Committee on Design

I guess every COD chair needs to visit Chartre.  I did so this morning.  Besides being awesome in every way, it was a big surprise.  I believe most of us practice within a world that might be characterized as ding an sich a la Kahn.  That is, I think we pretty much take it for granted that materials and assemblies should tell the truth about themselves.  If the historians are to be believed, nothing could be further from the truth of Chartre Cathedral.  They constructed of stone, then lime washed (we might call it plastered) and then painted to create the appearance of stone.  I am stunned.  It also seems to be consistent with the claims that the Parthenon was painted in multiple colors.  There is an ancient church in Poitiers (not Saint Pierre Cathedral) that probably gives an indication of what such painting might have looked like.
Be well.  Tell me I am confused.
Mike

I guess every COD chair needs to visit Chartre.  I did so this morning.  Besides being awesome in every way, it was a big surprise.  I believe most of us practice within a world that might be characterized as ding an sich a la Kahn.  That is, I think we pretty much take it for granted that materials and assemblies should tell the truth about themselves.  If the historians are to be believed, nothing could be further from the truth of Chartre Cathedral.  They constructed of stone, then lime washed (we might call it plastered) and then painted to create the appearance of stone.  I am stunned.  It also seems to be consistent with the claims that the Parthenon was painted in multiple colors.  There is an ancient church in Poitiers (not Saint Pierre Cathedral) that probably gives an indication of what such painting might have looked like.
Be well.  Tell me I am confused.
Mike