Jordan smiled serenely. "I'm in your hands, Theo. The research area would be great."
This is for adding a Search Category to the thread.
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"Alright then. This way." Theo leads Jordan through, still giving little facts now and then.
"Here we have some examples of Archaic Greek sculpture. One of the features of this period is the archaic smile."
"Keep in mind a lot of the plain stone you see, was at one point painted to help give it a better semblence of life."
"Early Christian art tends to potray Jesus as younger and without a beard."
"The reason Moses is sometimes given horns when he's depicted is due to a mistranslation of the Bible"
"This contrast of light and dark is called chiaroscuro. We are very fortunate to have some of Tintoretto's work here. He was very influencal to the Mannerists."
They get to the back research area.
And here we have the offices, storage of pieces not currently on display and research area.
Theo really knew his stuff. He had a good memory, and obvious enthusiasm for the subject.
More and more Jordan appreciated the artistry that was involved in evolving the collections that make up a museum. He already had a full clip of respect for Tyria (although he'd never use a first name without leave), but the skill it took to put all of this together was something wonderful.
They walked into the research area, and Jordan's already enlivened interest sharpened. In this first look around the room, he allowed his Sybil's Sight full reach. Jordan personally preferred the Sybil's Sight to the Mage Sight that Time offered. The Sybil would provide enlightenment as to interconnections that his conscious mind would not register readily. This was perhaps the reason that the Acanthus mages had a reputation for taking shortcuts. It was a little bit slanderous, of course. The Acanthus Arcanas were not shortcuts, any more than hammers were shortcuts in hammering nails.
Wisdom doesn't just come...it unfolds. Knowledge is it's handmaiden and it's vehicle. Jordan opened his attention, his experience and the guidance of the Sybil...in this place especially.
He smiled gratefully to Theo as they continued.
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"Back here is where we keep the items that we either don't have room to display or are to fragile to be exposed to the public," Theo realised he'd fallen a little too far into the groove of obscuring what he was saying. There wasn't anyone back here to hear at the moment.
"Imbued items are kept hidden futher back.
"Study and restoration of both art and the Art is done here."
He takes Jordan closer to one of the paintings.
"This is the 'Apotheosis of St Sebastian'. The museum is helping in its restoration. Apotheosis is a genre of art that exalts its subject. It is found throughout history, starting with the deification of kings and pharohs."
He smiled a little "I often just shorten it to Theo though, but I respond to both."
Apotheosis of St Sebastian
"I revere thee, oh mighty one." said Jordan with a playful grin. Then he said:
"I remember some of this kind of thing from Chinese history. During the development of Taoism in its religious rendering, ordinary men...minor nobility and such...were exalted the the way you suggest. They became the Eight Immortals and lived in a Taoist afterlife, coming to succor men from time to time."
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"That's the theological use of the term, referring to the belief that people or groups can obtain godhood. Or at least god-like stature. Apotheosis in art isn't always the literal transformation of the subject into a god, though Egpytian tends to take that route. Most of the time it is a portrayal that makes them larger than life."
"Theology, art...every bit of human endeavor or aspiration. I think they are linked to some degree, Theo."
Jordan looked at the apotheosis.
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Jordan seemed to be getting it. Althoug, saying that two meanings that shared the same word were connected was fairly obvious. He let Jordan admire the piece for a little while.
Jordan nodded absently. The thought was beginning to take him. Art, architecture, literature, the mystic arts...maneat in chorea magna...joyfully in a great dance.
He said almost inaudibly. "This is, of course, why the Mysterium existed, to identify the dancers in the great dance and see if they are ready to audition. Mystic arts were just that...arts, and have to be approached with the same firm but reverent discipline."
More audibly: "Lead on, Theo.
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Theo showed him around some more, talking about restoration techniques, model making for the anthropology exhibits, and the preservation of fragile pieces. Since he wasn't as strong in these topics he tended to engage more in casual conversation, in between lecture pieces.
"So what brings you here to Sacamento?"
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