Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Illuminated


Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that's been our unifying cry, "More light." Sunlight. Torchlight. Candlelight. Neon, incandescent lights that banish the darkness from our caves to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators. Big floods for the night games at Soldier's Field. Little tiny flashlights for those books we read under the covers when we're supposed to be asleep. Light is more than watts and footcandles. Light is metaphor. Light is knowledge, light is life, light is light.

--Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider

Light is knowledge.
True. The light from these lamps have nurtured generations of knowledge, hanging for so many years in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room. I always feel emotionally illuminated when I see them; I always wish I could channel Brassai when I photograph them.

(And speaking of the library, if you haven't already read my latest column about it at South Pasadena Patch, I'd love it if you'd check it out.)

6 comments:

Judy Williams said...

What a treasure. I'm always so inspired when I see people renovating old buildings, and either keeping the original fixtures, or finding appropriate ones for the period. I'm fond of the "compass rose" that is in the corner of the arch too. Next time I come visit, we simply MUST go to the library.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, Laurie. Hey, why has your column gone to every other week at South Pasadena Patch? You are the best thing that site has going for it. I think you should do a column for the Star News.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Oh, I love light fixtures! Another treat at Home Depot. That one is absolutely lovely and inspirational!

Dixie Jane said...

Campfire light, You light up my life, By the light of the silvery moon, Let there be light, Let's turn off the light and go to sleep. The light in her eyes, I'll stop now.

Lovely light fixture and you put light on the subject.

TheChieftess said...

wonderful Laurie!!! And I loved your slideshow on Patch!

Who cares what I think? said...

I've never seen those lamps. Is it possible I just never look up? This is quite nice, Laurie. I admit, I don't go to the library much but your column sure pointed out reasons why that should change.