72. More Faces of Trees at the Church of St. Andrä

At the end of September 2016 my friend Rosavita had another show of her ceramic tree masks in a little park adjoining the St. Andrä Church in Graz. It's a pretty old church. Some artists from Graz have been invited over the years to decorate it in a contemporary style as a kind of Kontrapunkt to the baroque interior. Apart from regular church service, the church is being used for art shows and performances.

Unfortunately I couldn’t go to the opening and I missed a spectacular performance by RosaVita. I managed, however, a visit and I had a chance to take the following photos.

The approach to the church is rather profane. It is a migrant area and the as the church community is also active in migration work. When I saw the faces of trees the first time [without my camera] it was a sunny day. People were picnicking in the park and some of the seven masks looked a bit forlorn. I had a feeling, they were telling me: "It's okay that we are here but - please - when can we go home again.

The next time, however, when I took those pictures, the weather was dismal, with a soft light rain coming down. Now the sun mask was brightening the day and all the other masks looked serene. The altar table in the middle is also covered with mirrors, giving it a rather transcendental touch.

The place was empty. I had it all to myself and I had the leisure to make a number of interesting discoveries. In one corner of the park I discovered a show garden or rather what was left of it. A bit untidy but full of surprises, like these artichokes.

Actually, it is a perm culture garden with raised beds. It must have been nice to look at during the summer month. Now, however, it has a kind of enchanted feeling. I wonder, if theses strawberries will still make it to maturity.

The rose and the white knight! Who would want to comment ;-)

This tree masks looks rather skeptical. Perhaps the tree suffers from indigestion. I nice hot tea from the leaves and the flowers of the mallow might help.

A modest lady with fan and the Holy Virgin Mary in all her baroque splendor.

The crucifixion, another stele at the church wall, protected by a mask that looks quite valiant.

The steles fixed in the church walls are a bit worn down. Still they are impressive in the diffuse late morning light. What intrigues me, whenever I see those ancient tabloids is how much they may have seen and how little they can tell. Maybe it is rather considerate of them that they don’t.