Having promised to share Mike (Michel's) beautiful descriptions of these two photos with you-VOILA! You have to see them side by side to appreciate his special architect's eye and writer's heart.
(Right) I shot this photo by placing the lens of my camera through a small, high opening in an iron entrance gate. The overhead flash illuminated the darkness of a hidden cavern that I could not see with my own eyes. Much to my surprise, the photo captured the hidden glorious gothic carvings and colorful painted murals inside. What stories do the murals tell about the family resting inside? The illuminating white light of the crucifix window in the back wall magically glows high in the nearby darkness. This photo captures the sheltering spirit of christianity in this sacred space. I wondered when last, if ever, this hidden treasure was photographed.
(Left) I shot this photo of the underside of the barn roof, since Laury suggested I climb to the loft and look around. The hand-made structure of the place immediately caught my eye. The way we build today, with perfect dimensional elements mass produced by factories, make efficient spaces but they are devoid of character and locality. In stark contrast, the hand-hewn wood rafters and collar ties of this barn speak of a by gone era, and perhaps the fabric of the Cadrieu community that built this barn long ago. In the hand-crafted details there is the decoration of simplicity. I can picture a community coming together to build this unique structure in a way that no longer exists. Built of local materials, by local craftsmen, perhaps the structure they built mimics the structure of the Cadrieu Community. The stronger members support the weaker members. The hand-made clay tiles represent the uniqueness of Cadrieu's individuals coming together for a greater purpose. In this way, the irreplaceable ancient barn is a sacred space for the Cadrieu Community for the unique sheltering spirit of this place transcends time to present day.
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