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Telescopes of Stone

One of my singular delights, rarely indulged in, is to read a design magazine unhurriedly on a Saturday morning. The magazine is rolled in one hand, my sans-handle cup filled with coffee in the other, reclined in my frightful La-Z-Boy with the early morning light streaming in through windows and skylights. This scene is a major part of my recipe for creative thought.

When I followed my recipe this morning I was relishing the pages of an October 2009 issue of Dwell magazine. I turned a page and my attention was arrested by what I took to be a picture of the vaulted ceiling that dominates the interior of the York Minster in England. The webbed ceiling was illuminated by light streaming in from triptych stained-glass windows. The picture that caught my attention was taken from the cover of a book of photographs of the vaults of Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals, and the picture accompanied a short review. The illustration drew me into the copy, and I found the real nugget of gold in the anonymous article.

The author wistfully observes that these kinds of buildings hold our fascination because they can and will never be built again because we cannot afford it, and because, well…”We don’t know how.” This observation was juxtaposed with the next paragraph, which I thought was an incredibly eloquent statement that deserves deeper consideration:

“These buildings, some nearly a millennium old, are charged with the grandeur of God, as though the architects, suddenly doubting that it could be read in nature, decided to codify it in stone (Dwell, Oct. 2009, 42).”

First, the author observes that the buildings are charged with the grandeur of God. The conscious exercise of the architects and builders was to create and fill a space that attempted to communicate the awesomeness of God. They succeeded as the eyes of those who entered this sacred space were drawn upward. Second, the author says that the designers were impelled to intention because this awe was being missed in the commonplace that nature has become. In the cathedral of nature the eyes of peasants had been directed to the earth from which they drew their sustenance. The designers had a priestly duty to mediate the grand attributes of God to a less imaginative, but hopefully impressionable generation. When others missed the obvious presence of God, those who knew him intimately struggled to construct a grand telescope of stone and mortar, as it were, so that they could see him if they would only look. Ironically, the author suggests we will never see their ilk again.

A few pages earlier is an interview with contemporary designer Phiippe Starck, who is apparently obsessed with liars, thieves, and bad religion. If the redactor’s selectivity is any indication, Starck blames a great deal on being brought up, at least, with religious education while acknowledging at the same time it helped make him what he is. From his apparently self-righteous mistrust he has fashioned a world of whimsy that includes a dream to kill (repurpose?) materiality and that he believes justifies his existence (“…I do believe we all have to try to deserve to exist.” So some don’t deserve to exist? What do we do with them (me?)? Ibid., 40) with fifteen iPods and sleep his only apparent comforts. I found the interview confusing and contradictory and wondered what wonders Starck was mediating to a suffering humanity? He needs mediation himself but he was apparently inoculated against the best antidote to materiality by the dunderheads who misrepresented the God of the universe. He grew up in an epoch that forgot how to build telescopes.

Instead, I can imagine microscopes being offered to Starck by well-meaning emergent (but equally confused) dunderheads who would praise his art, cluck their sympathies for his mistreatment at the hands of the religious, and join him in his anti-materiality crusade without ever holding out a vision of the greater story of the God of nature and of the vault. Microscopes beneath the canopy of space are plentiful, cheap, and boring.

The anonymous book reviewer uncovered an insight that must be meditated upon vis-à-vis the mediatorial designers of cathedrals: we will never see their kind again. No more telescopes of stone, mortar, and glass. Too costly. We don’t know how. Rigidity failed. The anemic identification practices of the emergent will yield no more dialogue with wanderers than his modernist forbears experienced in the last century. So at last I come to the question inspired by the insightful sentence: who (rather than what) will be charged with the grandeur of God in such a way that the eyes of others will be drawn upward?

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Hedge Apple Heaven on Middle Earth: Twenty Reasons to Come to Kansas

The list below was published in the Abilene (Kansas) Chronicle on April 21, 1870. It was a nineteenth-century public relations piece aimed at attracting (apparently) farmers to the state. The Osage Orange the author mentioned is better known as the Hedge Apple tree today. The Hedge Apple, a tree that I have long admired, is a rapidly growing feature of natural windbreaks in Middle Earth. The author extols it as a renewable source of fence posts. We could have added a number twenty-one to the list and noted the fun that could be had during otherwise boring interludes by pelting one another with hedge apples. This practice has given birth to the sport called Kansas Dodge Ball (is this the origin of the name of Dodge City?). To understand a bit of the seriousness of this late summer games, just know that Rugby is to American Football as Kansas Dodge Ball is to (Greek) Dodge Ball. I will expand on the other merits of Kansas Dodge Ball in a subsequent article. It is not a pastime for weenies.

I do have questions and comments about the received list: What are the advantages of a new state over an old state? So Kansas is better than Massachusetts, but Nevada is better than Kansas? Why did the author not mention the abundance of wild cannabis when it was obvious he must have been smoking something when writing #5. Regarding reason # 9–take that Louisiana! Why were people in other states sending their children to Kansas to be educated? Were they on scholarship for Kansas Dodge Ball? I knew money didn’t grow on trees, but I didn’t realize it could be grown as a crop (#11). What else does one do at a Pomological Conference (#12)?  And finally, he convinced me with his salt and limestone arguments. That is what I always look for in a new location.

Twenty Reasons Why You Should Come to Kansas

  1. Because it is a new state (1861) and as such has innumerable advantages over any old state.
  2. Because it is as productive as any other state.
  3. Because what you raise yields you more profit here than elsewhere being raised at less expense.
  4. Because the weather and condition of roads enable you to do more work here than elsewhere.
  5. Because the climate is mild and pleasant.
  6. Because the short winters require little feed for stock.
  7. Because it is unsurpassed as a grazing region. Bluegrass takes naturally, and stock may be grazed upon it all winter.
  8. Because the population is enterprising. Towns and villages build rapidly, and great profits result from all investments.
  9. Because the climate is dry, and the country free from swamps. The money paid out in less healthy regions for the expense of sickness can here be used to pay for a home.
  10. Because the society is good, and educational and religious privileges can be found in every neighborhood. Children are being sent here from the older states for education.
  11. Because, owing to immigration, money is plentiful here, and produce commands good prices. Capitalists have confidence in Kansas investments, and money can easily be raised on Kansas property.
  12. Because fruit can be readily grown and sold at great profit. At the National Pomological Conference, held at Philadelphia, September 16, 1869, the Gold Medal was awarded to Kansas for the best fruit in the Union.
  13. Because railroads are building in every direction. Ten lines are now in process of construction, giving facilities for freight and traffic for every locality.
  14. Because lands can be more easily fenced than elsewhere, as the Osage Orange never fails, and grows very rapidly. It is a native of the southern borders of this state.
  15. Because the best of limestone for building and making lime is abundant. Hardly a square mile is destitute of a ledge, easily quarried and so situated as to not interfere with cultivation.
  16. Because we have a well watered country. The streams are clear and fed by streams.
  17. Because excellent coal beds are opened in every part of the state.
  18. Because there is timber enough for all practical purposes.
  19. Because vast salt deposits are found in the state, which will make this commodity plentiful and cheap.
  20. Because it is within the reach of every man to own a home in Kansas.
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Revolution birthed in the village bookshop

quila Volker eased his Vauxhall sedan into the parallel parking space across the street from the Village Bookshop. That he found this particular space seemed like a divine confirmation of his mission. Foot traffic in the village was nearly always light, but automobiles were constantly vehiculating through the narrow streets, their drivers scouting for places to park. Aquila did not put this windfall in the category of a miracle, and he chided himself for his fleeting thought that God had saved this space for him. After all, no sooner had he turned off the engine than other cars passed from both directions not wholly dissimilar from the way sharks buzz a tuna with a nosebleed. Except they were not Elasmobranchii, but machines driven by real people who might have been able to use the space more than Aquila. No, he thought, God didn’t favour me more than them just because I was able to park.

Having salved his theological conscience, he hopped out onto the kerb and locked the Vauxhall. A sense of dread came and went as he placed his hand on the door handle of the bookshop. Freshly pensioned off, Aquila was new to the community and had heard the reputation of the two women who ran the shop. He had been warned that they stocked strange titles that were conspicuously absent from most bestseller lists, but neither would they deserve to be called classics. They carried many first novels and books of regional interest. In short, though they were in business they were definitely not in business to succeed. From these wisps of evidence Aquila’s acquaintances had extrapolated that the book purveyors were fantastical feminist types who ran a bookshop for the experience. Tossing aside his misgivings, he opened the door and entered the shop. He refused to be deterred from his idea to get to know people in his community.

Upon stepping onto the polished wood floor Aquila’s eye was immediately drawn to the till on the desk at the back of the shop, whilst with his peripheral vision he noticed the typical wooden shelves of books lining the walls of the room. Waist-high islands of tabletop shelves loomed as obstacles to any who would make their way easily to the back. Atop these cays volumes appeared in stacks, though at the same time they were definitely arranged to attract the would-be reader. Aquila navigated these deftly and stepped confidently to the sales register, behind which a bespectacled middle aged woman, her dark hair attractively streaked with grey, scrutinised a clipboard.

“Excuse me,” he said. “I wonder if you could help me?”

“But of course,” the woman replied in a piping voice. “Are you looking for a particular title or author?”

“Not exactly. I was told you supply the books for a number of book clubs hereabouts.”

The woman smiled knowingly, showing teeth that Aquila thought looked like the glazed white of Delftware. He loved the blue part of Delftware more, but the thought crossed his mind that the former colour was more appropriate for teeth. “Why yes,” she intoned,  “We do. Are you picking up an order for your wife?”

“Well no,” said Aquila. “I’m not married. No, actually I guess I am not asking about any book in particular. You see, I’m new in the village and I thought joining a book club might be a good way to get to know people–and perhaps have some stimulating discussions. Would you have suggestions about book clubs I might join?’

The Delftware smile melted into a wistful expression that drew Aquila’s eyes to her own. As if on cue, she removed her glasses and laid them with the clipboard on top of the desk. Her eyes were the colour of mahogany. Was that natural? “Why yes,” she said slowly. “I agree that is a wonderful way to meet people, Mister…?”

“Volker.”

“Yes, well Mr. Volker, as I was saying that is a good way to meet people, except in our village there are neither any clubs designed for men nor to my knowledge do any of the clubs have men in them. I am not sure if the clubs really exclude men, but if one were to admit you on the off-chance, would you really want to join?”

Aquila had always envisioned a men’s book club, but would not have been deterred by one that was co-ed. However, he had no desire to be a pioneer in any case. He was disappointed.

“Don’t men read in this village?” Aquila blurted out. “Oh, I don’t mean they’re illiterate (at this word the woman raised her eyebrows with a slight shrug of the shoulders) or anything, I just mean I can’t believe they don’t discuss what they read.”

“If I may be frank, Mr. Volker, very few of the men of this village even come into our shop though they are certainly welcome. Those that do come seem to be looking for, well, certain stories more than anything else.”

He thought that surely she could not be referring to porn but said, “History?”

“Well some, but mostly novels with action I would say, but perhaps some historical novels. The Civil War, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Espionage seem to be the preferences. And for some reason if one does not share their passion for these things, one does not find these readers well…enjoyable companions if you know what I mean.”

“You mean they are intolerable bores, and loners?”

She smiled again. “Precisely. I was trying to be delicate, but I am afraid you put much better words to it. I just don’t know the other men, many of whose wives are in book clubs.”

“Clubs that don’t admit men.”

“Right.”

“And if they did admit men, especially single ones, the husbands might not be so happy.”

“Mr. Volker, you are not slow in your perceptions!” She said this not condescendingly, but almost with affection.

Aquila felt like taking a risk. He placed his hands on the desk and leaned in slightly. He looked to his right and his left quickly and said, in a whisper, “What are we going to do about it?”

She giggled like a schoolgirl. “Oh, Mr. Volker! I like the way your mind works! Would you like to start a men’s book club of your own? We would love to publicise it, and I would love to work with you on some selections!”

“Call me Aquila.”

And that was the birth of the Old Gentleman’s Reading Experiment.