The Olympic closing ceremony in Bejing included wonderful, dramatic banners. They were hung from guide wires and draped across the central space to direct our focus to the action. At Carrot Top Studio this makes us wonder how many different ways a worship banner could be hung. Each worship sapce is special and unique and we should think beyond just hanging a banner against a wall!Monday, August 25, 2008
Olympic Banners
The Olympic closing ceremony in Bejing included wonderful, dramatic banners. They were hung from guide wires and draped across the central space to direct our focus to the action. At Carrot Top Studio this makes us wonder how many different ways a worship banner could be hung. Each worship sapce is special and unique and we should think beyond just hanging a banner against a wall!
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5 comments:
I watched quite a bit of the closing ceremony and enjoyed a lot of it. I had a number of thoughts: first, the athletes had to stand the whole time! second, much of what was happening wouldn't have been very visible to the people in the stands and even to some of the athletes who were closer. The specifics were "made for TV." But the overall motion of the tower, as one example, would have been seen by all the attendees.
Sometimes I think we have to take into account how close the viewers will be to what we hang. That can make quite a difference in choices of technique, color, size, and design.
I made four small hangings for my church. I spent way too much time on the stitching (machine applique), I realized after wards, because no one will ever be all that close to them. But I started with the idea to make just one, and as a perfectionist, I tried to make it perfect. Then the idea grew and it became four hangings on a theme, but way too much time was involved for what was the outcome.
I love hearing about churches that use banners...sounds like your project morphed in a lovely way. I totally agree that worship banners often don't need the detail that a quilt might. The other thing I've learned regarding where the banner hangs is that you often don't need fine fabrics...it's usually the color that be seen not the quality, weight or texture of the fabric. I also get concerned that if huge amounts of money are placed into using heavy ornate fabrics then the banners will never be replaced. Visual stimulation needs to be changed from time to time otherwise we grow tired of looking at it and don't even notice! Thanks for sharing your experience.
We had a similar experience in looking for banners for our contemporary evening service; we've looked at lots of places and fell in love with a series of banners at a local church. When we asked about where they came from, we learned that one was a very expensive Flemish tapestry banner, and the rest of the series were inspired by that banner, made with remnants from a quilter's fabric collection and appliqued with fabric paint. They were all beautiful.
We've converted one of our quilt-makers to a banner maker now. Her first one was a figural Jesus on a beach (we're a coastal community) and she incorporated chenille seagrass and real shells. Now she's working on a new one, because she had such fun on the first.
How awesome that someone's gift of art/sewing were identified in your congregation and you were able to encourage her to share these talents! That's how Carrot Top Studio came to be...someone wiser than I suggested I work with the worship team to construct banners. Several years and many banners later I was able to take this experience and make it into Carrot Top Studio.
PS-I enjoyed finding your Etsy shop!
I was thinking the same thing as I watched the closing ceremony.
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