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Norman truss |
What we come up with this architectural form, this archetype, is a form that
speaks of the early European colonization of Louisiana. Where old world and new world come
together. It is very clearly seen in the attic of this building, the Norman truss. There is a medieval
building form that evolved over centuries of building practices in Europe. We see that transferred
to the new world. But this is the tail end of an ancient practice, of a hand-made practice. As the
machine age comes about we see these disappear and so you get a sense of European roots in this
building it is that ancient, that old of a building, and our ties to medieval Europe.
That brings us to
specifically what this building is about though.
One of the things about the Spanish government that
this building speaks about, is the fact that is was a theocracy. Where the Church and state were
intertwined with one another. This is very different from the east coast where the English colonies,
that was real clear from the beginning in those colonies, that the church an state was separate. But
here it is part of our heritage, we have parishes not counties.
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Church window |
Look at New Orleans, the public square,
Jackson square, the Cabildo, the cathedral is a center and the Presbyter next to the church. This
went to the outposts as well, far away places like St. Gabriel and St. Martinville. The church is a very
important part of society and the Spanish were intent on building these people a church.
The wonderful thing about historic buildings is that they are immediate, they are at hand, they are
physical, you can get a holistic sense that you can't get from a painting. It can really transform you,
back to a place that speaks of an ancient people. That is what I see as more significant. It is true that
all of as it is now speaks of an entire history, but I don't think you get a full sense of that earlier time.
Since 1991 we have begun the study of this building and how to interpret this building. We are still,
the committee oversees this building is still in that process. We have been studying it for four years
now. We will be in that process a little bit longer before we can finally determine how do we want
to project this building forth into the future for future generations. What is significant, how do we
want it portrayed as a piece of art.
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