On a tour of Mississippi's State Capitol, writer and ecologist Christopher Norment considers "the complicated nexus between...what we choose to remember, and what we choose to forget."
Lauren and Christopher - Hey, Elizabeth Robinson glass girl here. Loved reading this article and have a great visual of the visit with the Docent at the State Capitol. I am currently project managing (PRGS) the restoration of the stained glass skylight in the House of Reps, State Capitol. This large project has been undertaken by Pearl River Glass Studio. Andy and his team also restored the three windows that Christopher speaks about in this article (2014). Even though this current skylight is decorative and not figurative, it would be great to have both of you come to studio to see the project in process. And, since PRGS does a considerable amount of the figurative stained glass work in the state of MS (predominantly church windows), we could talk about what Andy has seen in his (as of this year) 50 years of business in the art glass world. Drop me a note and let’s set up a visit, if of interest: elizabeth@spirithouseglass.com
I asked this same question to our Capitol architectural expert when I was in my Leadership Greater Jackson class in 2009. There is no good answer to this question except racism!
This is an important essay, beautifully written (and photographed!). I love the analogy about the musical rests - we should all pay more attention to the gaps between, the lacunae, the negative spaces. I wish I were still teaching so I could have all my students read this!
Chris mentioned that a former colleague of his will be using this essay in his college course this semester. I agree that it would be very valuable for students!
Elegantly phrased, carefully thought out, and perhaps architectural wouldn't be inappropriate. Still, must every reflection on memory and the past in Mississippi include that particular Faulkner phrase? Norment seems quite capable of delivering original observations on history and memory--in fact, he has--yet for some inexplicable reason he seems to feel obliged to drag out that shopworn trope.
You know, I thought long and hard about whether to include that Faulkner quote, given that it is a "shopworn trope." But I'd recently read Michael Gorra's "The Saddest Words," and they - and their spirit - featured prominently in the book. So I went with the quote.
Lauren and Christopher - Hey, Elizabeth Robinson glass girl here. Loved reading this article and have a great visual of the visit with the Docent at the State Capitol. I am currently project managing (PRGS) the restoration of the stained glass skylight in the House of Reps, State Capitol. This large project has been undertaken by Pearl River Glass Studio. Andy and his team also restored the three windows that Christopher speaks about in this article (2014). Even though this current skylight is decorative and not figurative, it would be great to have both of you come to studio to see the project in process. And, since PRGS does a considerable amount of the figurative stained glass work in the state of MS (predominantly church windows), we could talk about what Andy has seen in his (as of this year) 50 years of business in the art glass world. Drop me a note and let’s set up a visit, if of interest: elizabeth@spirithouseglass.com
What a kind invitation! I love the work y'all do--a behind the scenes visit would be fun!
Hi Elizabeth - Thanks, and I would love to visit the studio and meet with you and Andy! I'll reach out to Lauren, too.
I asked this same question to our Capitol architectural expert when I was in my Leadership Greater Jackson class in 2009. There is no good answer to this question except racism!
This is an important essay, beautifully written (and photographed!). I love the analogy about the musical rests - we should all pay more attention to the gaps between, the lacunae, the negative spaces. I wish I were still teaching so I could have all my students read this!
Chris mentioned that a former colleague of his will be using this essay in his college course this semester. I agree that it would be very valuable for students!
This is as powerful - and painful and poignant - a perspective of the real Mississippi as I have ever read. And truthful. Thank you for posting.
Elegantly phrased, carefully thought out, and perhaps architectural wouldn't be inappropriate. Still, must every reflection on memory and the past in Mississippi include that particular Faulkner phrase? Norment seems quite capable of delivering original observations on history and memory--in fact, he has--yet for some inexplicable reason he seems to feel obliged to drag out that shopworn trope.
You know, I thought long and hard about whether to include that Faulkner quote, given that it is a "shopworn trope." But I'd recently read Michael Gorra's "The Saddest Words," and they - and their spirit - featured prominently in the book. So I went with the quote.