Click to enlarge. Photos by Douglas Imbrogno

I don’t know what kind of spiritual padre Father Sadie is at the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, being a retired Roman Catholic. But he’s one heckuva real estate developer of spiritual property zones. First, props to the flower-filled, double fountain space (click thumbnail photo at right) on the church’s side plaza at the corner of Virginia and Leon Sullivan Way. This is one of Charleston’s most lovely public grottoes (when the gates are unlocked, which they often are). It’s especially peaceful with the white noise of the very cool fountains going and the smell of fresh flowers wafting in the air.

Now, across the street in a portion of the church’s parking lot, two new religious sculptures have gone up in the meander-shaped, mound-filled tiny park there. This space is itself a welcome public garden and once the greenery grows out will be another meditative niche and restful spot in a city in need of more of them. As for the sculptures, no doubt the faithful will draw comfort from the Christ on a cross seemingly sprouting a grape arbor around it. And then, at the other end of the small park, stand the paired figures of the archangel coming to Mary to inform her that baby Jesus was heading her womb’s way. I welcome other’s thoughts on the sculptures (click the photos to bring them up large), which are done in a gestural bronze style, as if they were work-ups toward a final, more hyper-real finished product. I find the Christ a little off-putting.

Partly, it’s the threatening looking leaves – that many metal edges coming at you at near face level is like a cloud of Ninja stars thrown toward your head. You want to duck or at least be cautious you don’t put an eye out. Also, I think the power of the image of Christ on the cross has always comes from its elevation into the air. The arms of Christ on the cross high on a church are like an invitation to come and be embraced. Much of this power drains away when encountering the cross imagery at near eye level. The image seems less ethereal, transporting and commanding, more earthbound and much less compelling. On the other hand, the archangel and Mary — since this encounter was groundbound, anyway or near it, for the angel — is punchier. But then I am critiquing the imagery from a spiritual, artistic aesthetic. Perhaps, if you’re a believer and not a fallen Catholic it packs the desired punch. Your two cents here. (Plus, you are welcome to light a devotional candle for my fallen soul. We can all agree on candles.)

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