Salisbury’s Glorious Font
The above pic is one that I took on my recent trip to England.
Whilst I was in Salisbury to preach, I saw this wonderful new font which has just been installed in the middle of the nave.
It is dark and mysterious. Large enough to drown someone in. The dark interior makes the surface of the water reflect all that is around it. The water seems still and calm, yet is actually moving all the time, running over the edge of the corners.
Two things interested me particularly about it. The first was the propensity of people to throw money into it, proving that there are spiritual things deep inside us that refuse to die, no matter how much we try to baptise it out of people through no matter how many centuries.
The second thing was the consecration crosses. They got Archbishop Rowan to consecrate the font using holy oil. Only thing was, no-one worked out in advance that it would not be a trivial matter to wipe them off. And thus they remain. Ghostly and Holy. The whole thing is magnificent. One of the most successful modern commissions I’ve seen.
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Posted: May 14th, 2009 under Blog.
Tags: font, Rowan Williams, Salisbury Cathedral
Comments
Comment from Stewart
Time 14 May 2009 at 4:21 pm
When I was there four years ago, the previous font was still there. It is good to see the same principle of the water coming out of the corners and flat surface were retained. See the previous font at http://bonnyton.fotopic.net/p19062132.html
Comment from
Time 14 May 2009 at 8:10 pm
Stewart, was not the previous one a preview of this final commission, to elicit opinions from the congregation, as well as to give them a feel for what they would be living with permanently?
Comment from Roddy
Time 14 May 2009 at 9:17 pm
The word I’d use for it, other than beautiful, is compelling. Even in the photos you are drawn to it.
I note the outside is sea green. Is the interior the same colour – again from the photos I’d say it was black.
Are you getting ideas for sunny St Mary’s?
Comment from Anne
Time 14 May 2009 at 11:15 pm
A few years ago there was an art installation at St Mary’s which consisted of a large pool of water, lined in black. It reflected the stained glass windows and was interesting in all lights but absolutely beautiful, and yes compelling, in sunlight. Of course one small child tried to jump across and fell in!
Comment from gaelle
Time 15 May 2009 at 12:36 pm
Aha ! Stewart – you have solved the mystery of my consternation arising from not recognising the current font in Salisbury – and Roddy, I agree – Utterly Compelling.
A most excellent photograph, Fr Provost – Thank You.
PS. Anne, the Water Jump in S Mary’s certainly aroused comment, caused consternation when it leaked and – yes – inspired Memorable Moments (recalling among these the atmospheric effects of floating candles, and the dust which demonstrated the phenomenon of surface tension so superbly). ‘Foot Washing’ escaped from the Maundy Thursday Liturgy for a space.
(I guess there’ll be a relevant photographic representation lurking in the capacious cupboard of Somewhere which will yet emerge ……… )
Comment from Kelvin
Time 15 May 2009 at 12:38 pm
I’d like to see a pic of the pond, if anyone has one.
Comment from Martin Ritchie
Time 15 May 2009 at 11:09 pm
Wonderful – thanks for sharing this!
Pingback from Chocolate Font-dant « Still Striving For that Elusive Halo
Time 17 May 2009 at 8:36 am
[...] by Kirstin on 17 May, 2009 After Kelvin posted the glorious font at Salisbury – which was actually covered up for some reason when we visited – I decided that I [...]
Comment from Kennedy
Time 17 May 2009 at 9:33 am
You can see more of this chap’s work at http://www.williampye.com
Kennedy
Comment from shona
Time 22 May 2009 at 11:48 am
beautifully iconoclastic – the edifice of the church is turned upside down in the waters of baptism….
Comment from Kennedy
Time 14 May 2009 at 11:21 am
Wow!