Gerard, these two paragraphs of yours dazzle me as much as this "experiential light show" did you:
Dense colors infused the air like fog and suddenly there were animated images of the priceless paintings and sculptures held within the museum. They broke open their picture frames and scrubbed the ceilings and walls of the grand military containment with ancient oil and varnish.
*****************
They "broke open their picture frames and scrubbed . . " - I LOVE THIS
*****************
Carved statues in the vestibule were receding and vanishing only to reappear as ghostly moving images that seemed to approach the spectators’ throats. The audience was hushed as a swirling gate to infinity opened from within the center of the Invalides dome and I was met with the vague sensation that our hearts had gathered together here to be taken upwards.
***********************
". . . that seemed to apparoach the spectators' throats. . . . a swirling gate to infitnity opened . . . the vague sensation that our hearts had gathered together here to be taken upwards."
Wow. Gerry, this article is so amazing. I'm sure one has to see and hear this grand show to fully understand how amazing it is. And you and your friend were there. It sounds so emotional and definitely worth the experience.
The writing in this piece is stunning. Here's an example: "Dense colors infused the air like fog and suddenly there were animated images of the priceless paintings and sculptures held within the museum. They broke open their picture frames and scrubbed the ceilings and walls of the grand military containment with ancient oil and varnish."
I adore your writing. Through your vivid descriptions, you helped me experience how amazing all this is. It sounds both beautiful and terror-filled, all at the same time.
I'm curious, how was recovery from this experience? I would think it would affect a person for a long time, not necessarily negatively or positively, just that this experience would make a huge impact on someone.
Thank you for writing about the Aura Invalides. I had never heard of this until your wonderfully descriptive post!
Thank you Beth--of course I thought of you during the show because there is a great focus on the works of art in the museum--the murals and paintings--all coming to life and taking on new dimensions of possibilities. There are so many elements of the show to claim as inspiration and that's but one of them. But for sensitive souls like you and me, the recollections of war through sound and light were a bit overpowering. It took a good week or so to finally settle down from that kind of intense stimulus. For me, the result was positive in as much I feel more in alignment with a peace movement. I want to align with those activities that promote peace and sensitivity: art, music, writing, nature, the celebration of moments with friends and family, and so on. I want to let people who are in Paris to see it--it's quite memorable and impactful--just be aware of the grim content. I was caught unaware!
Great article. I made a visit to Les Invalides over 20 years ago to see Napoleon's tomb, but I can only imagine what an experience it was to see the light show.
Oh, my, Jerry. What an experience. I have never been inside Les Invalides to see Napoleon's tomb. It seems such a crime to devote one's attentions to a man who pretty much invented the World War, at least in the modern era. In this way, the son et lumière as you describe it would be appropriately devastating--equal parts horror and beauty. And yet, he is also the emperor associated with bringing law and institutional modernity to Europe. How to hold these dichotomous things in mind?
Thank you for also bringing us the story of Bertha von Suttner. I hadn't heard of her. Fitting that it has been women leading the peace for the past 140 years. An effort not for the faint of heart, but the rewards could be transformative.
Finally, apropos the UN Declaration (drafted by a committee chaired by US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt), you may have seen this already, but 3 dear friends and I channeled a new Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence, iterating on the US Declaration of Independence, but updating it for the 21st century and beyond. I will link the story behind it here https://remembertheworld.substack.com/p/declaration-of-responsibility-and
And the Declaration document here: https://thedeclaration.org/ [Note: it was designed to take signatures, but there's been a technical snafu. Need to get my webmaster on it!]
You share all of my deep sentiments about this situation here Robin, thank you for your powerful feedback! While it is true the emperor Napoleon brought civil law to the forefront of modern society--education for all, a centralized administration as well as the construction of roads and transportation--his war achievements were quite bloody and I felt the brunt of the latter during the show--not a show for sensitive souls! I learned about Bertha von Suttner when I was teaching in Vienna--she is celebrated there for her great accomplishments and her belief that a right to peace could be demanded under international law. She worked for Alfred Nobel and inspired him to establish a prize for peace. And her widely translated novel promoted pacifism inspiring hundreds of thousands of people to join a local peace congress. And finally, I get so excited to talk about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--I will examine your new Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence Robin--what a brilliant idea and how desperately we all need that right now.
Now you have me even more intrigued; I will have to do some research about Bertha von Suttner. If my protagonist Charley were still leaping time in my Edge of Yesterday book series, I have a feeling she’d definitely want to meet Bertha up-close and-personal.
Would love to know what you think about The Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence. It’s aspirations are forward—I wonder, perhaps, if not too forward for our times.
Stunning pictures.
"I want to still believe in peace and not as mere faery dust, but as something still tangible for everyone in this world we live in."
Agreed.
We are the true believers then Robin, thank you for your comment here, it’s truly appreciated. I keep thinking of that famous John Lennon lyric:
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”
Yes. ❤️
Gerard, these two paragraphs of yours dazzle me as much as this "experiential light show" did you:
Dense colors infused the air like fog and suddenly there were animated images of the priceless paintings and sculptures held within the museum. They broke open their picture frames and scrubbed the ceilings and walls of the grand military containment with ancient oil and varnish.
*****************
They "broke open their picture frames and scrubbed . . " - I LOVE THIS
*****************
Carved statues in the vestibule were receding and vanishing only to reappear as ghostly moving images that seemed to approach the spectators’ throats. The audience was hushed as a swirling gate to infinity opened from within the center of the Invalides dome and I was met with the vague sensation that our hearts had gathered together here to be taken upwards.
***********************
". . . that seemed to apparoach the spectators' throats. . . . a swirling gate to infitnity opened . . . the vague sensation that our hearts had gathered together here to be taken upwards."
*********************
Gorgeous!
What a spectacle!
Thank you my dear Claire—it truly was a riveting experience and made me think about how glorious art and architecture are!
Wow. Gerry, this article is so amazing. I'm sure one has to see and hear this grand show to fully understand how amazing it is. And you and your friend were there. It sounds so emotional and definitely worth the experience.
The writing in this piece is stunning. Here's an example: "Dense colors infused the air like fog and suddenly there were animated images of the priceless paintings and sculptures held within the museum. They broke open their picture frames and scrubbed the ceilings and walls of the grand military containment with ancient oil and varnish."
I adore your writing. Through your vivid descriptions, you helped me experience how amazing all this is. It sounds both beautiful and terror-filled, all at the same time.
I'm curious, how was recovery from this experience? I would think it would affect a person for a long time, not necessarily negatively or positively, just that this experience would make a huge impact on someone.
Thank you for writing about the Aura Invalides. I had never heard of this until your wonderfully descriptive post!
Thank you Beth--of course I thought of you during the show because there is a great focus on the works of art in the museum--the murals and paintings--all coming to life and taking on new dimensions of possibilities. There are so many elements of the show to claim as inspiration and that's but one of them. But for sensitive souls like you and me, the recollections of war through sound and light were a bit overpowering. It took a good week or so to finally settle down from that kind of intense stimulus. For me, the result was positive in as much I feel more in alignment with a peace movement. I want to align with those activities that promote peace and sensitivity: art, music, writing, nature, the celebration of moments with friends and family, and so on. I want to let people who are in Paris to see it--it's quite memorable and impactful--just be aware of the grim content. I was caught unaware!
Great article. I made a visit to Les Invalides over 20 years ago to see Napoleon's tomb, but I can only imagine what an experience it was to see the light show.
It brought out all the old military ghosts of the past Nancy! What I felt so deeply when I left was, we cannot afford to have another war, anywhere!
Oh, my, Jerry. What an experience. I have never been inside Les Invalides to see Napoleon's tomb. It seems such a crime to devote one's attentions to a man who pretty much invented the World War, at least in the modern era. In this way, the son et lumière as you describe it would be appropriately devastating--equal parts horror and beauty. And yet, he is also the emperor associated with bringing law and institutional modernity to Europe. How to hold these dichotomous things in mind?
Thank you for also bringing us the story of Bertha von Suttner. I hadn't heard of her. Fitting that it has been women leading the peace for the past 140 years. An effort not for the faint of heart, but the rewards could be transformative.
Finally, apropos the UN Declaration (drafted by a committee chaired by US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt), you may have seen this already, but 3 dear friends and I channeled a new Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence, iterating on the US Declaration of Independence, but updating it for the 21st century and beyond. I will link the story behind it here https://remembertheworld.substack.com/p/declaration-of-responsibility-and
And the Declaration document here: https://thedeclaration.org/ [Note: it was designed to take signatures, but there's been a technical snafu. Need to get my webmaster on it!]
You share all of my deep sentiments about this situation here Robin, thank you for your powerful feedback! While it is true the emperor Napoleon brought civil law to the forefront of modern society--education for all, a centralized administration as well as the construction of roads and transportation--his war achievements were quite bloody and I felt the brunt of the latter during the show--not a show for sensitive souls! I learned about Bertha von Suttner when I was teaching in Vienna--she is celebrated there for her great accomplishments and her belief that a right to peace could be demanded under international law. She worked for Alfred Nobel and inspired him to establish a prize for peace. And her widely translated novel promoted pacifism inspiring hundreds of thousands of people to join a local peace congress. And finally, I get so excited to talk about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--I will examine your new Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence Robin--what a brilliant idea and how desperately we all need that right now.
Now you have me even more intrigued; I will have to do some research about Bertha von Suttner. If my protagonist Charley were still leaping time in my Edge of Yesterday book series, I have a feeling she’d definitely want to meet Bertha up-close and-personal.
Would love to know what you think about The Declaration of Responsibility and Interdependence. It’s aspirations are forward—I wonder, perhaps, if not too forward for our times.
Another time leap.