There’s not a whole lot to say about these two images. The
first is a rather traditional (hackneyed) shot of a ladder against an faux adobe
wall the other is a (hackneyed) window and real adobe vignette at La Morada de Nuestra Señor de
Guadalupe. So, the connection is either adobe or hackneyed.
Come to think of it, there is a story lurking beneath the
surface of image two and is that of access or lack thereof to the
aforementioned morada. My understanding has been that the rights of the public
and, specifically, of artists and photographers to visit and depict the morada
was guaranteed in the agreement that conveyed the morada from the Taos
Historic Museums to the archdiocese of Santa Fe about ten years ago. Rebutting that belief is a conspicuously placed sign on the entry gate to the morada which says that
painting and photography are not allowed. I have conspicuously ignored said
sign, the evidence of which is flaunted above.
The last time Peggy and an artist friend attempted to paint
there they were told to cease and desist by an officious member of the
Penitente Brotherhood who said that the morada is a sacred place which would be
defiled if memorialized by camera toting barbarians. I paraphrase
liberally.
After a short interchange which culminated by Peggy saying.
“I don’t want to debate it with you anymore.” she
and her friend departed the scene. I, on the other hand, will photograph the morada this
very day as a matter of principal.
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2 comments:
Morada libre, indeed. Your dilemma is interesting and I am happy you have decided on a "damn the torpedos full speed ahead approach". How many photographs have been made during a sacrament such as First Holy Communion, baptisms, weddings, funerals. Many, no doubt. I had a similar experience at a Catholic church in Santa Fe, in the "burbs" as it were. Your images are stunning and not hackneyed in the least. So glad you are doing this series.
Yeah. The Catholic church seems to embrace photography and other depictions of their edifices
which can only accrue to its benefit. Though the moradas were not built or manned by the church but by laymen seeking sanctuary when the church didn't provide it. I kind of get it but won't stop photographing there either.
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