Harmony in Diversity

Posted on by

Harmony

Weekly Photo Challenge: Harmony

~*~

As a singer I am enthralled by harmony. It is the core of my musical experience. For 12 seasons I was a soprano member of the world-renown Toronto Mendelssohn Choir ~ one of the highlights of my life so far.

What always amazed me was how 180 people from diverse walks of life and experience could come together and perform the works of the great composers ~ Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Vaughan Williams, Handel, et al ~ in perfect harmony. Our love for music the common ground upon which we walked to create moving moments in the choral repertoire ~ for the audience and for ourselves.

The rich texture of our individual lives coloured our voices, which the conductor then sculpted into the beautiful, warm, clear sound for which the choir is famous.

Harmony III

Similarly, these images depict the organ pipes of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. They illustrate how diverse textures and materials, when crafted by expert hands, can work in harmony to produce unimaginable visual beauty.

Visiting this great church has been one of the highlights of my travels thus far.

Harmony II

For me where there is harmony, whether in nature or in those things crafted by the loving intention of the human heart, there is peace.

I love harmony.

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

~*~

©Dorothy Chiotti … All Rights Reserved 2016

Orange … Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Posted on by

Weekly Photo Challenge: Orange

~*~

Sagrada Orange

The stained glass of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is stunning. Its rich colours warm and embracing. Little wonder my thoughts turned to this beautiful church for a spot of orange.

~*~

Sagrada Orange II

The area around the organ is surrounded by plexiglass. I suspect this acts as a baffle, but it also has its place as a mirror for all that gorgeous orange stained glass.

~*~

Sagrada Orange III

Everywhere you are, there it is.

Perhaps orange is the new black. 😉

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy

~*~

©Dorothy Chiotti … Aimwell CreativeWorks 2015

Illumination … Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Posted on by

St George

~*~

This is my entry for Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness Week 13.

One of my favourite activities when travelling in Europe is to visit the great cathedrals and other beautiful places of worship ~ the Sagrada Famlia nestled in the heart of Barcelona among them.

Originally designed by famed Catalonian architect, Antoni Gaudi, and with construction beginning in 1882, this amazing edifice is slated for completion around 2026.

Though the interior is not yet finished, for a fee tourists are able to go inside and see the miracle unfold. The Sagrada Familia is an expiatory project which is to say the building of it is completely funded by private donations and the millions of visitors who flock to see it every year.

I featured several images from my visit some time ago in a weekly photo challenge. This is one of my favourites.

The Sagrada Familia is well worth some of your time if you’re ever in beautiful Barcelona.

Thanks for visiting,

Dorothy

~*~

©Dorothy Chiotti, All Rights Reserved 2014

Searching for Music

Posted on by

Daily Prompt: Searching

~*~

I’ve been searching for the music in answer to this week’s writing challenge: Moved by Music.

Stay tuned to my blog In So Many Words to see how music has moved me. Likely to be posted later today.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

I don’t understand the science behind it. All I know is that the music (as well as books, movies, etc.) we absorb lives in us forever. It’s a powerful emotive force that can build up or, tear down. Like all living things it has its good, bad and ugly. This is why I am so careful about what I tune into. These vibrations colour my life forever.

~*~

colour and sound

Image: the pipe organ of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Okay, I just googled that link … 😉 …

~*~

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy 🙂

~*~

©Dorothy Chiotti, Aimwell CreativeWorks 2013

Other Searches

  1. Uncharted Territory |
  2. One monster’s island | shame
  3. Daily Prompt: Google and Rescue Operation | Under the Monkey Tree
  4. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | In Harmony
  5. Daily Prompt: Google and Rescue Operation | Basically Beyond Basic
  6. life sends bundled | y
  7. Do All Dogs Go To Heaven? | sayanything
  8. “Searching” | Relax
  9. What is a chapbook | Now Have At It!
  10. Research and Google | Kate Murray
  11. Old MacDonald | Motherhood and Beyond
  12. My Last Google | Dear Yolandi
  13. Wherever You Throw Me, I Will Stand | An Upturned Soul
  14. Google and Rescue Operation
  15. Daily Prompt: Google and Rescue Operation | Awl and Scribe
  16. Red | Nature Activities
  17. Daily Prompt: Google and Rescue Operation | Faraziyya
  18. The Bed | Bright Moments Catcher
  19. Milkweed Bugs (Searching) | photo potpourri

Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You … Blue

Posted on by

~*~

Cool Blue

~*~

This was the first image that came to mind when I reflected on this challenge.

These organ pipes in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona reflect a full spectrum of colours from the church’s gorgeous stained glass windows.

Here the major hues are a delicious lapis and turquoise blue.

Divine!

With my birthday in December, the month of turquoise, it seems fitting that the colours that most resonate with me are those depicted here.

And there’s just enough of the warmer shades to provide a sense of balance.

Blue is a spiritual colour. The colour of communication. The colour of the Throat Chakra.

As a writer and communicator this seems entirely appropriate.

For a complete interpretation of the colour “blue” in colour psychology, click here.

~*~

Thanks for visiting …

Dorothy 🙂

~*~

Shout Outs

Cee’s Photography

artBea

scottseyephotos

~*~

©Dorothy Chiotti, Aimwell CreativeWorks 2013

Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise … Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

Posted on by

Green Light

I knew, as I crossed the threshold of the magnificent Roman Catholic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona one cold day in February, that I was going to witness something marvellous. I did not, however, expect the experience to
take my breath away.

Talk about a delightful surprise!

... A portion of the ceiling ...

… A portion of the ceiling …

You don’t have to be of the Catholic faith to appreciate the glory of God depicted in this sacred space.

... Window detail ...

… Window detail …

I have a fondness for the grand cathedrals of Europe. I’m in awe of their structure, workmanship, and artistry. Their sheer scale somehow embodies the essence of peace, leaving me feeling wonder-filled and worshipful. Even as tides of tourists flow up the aisles and around me my place in the great church is not lost. In that I find comfort.

Where permitted (not all churches allow photography) I take out my camera and capture moments that capture my imagination.

... Light painted floor ...

… Light painted floor …

Like a child wide-eyed in front of a shop window dressed for Christmas I’m fascinated by the magical light-play of stained glass reflected on stone and marble. The colours mesmerize as they slowly advance and
recede following the path of the sun.

... Ceiling detail in amber light ...

… Ceiling detail in amber light …

... Central Nave ...

… Central Nave …

The scale of the large churches and cathedrals of the Old World always amaze. They are ancient and have stood
the test of time. That, too, is part of their wonder.

This incredible structure, designed by acclaimed Catalan Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), is still under construction. Work began in 1883 and is scheduled for completion in 2026 (the construction of this edifice is funded almost entirely through donations so when the money dries up the work stops, which has happened before).

It is a rather different experience to wander the nave of a mammoth sacred space that has yet to be completed. I feel like a witness to something significant.

The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

... St. George in silhouette overlooking the central nave ...

… St. George in silhouette overlooking the central nave …

Perhaps if you have not yet visited this modern architectural wonder its astounding beauty is a delightful surprise for you too.

... Organ pipes ...

… Organ pipes …

... Organ pipes reflecting blue light ...

… Organ pipes reflecting blue light …

Whatever your life journey, whatever your faith, with all my heart I wish for you the peace, joy and magic the Christmas season brings.

May all your surprises be delightful. 😉

... Detail from the Nativity Facade ...

… Detail from the Nativity Facade …

Thanks for visiting …

Merry Christmas!

Dorothy 🙂

*

Copyright Aimwell CreativeWorks 2012