Mormon Conference Center – Paintings
Talking about the paintings within LDS Conference Center, this is one of the most shocking I’ve even seen. This resembles mosaic so much, yet the guide said it is just a normal painting. I still can’t believe it: with the lack of lighting around this painting (it resides in a very dark corner), if it doesn’t emit cold light itself, I see no explanation why it can be viewed so clearly. And even more suspicious: the guide doesn’t allow us to touch it. IF the guide were true, then this painting should have been painted with fluorescent material.
(This is a test post from Flock, a social web browser I’m just starting to try out. I must say, Flock gives me the real feeling of web 2.0, I haven’t been so impressed since the day I was able to create blog post from within Flickr.)
Perhaps I can clarify:
1. This is NOT a painting, but rather a very nice “stained glass” by Utah Stained Glass artist, Tom Holdman (http://holdmanstudios.com/).
2. This particular piece was based upon an earlier painting by the Danish artist, Karl Bloch (1834 – 1890).
3. Both the original painting and the stained glass you saw in the LDS Conference Center are entitled, “Christ Healing at the pool of Bethesda”.
4. As with other stained glass art, this one is illuminated from behind (in this case with artificial light.) Mr. Holdman did not use fluorescent materials to enhance the effect.
Thanks for pointing out the truth that the guide was not willing to tell.
Nonetheless, this artwork is among the few in LDS Conference Center that I like most, especially on its 3D effect created by stained glasses, making the characters realistic and lively.
You are very welcome. This piece is also one of my favorites.
I am also a guide at the Conference Center (CC), and I am surprised your guide seemed unwilling to provide you with the complete information. None of us is “professional”–meaning we all volunteer and are not paid to provide this service; therefore, it does take time to become wholely familiar with all the informaiton available about each piece of art in the building. Since I know many of the guides at the CC, I would be very surprised (indeed skeptical) that there was anything “sinister” about your particualr guide’s motives.
Speaking from experience, I know I have innocently mis-informed from time-to-time. And having studied the information afterward only to find myself saying: “I’m sorry, I don’t know–I’ll have to find out.”
By the way, I meant to tell you that I find your photograph excellent. Thank you for visiting us, and thank you for appreciating what you saw while you were here.
Best Regards from snowy Utah!