous - but Mont St. Michel made me wish I could write.
And "The Last samurai" is love - and also a good answer. For me that book also came with the added bonus of getting me interested in Kurosawa. And "If this was a real sword you would be dead now."
I know I read some books when I was little while eating a brownie and an apple (different books), and then whenever I reread them I'd think of eating that food when I reached a certain passage, but now I can't remember what books they were.
I think I already mentioned how I first read A Game of Thrones while recovering from surgery. Even though the second try was more successful and got me to read the sequels, I still have to remind myself not to touch the series if I'm feeling the least bit grumpy or in pain, because otherwise the books suddenly transform before my eyes so that they seem like they're deliberately dragging on and throwing in extra sideplots, description, and cliffhangers just to spite me and make me feel even more down. Which is not the association I would have chosen :( (This association doesn't last when I'm in a better mood, fortunately.)
There aren't enough covered bridges in the world. Of this I'm certain. ;)
otherwise the books suddenly transform before my eyes
Yes, that's the downside about reminiscence - it is not always positive. I have the same problem with Raymond Feist's books (you know "Magician" etc.) They are not bad books as such, but I read them during a slightly depressing time in my life and now they are somehow tainted with that memory.
I’ve been to see the Sistine Chapel a few times after that - and I’ve had the pleasure of viewing it at my own pace. It is indeed a magnificent work of art - but it has never "wowed" me.
I've not seen it in the flesh, but can imagine experiencing the same thing. It doesn't seem a very mysterious piece of art.
I think those photos of Mon St. Michel are impressive because there's of obstruction, overlap, nooks and crannies, etc. There's a lot unseen, but hinted enough at to play on the mind.
You need some vagueness and blurring to let the abstract emotions leak out, so to speak. Especially religious art, which is supposed to get us in touch with the intangible ethereal plane and whatnot.
So technically cruder art can sometimes be more effective. Though of course technique is not the same thing as the mastery of the artist over their chosen medium.
There's a lot unseen, but hinted enough at to play on the mind.
I love this idea, and I think there is a lot of truth in it. I also think you've touched upon something that I love about all medieval art - that sense of mystery and hidden space. One of my favourite aspects of the Gothic Cathedrals are how the ceiling rises so high you can barely make it out its details, and the result is this huge room which the human mind cannot fully grasp and that therefore appear as slightly esoteric. If that makes sense
( ... )
something that I love about all medieval art - that sense of mystery and hidden space. One of my favourite aspects of the Gothic Cathedrals are how the ceiling rises so high you can barely make it out its details, and the result is this huge room which the human mind cannot fully grasp and that therefore appear as slightly esoteric. If that makes sense?
Ooh, totally! What we can't grasp is what art is all about.
Medieval religious music is pretty amazing from what little I know of it. Choral music by composers like Hildegard von Bingen is so ethereal and minimalist, it sounds more like music from the future than the past. Or from another planet, even :-)
And I suppose it was the huge echoy acoustic of those big cathedrals that first made such music possible. Structures with a reaaaallllly long acoustic delay were probably where humans first heard harmony.
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These pictures, by the way, are gorgeous.
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Then again other cities and places have been vastly improved by travelling companions - so it has its ups and downs.
And yay for Morrisey. My youth in an icon. Hee.
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As to emotional experience - I really understand, in fact I think that things that we like (and don't like) affect as to a small or large degree ALWAYS. For me Dostoyevky's books were probably the most influential works of art up to this date..
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But Mont St. Michel is simply wonderful. It feels a bit like a fairytale.
I think that things that we like (and don't like) affect as to a small or large degree ALWAYS.
Yes, this is my impression as well. We need to read the book at a good time, or listen to a song at the proper moment. I guess it all boils down to that you cannot force an art experience- simply because it is made up of all those little things you can ever foresee.
Reply
I wish I had a ready answer to your question, other than "The Last Samurai," which is probably an odd book by which be inspired into something so visceral. I will think on it.
Reply
And "The Last samurai" is love - and also a good answer. For me that book also came with the added bonus of getting me interested in Kurosawa. And "If this was a real sword you would be dead now."
Reply
I know I read some books when I was little while eating a brownie and an apple (different books), and then whenever I reread them I'd think of eating that food when I reached a certain passage, but now I can't remember what books they were.
I think I already mentioned how I first read A Game of Thrones while recovering from surgery. Even though the second try was more successful and got me to read the sequels, I still have to remind myself not to touch the series if I'm feeling the least bit grumpy or in pain, because otherwise the books suddenly transform before my eyes so that they seem like they're deliberately dragging on and throwing in extra sideplots, description, and cliffhangers just to spite me and make me feel even more down. Which is not the association I would have chosen :( (This association doesn't last when I'm in a better mood, fortunately.)
Reply
otherwise the books suddenly transform before my eyes
Yes, that's the downside about reminiscence - it is not always positive. I have the same problem with Raymond Feist's books (you know "Magician" etc.) They are not bad books as such, but I read them during a slightly depressing time in my life and now they are somehow tainted with that memory.
Reply
I've not seen it in the flesh, but can imagine experiencing the same thing. It doesn't seem a very mysterious piece of art.
I think those photos of Mon St. Michel are impressive because there's of obstruction, overlap, nooks and crannies, etc. There's a lot unseen, but hinted enough at to play on the mind.
You need some vagueness and blurring to let the abstract emotions leak out, so to speak. Especially religious art, which is supposed to get us in touch with the intangible ethereal plane and whatnot.
So technically cruder art can sometimes be more effective. Though of course technique is not the same thing as the mastery of the artist over their chosen medium.
Reply
I love this idea, and I think there is a lot of truth in it. I also think you've touched upon something that I love about all medieval art - that sense of mystery and hidden space. One of my favourite aspects of the Gothic Cathedrals are how the ceiling rises so high you can barely make it out its details, and the result is this huge room which the human mind cannot fully grasp and that therefore appear as slightly esoteric. If that makes sense ( ... )
Reply
Ooh, totally! What we can't grasp is what art is all about.
Medieval religious music is pretty amazing from what little I know of it. Choral music by composers like Hildegard von Bingen is so ethereal and minimalist, it sounds more like music from the future than the past. Or from another planet, even :-)
And I suppose it was the huge echoy acoustic of those big cathedrals that first made such music possible. Structures with a reaaaallllly long acoustic delay were probably where humans first heard harmony.
Reply
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