The Mosaic Apse of Sant’Apollinaire in Classe, Ravenna

THE MOSAIC APSE OF SANT’APOLLINARE IN CLASSE, RAVENNA:  A Miracle of Design Aidan Hart There is some iconography that can only be described as miraculous. Such is the sixth century apse mosaic at the basilica of Saint Apollinare in Classe, five miles from Ravenna, Italy. Such works seem to flash forth, and are never –…

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A Tale of Transformation

A TALE OF TRANSFORMATION Two New Mosaics for St George’s Orthodox Church, Houston, Texas Aidan Hart   This is the story of how two large mosaics for St George’s Orthodox Church in Houston Texas came to completion this January. The genesis of a mosaic is a tale of transformation, from sand to glass, to image,…

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The Transfiguration in Shadow.

Last year I was asked by a patron to carve a large icon of the Transfiguration.  She said: “I am curious to see how you will do that.”  I understood immediately what she meant, and her comment for me went to the core of what icon carving attempts to grapple with.  So much of Orthodox theology, especially since St-Gregory of Palamas…

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An Icon of the Kingdom of God: The Integrated Expression of all the Liturgical Arts – Part 12: Incense – Heavenly Fragrance and Transfigured Light

This is post 12 of 12 in the series “An Icon of the Kingdom of God” Andrew Gould gives a unifying vision of how all the liturgical arts complement each other to create a living icon of the Kingdom of God. An Icon of the Kingdom of God: The Integrated Expression of all the Liturgical…

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Holy Icons in Today’s World (Pt.2): Icons and Modern Art

The transfiguration icon and modern art Christ takes with him His disciples Peter, James and John up a mountain, traditionally taken to be Mount Tabor. The Gospels then tell us that Christ’s face and garments shine with light, brighter than the sun. Moses and Elijah also appear before the disciples, talking with Jesus about His…

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