Where better to explore the history of our universe than in Rochester Cathedral, one of the oldest large venues still standing in the UK. The 11th Century Romanesque design building has remained a cathedral for its entire history and has drawn characters and worshipers from the Kent and wider area for centuries. The footsteps that have echoed in those walls, the marriages, the funerals, christenings, and fiery sermons, it’s all still there, resonating in the light. You’d have to travel several light years at faster than light travel to see it, though. Maybe one day. Until then, light can be used to show what we know in a more down-to-Earth way 
 
The light display and multimedia experience producers Luxmuralis have worked all over the world. They’ve entertained awestruck crowds in the USA and Germany plus at St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey in the UK. A theme of history, storytelling, and luminous moving images captures the audience and enchants as the epic tales are brought to life in vivid detail. Artistic director, Peter Walker, has designed a visual and audio once-in-a-lifetime journey through history via the walls of Rochester’s ancient landmark.  
 
Exploring the human concept of time and our relationship to it through our culture, our beliefs, and our hopes and fears, the experience can inspire deep thought on a level fitting for each participant. Be it a child or a philosophy doctor, the concept of the clock is big enough for everyone. This is the fifth year in a row that Luxmuralis have visited the iconic Rochester Cathedral; last year’s display showed off the delights of Anglo-Saxon artwork and manuscripts. A wider scope this year, taking on time itself is bound to leave a few of us feeling fascinated and factual.  
 
The lightshow starts today, 30th September and finishes up on Saturday 4th October. If you’re in the area, why not get yourself a place.  
 
  

Many people will remember the devastating fire that ripped through the historical York Minster back in 1984. The building boasts some of Britain’s finest period architecture outside of London with roots dating back to pre-Viking times. The Minster of today was built over a staggering 250 years during the early Middle Ages, when life expectancy was around half as much as it is today. Designed to fit the needs of the Entire North of England when the nation was still under King and God, the magnificent Gothic building represents the first example of the style ever built in the land. Westminster, Exeter, Sheffield Town Hall, they all take the second row.  
 
When the fire blazed through the South Transept, the right-hand side of the cross shape, the pulpit area and the priceless artifacts were destroyed. Thankfully, work was able to begin immediately to repair the beautiful and hardy structure. Now, with 4 decades behind them, the Minster are ready to recreate the entire experience with a fantastic light and sound show called Phoenix. The Nave, where the congregation sits, and the entrance area at the West Wing, will be illuminated with flickering orange and yellow firelight. The sound of a raging fire and the voices of firefighters will sing out from speakers to complete the effect.  
 
Exhibition creators Karen Monid and Ross Ashton have deliberately put the disaster into vivid detail, incorporating the story of the fire and the continuing work to rebuild the world-famous building. Visitors today may not be able to tell that there are pieces missing and that several traditional elements may not be in their rightful place. Millions of pounds and four long years were spent to get the place back to usability. However, with the full story told alongside the exciting visual and sonic effects, modern-day Minster goers will discover how much is still needed to be done.  
 
From the 2nd of November, visitors can witness the display for themselves and learn all about how human endeavour conquers chaos with the provision of time, effort, and of course money. Ticket prices for this event raise funds to help continue the vital repair work that no-doubt will take place over this generation and the next. With a history such as the one York Minster carries on its shoulders, we can all afford to wait a while to see its completion.   

​Learn about the Gothic Architecture style: ​The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church 1130-1530
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​As you know, this year is a leap year. To mark the 366 days of this calendar orbit, a total of the same number of feathers have been used to construct a giant angel sculpture. The eight-meter-high symbol of God’s message and law stands bearing down on visitors to Great Yarmouth’s Minster in Norfolk. Intended to attract thousand of visitors for the entire year, seaside goers can be awed by the magnificence of the hand-made statue.
 
Each of the 366 feathers used to make the statue are said to represent “days of hope and positivity” BBC News.

Made by children, who attended Reprezent Project workshops and adults who are part of the Walk and Talk local men’s mental health group, the combining of community and direction helps to unify the true meaning of God’s universality. Even those who don’t necessarily believe can still believe in the goodness of doing the right things and choosing to love over hate whenever possible.
 
By working together, the communities have been able to collaborate on the work and involve each other in the entire process. Bonding different projects together through combined efforts is a serious activity for the forward progression of the wider population. This level of inclusivity can also be represented in the angel symbol, with God’s servants appearing to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and their mythological analogues appearing in various other unrelated cultures around the world.
 
Constructed with willow, bent into a woven figure shape, the body was dressed in paper mâché and then decorated with the feathers to represent the days of 2024. On view to visitors to Great Yarmouth Minster in Norfolk for the whole year, you can get some salty air, eat some ice-cream, and go and see an angel.
 
Recommended read: ​Angels in Islam: Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti's al-Haba'ik fi akhbar al-mala'ik (Culture and Civilization in the Middle East)
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As the two titans of tyranny squabble over the right to hard power over the general population in Sudan, the work of science and archaeology continues to maintain cultural expression. Discovering and preserving rare finds from times gone by is one of our noblest causes as the artefacts enrich our story and bring new characters and chapters to the book of human civilisation. Sudan is a melting pot of human culture, with people living in this area since before written history. The world religions have made their mark, too, and in this way have sculpted the ethos and social structure of the populous over time.
 
Since the 1960s, a team of Polish archaeologists have been painstakingly uncovering the lost buildings of Old Dongola. This once forgotten destination was home to Sudanese people during a medieval period when the land was known as Makuria. A trade city, Old Dongola was a meeting place for Christians and Muslims. The two cultures that flourished on either side of one another would mingle and trade goods and knowledge in this central and welcoming part of the world.
 
The team of archaeologists had begun to work on later buildings that could be dated back to the 16th to 19th centuries when they discovered an ornate wall painting. Within a small hidden room they discovered the likeness of a Nubian ruler, thought to be King David, being protected by Archangel Gabriel. The mother of Christ is also shown with her child. What is considered unique is that the pictures are thought to be asking for protection over the city during a time of unrest. The hidden network of painted rooms depicts religious symbolism in what could be a gesture of hope and faith. Were people hiding in there for their religion or their nationality?
 
King David of Nubia was the ruler during the 13th Century. His rule saw the beginning of the downfall of the nation of Makuria with his actions leading to the ransacking of the city by the Mamluk Sultanate. It is now believed that these hidden chambers were originally produced during this time and that they had been built over by the later constructions. Art produced in a desperate way in a hope that God will protect the people is an unusual use of religious art in Christian society. It’s easy to imagine how frightened these people must have been. The largest religion in the area at the time was the Church Of Jesus and it is now accepted that this art can be attributed to this sect.
 
Discover Meeting God In The Middle, the new book from the author of Alternative Fruit

Via Artnet
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