Ash Wednesday

The big "I AM" banners and the burning bush are set up in the sanctuary.

The burning bush ablaze during the Ash Wednesday evening service.

Clips for Small Banner Poles

Binder clips riveted to the back of the small banner poles will help in changing out the small banners - and when they have overlays make everything so much simpler than the wire used on the black ones that are hanging now.

Looking Good!

I figured out a spot in my garage to hang the big banner and overlay to check on how things look - and I think it looks pretty good. I still am amazed on how big this really is - and then once it is up I will be amazed on how small it will look on that big wall.

The latest sawtooth border turned out nice, too.

I AM....

I AM...
...exhausted after the weekend of working on the Ash Wednesday banners. I am tired, too. The exhausting part is trying to figure things out on this first group and worrying that something will be wrong or missing.

...excited and anxious to see the group up on the wall in the sanctuary. It will definitely make a big, bold statement. Here at home I cannot see any of it hanging or it all together, I am curious to see how well I measured and if everything will be straight and hang correctly.

...surprised at how BIG everything really is. The big back banner (layer 1) is huge! And then then everything else is big, too. My house is not big enough to work on more than one of the tasks for each group at a time - so hopefully it will get warmer and I can move to the garage soon. I will need Steve's help for some things, too as I know he has his big work studio.

...concerned - the first group has taken longer than the others to come (I hope) - to do a group like this each week will take time, effort, teamwork, prayer, faith. I am confident we will get all of this done, we just need to keep on everything and work together. We may need to recruit some help in putting the big banners together.

...amused by the results of our sawtooth piece for the big banner. The first attempt is curled and dried up - it actually looks like a crown all rolled up. The second attempt was better but is big, clunky and has hot glue stains on it. Third time is a charm.

...Greatful! We are only just at the beginning of the Lenten season, but I am so glad to be working on this project. I am excited to see the banners up on the wall tomorrow night.

Another Rough for Easter Banner

Considering the VEIL

I believe that there are "richer-than-I-had-imagined" textual possibilities for us to massage during Holy Week. Consider the Second Lesson for this weekend, for example... from 2 Corinthians 4


"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Here is not only the image of veil, but of light and darkness as well.

Rough for Easter Big Banners

As I have been thinking about how to make the names of Jesus work to make the image of Christ, I have also been thinking about execution in paint and glitter.

This approach would have the gold outline of Jesus and the words on the top layer, the names in silver on the second layer, and maybe we can do some ray effect on the background first layer.

The using of the words to make the darks and lights of an image may just turn into clumps of paint and glitter - we can still pursue after we find out how delicate of lines we can achieve after doing the first couple of overlays with the scrolls.

Colors for Banners

Hey Steve - do you have any color references for the colors of the banners? Not sure if you would know the pms color closest to the colors of the fabrics.

If not I can go to the church with my pms fan and make notes - that way the colors for the big banners will be closer than if I just pick from what I remember in my head.

Also, if you have the small black banners in your possession could you let me know the pms color it is close to? It looked pretty black with no color to it but blacks can be so hard to match.

I am hoping to start on the overlays for the first two big banners this week - so I will need the silver paint and glitter for the "I AM" and then the gold stuff for the "IF". If you will be up at the church for choir on Wednesday would you bring the stuff and leave it for me in the coat room with the touille? or I can meet you another time to make a direct handoff.

A rough idea...?

I had a thought on how to display the photos as we get them from the congregation...

What if we had a board with the I AM graphics and then the printed photos would be put on to create a photo collage - and eventually covering the whole board.

My initial reason for putting the video together was to show the progression of the building of the photo collage - but it may be a way to display, too - especially for an Easter presentation.

Rick, I just used some music I had handy that had a nice tempo - if you have something else I am always looking for new music and tunes to play while working as it is inspiring for the creative process.

Artwork File for Publication

The file finally downloaded. - it was sent it by email, too.

Fringe or No Fringe?

I think Joe is calling the saw-tooth border that is hanging down from the bottom of the big banners "fringe".

If you look at the Ash Wednesday banner wall image {black} the big banner has the gold "fringe".

Then if you look at the 1st Sunday banner wall image (red) the big banner does not have the "fringe",

I kind of like it - it helps to tie the big banner to the smaller ones.

For the artwork for the Messenger the fringe won't be there, I will modify the I AM and Hebrew artwork for print.

First Sunday - IF?

This seems to be the most challenging, as are most things that appear to be so simple. I am open to any suggestions...

Steve and I discussed not putting overlays on the smaller banners for the Sundays but in this case it may work with the concept if the smaller banners had question marks on them???

First Sunday in Lent

This has the first two layers and then a third layer of netting (in two pieces that overlap a little in the middle.

The intention of this layout is to let as much of the "I AM" and the Hebrew below to show through - the "If" could be smaller but I feel it needs to be a different scale than the elements behind it.

Steve, Joe has mentioned about the gold trim at the bottom of the color panel (layer 1) - any thoughts? See his comments from the previous post with the Ash Wednesday Banner Wall. I am ok to loose it.

Ash Wednesday Banner Wall

Color Base and "I AM" Overlay

Level 1 = Color with gold trim at bottom
Size is 96" wide and 120" tall (plus gold trim at bottom)

Level 2 = "I AM" Overlay - Silver Glitter on Netting
Size is 54" wide and 120" tall

A Maundy Thursday - Good Friday Thought

It occurs to me today that instead of the traditional, usual stripping of the altar we might find a way to liturgically remove the banners that will be assembling in the space throughout the season. Perhaps we could, for example, liturgically remember something about Jesus "The Light" and then darken the worship space a bit and remove the banner in some dramatic fashion. A disconnected voice could read something of how we have often failed to let Jesus' light shine in our lives or have worked to extinguish in our own lives the light Christ wants to display. Later we could do the same with "Gate". Etc.

Another thought is to gradually take them 'behind the veil' on Thursday night and hide the banners from the congregation.

Or...if we did this on Friday night...I wonder if we could find someone/some way to position a helper behind the veil who could dismantle the banners and remove them secretly to the sacristy. Then, when the veil dropps and worshippers expect to see the banners, they are gone, replaced only by the highlighted cross.

Just creatively ruminating out loud.

PJ

Ceiling Triangle Measurements

Messenger Artwork

Hopefully Boo will able to pull this file from this post
for what she needs for the Messenger.

Joe, you mentioned yesterday something about more emphasis on the "you" and less on the "who" - I can make those adjustments and any others for the actual artwork for the banners. Just let me know.

It would be very helpful for us to have your comments on the emphasis on the words for the other statements.

Also, if you have thoughts on how the words are grouped together and broken into different lines - I work with editors and they do the same thing to make sure the artwork not only looks good but the message "reads" well.

Lenten Theme 2009 "I AM"

Below is the updated list we went through yesterday. I have noted which color scheme we have designated for that week. It may be a good idea to take each week and call out what elements we see as being important for getting that message across.

I am glad that Joe has provided the Scripture references but it would be helpful for Joe to share his thoughts on the theme for each week, Rick could give a hint to what music is planned for that week, too.

Ash Wednesday - Feb 25th
"I AM"
Exodus 3:1-15
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-20
Black color scheme
Key design element for embellishments and small banners
Music - ?

Lent 1 - March 1st
"If...I AM"
Exodus 3:7-15
Matthew 4:1-11
Red color scheme

Lent 2 - March 8th
"I AM the Light of the World"
Isaiah 60:19-22
John 8:12-19
Yellow color scheme

Lent 3 - March 15th
"I AM the Gate"
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
Blue color scheme

Lent 4 - March 22nd
"I AM the Vine"
Galatians 5:19-25
John 15:1-8
Purple color scheme

Lent 5 - March 29th
"I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life"
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 14:1-14
White color scheme

Palm Sunday - April 5th
"I AM King"
Mark 1:1-11
Psalm 118
Matthew 27:27-44
Green color scheme

Maundy Thursday - April 9th
"I AM Living Bread"
John 6
Red (Crimson) Color Scheme

Good Friday - April 10th
"I AM the Veil"
Hebrews 10:19-22
Black color scheme

Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday - April 11th
"I AM the Living Water"
John 3

Easter Sunday - April 12th
"I AM the Ressurection"

Veil

Hanging Banners

Banner Wall

who do you say I AM?