SAVE OUR CEILING
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic church in Atlanta, Georgia proposes to destroy its vintage Art Deco style ceiling in favor of what it is calling ‘much needed updates’ to the church interior in order to facilitate worship… Huh?
What could be more inspiring and ethereal than the massive yet lithe Celadon and turquoise-colored angels, whose curving wings frame and protect Jesus in an aquamarine, feathered halo. Arms down in powerful humility, this Jesus soars in a metallic aura, ascending in a blood red robe, signifying his scared heart, pierced then resurrected for all.
They want to get rid of this Jesus and those Angels replacing Him with an arms-raised Savior flanked by two smaller pale golden Hosts. Him in a white robe and red shawl. His contra-posto more pronounced. We would be trading Cyan blue/Persian green for a royal blue; and less color over all. We would be trading huge angels for diminutive ones; breathy turquoise for sand gold; a serene and layered composition for a busy and bold setting.
This is not only a bad idea, it’s wholly unnecessary – to paint over a gorgeous, historic rendering of the image of Jesus, with angelic consorts Gabriel and Raphael (?), done in the most exquisite, stylized, art deco elongation, with the coloration of the angel figures so saturated as to be subtle – blending in with the heavenly vault until you come up close – you cannot see them—as appropriate to angelic beings – hard to spot, diaphanous, servient, defenders of God’s only son.
This would be a mistake, both from the liturgical or faith-appliances point of view, and from an art history point of view – you do not, should not, paint over the work of a great master of early 20th C. religious art, in favor of a blah-boring, standard but too detailed painting of same subject matter. The extant colors take your breath away – a Caribbean blue background, a humble yet triumphant Jesus, two heroic angels disguised in a sea of jewel-blue, jade-green – this delights and inspires, and aids in worship, as parishioners can contemplate the mystery and majesty of the One. Let them (Fr. John Howren) know you don’t want a new ceiling; jhowren@sacredheartatlanta.org (404) 522-6800
Below: Left, my photo taken at Christmas time 2023, at Holy Family Mass; Center, artist’s rendering of the new ceiling; Right, parish photo on pamphlet.
Elizabeth_Ferszt 