AMY MEISSNER
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The traveling eye 6: Reliquary

2/22/2015

5 Comments

 
"The eye has to travel."
          Diana Vreeland
The eye has to travel,
in order to discover what reverence means.

Not because we've been taught this in some church, or in some room, or by some one
and have since forgotten,
but because we are curious about the word. 

Reverence.

Amy Meissner, Reliquary series. From the post The traveling eye 6: Reliquary. www.amymeissner.com

The eye has to travel if one wonders how to instill reverence in the most ordinary things,
the object we step over or toss, 
the thing that in our constant seeing has become
          unseen.

The forgettable rock.
A bit of shell.
The unidentifiable bone.
Someone's cloth.   

Amy Meissner, Reliquary series. From the post The traveling eye 6: Reliquary. www.amymeissner.com

Does one build a vessel?  

Reliquary Chasse with the Adoration of the Magi. The British Museum, London (ca. 1200-30).
Reliquary Chasse with the Adoration of the Magi. The British Museum, London (ca. 1200–30).
Foot of one of the Holy Innocents. The Cathedral of Basel.
Foot of one of the Holy Innocents. The Cathedral of Basel.
Reliquary bust of a female saint (c. 1520-30) possibly made in Brussels, Belgium. Metropolitan Museum of Art -- The Cloisters Collection.
Reliquary bust of a female saint (c. 1520-30) possibly made in Brussels, Belgium. Metropolitan Museum of Art -- The Cloisters Collection.
Susan Danis, Cart. www.susandanis.com
"Cart," by Susan Danis. All Rights reserved.

A frame?

Stavelot Triptych (c. 1156), intended to house pieces of the true cross. Morgan Library & Museum, New York City.
Stavelot Triptych (c. 1156), intended to house pieces of the true cross. Morgan Library & Museum, New York City.
Tiny saint bones, from the Museum of Folk Art and Folk Life, Hellbrunn Castle, Salzburg, Austria.
Tiny saint bones, from the Museum of Folk Art and Folk Life, Hellbrunn Castle, Salzburg, Austria.
Susan Danis, Industrial Coral Reliquary. www.susandanis.com
"Industrial Coral Reliquary," by Susan Danis. All rights reserved.
Susan Danis, Pearl Reliquary, detail. www.susandanis.com
"Pearl Reliquary," detail, by Susan Danis. All rights reserved.

If I say, "This is an object not to be forgotten," will you believe me? I have no scrap of parchment proof. No indication that what I'm showing you is some true relic. You can question the authenticity, but I'm also not asking you to worship.

I'm just asking you to think.

Amy Meissner, Reliquary series. From the post The traveling eye 6: Reliquary. www.amymeissner.com
Amy Meissner, Reliquary series. From the post The traveling eye 6: Reliquary. www.amymeissner.com

All I have to show in my hands is reverence. Time and time and time
          amassed.



Note:

I am newly smitten with the work of Bay Area artist, Susan Danis. Her work is arresting, thought provoking and was used here with permission. I also think her taste in glasses is outstanding. 

Of course.

Someday I have to meet this woman.
Picture
5 Comments
judy martin
2/22/2015 04:49:31 am

I am intrigued by the images of your work that you give glimpses of Amy. The rows of stones on beautiful old cloth resonates with me. I could see a whole gallery with a floor of cloth and stones...

thank you for your thoughtful posts.
xx

Reply
judy martin
2/22/2015 04:50:17 am

I am intrigued by the images of your work that you give glimpses of Amy. The rows of stones on beautiful old cloth resonates with me. I could see a whole gallery with a floor of cloth and stones...

thank you for your thoughtful posts.
xx

Reply
Amy Meissner link
2/22/2015 05:53:27 am

Judy--Oh, I'm aiming for the gallery walls...but the floor is good, too. Thank you for such nice comments.
XO Amy

Reply
Susan Danis link
2/23/2015 05:04:09 am

Greetings Amy,

I love your work and the things you are saying here!

Many thanks for inviting me to take part in your superb
blog.

Such a pleasure to meet you! I look forward to knowing
you better!

All Best Wishes!

Susan

Reply
Amy Meissner link
2/23/2015 05:30:01 am

Susan,
I am humbled and honored that you've taken the time to comment. I much admire your work and must thank you again for allowing me to showcase it here. I look forward to following your pursuits and being continually inspired by them.
All the best,
Amy

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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