The Franciscan University

I spent three days in this beautiful campus last weekend, during the Power of Beauty Conference, where I was also a presenter.

The week-end went well, my presentation was well-received, and I returned with memories of good discussions, beautiful environment, delicious food, and new visions.

This encourages me, more than ever, to continue with my book project Reclaiming Beauty: Winning Back Our Civilization, especially after I (bought) and read Dietrich von Hildebrand's book My Battle Against Hitler, which tells of his bravery and courage, which he of course diminishes in his humble way, against the evil that beset Germany ("my beloved Germany" he writes) in the early parts of the 20th century.

Our task, now, appears less difficult, but the surreptitious usurpation of our civilization goes on, and astute voices need to make the calls.

Below are photographs I took of the beautiful campus.


[Photo By: KPA]

The view of of St. Kolbe residence hall on the right, after St. Maximilian Kolbe, killed by the Nazis, and the St. Thomas Moore (after the saint) building on the left.

I took this shot while going from one conference presentation to another. The university is secluded from the town and other centers. To get there, one needs a car or some kind of transportation. An entrepreneurial student arranged for a shuttle bus to transport students to and from the campus, primarily to the Pittsburgh International Airport. That is where I met the shuttle, traveling a short (local bus) distance there from the Greyhound station.

Once on campus, the spiritual freshness of the place is beautifully palpable.




[Photo By: KPA]

A small wood near the campus' Rosary Circle.

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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I had some lay-over time in Pittsburgh, so instead of waiting at the bus terminal, I decided to take my suitcase and carry-on (I was getting quite adept at this, and much stronger too!) and walk around the city, since the ticket agent told me that I was in the downtown area, where there were a few things to see.


View of Pittsburgh across the Allegheny River. These two bridge views are from my bus.


Two of the "Three Sisters" bridges (the second one is just behind the one at the front)
The are named: the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the Andy Warhol Bridge, and the Rachel Carlson Bridge.

Here's something about the waterways of Pittsburgh:

Downtown Pittsburgh is constrained by two rivers, the Allegheny on the north and the Monongahela on the south. They join at what is known as the "Point", forming the Ohio River. Because it is thus limited it has been forced to grow upwards, the downtown core is a dense and vertical bustling center; office workers stream in and out on the weekdays, packing buses, light rail trains, and the bridges during rush hours.[Source: Wikitravel]

The Double Tree Hotel clock tower, near the Port Authority Bus Terminal
(Downtown Pittsburgh)


A couple of blocks off the Port Authority is the United States Post Office and Court House
It was completed in 1934, and is still in use by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania [Source]

More on the building:

The building was designed in the Stripped Classical style of architecture, which was commonly used for government buildings during the late 1920s and early 1930s. It is a refined style that conveys the dignity and stability of the federal government, which was particularly important during the Great Depression. It does not, however, contain excessive or exuberant ornamentation that was deemed inappropriate for a somber period in American history. It was one of the last classically inspired buildings to be constructed in Pittsburgh before Modern architecture became popular. [Source]

The building underwent several renovations:

During the 20th century, the building underwent several significant interior alterations, whіch included the addition оf new courtrooms аnd the removal оf the train tracks. Renovations thаt began іn 2002 involved the modernization оf existing courtrooms аnd the installation оf six new courtrooms аnd judge's chambers tо accommodate the growing needs оf the courts. Lobby spaces were restored, аnd the building's exterior wаs cleaned аnd re-pointed. [Source]

Below is a video of the buildings history, and its renovation highlights:




The Old Train Station, known as Penn Station

Union Station (or Pennsylvania Station, commonly called Penn Station by locals) is a historic train station at Grant Street and Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...The station building was designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and built 1898–1903...On January 3, 1954 the Pennsylvania Railroad announced a $31.7 million (2014 dollars) in expansion and renovation for the complex...In September, 1978 The New Yorker art critic Brendan Gill proclaimed that Pittsburgh's Penn Station is "one of the great pieces of Beaux-Arts architecture in America. [Source]

[Photos By: KPA]

Below is a map of downtown Pittsburgh:


Map of Downtown Pittsburgh

The purple highlights show some of the places I managed to see.

The bridges highlighted are called the Three Sisters Bridges
(although the names are not all female, or related) [Source: Wikipedia]:
- 6th Street Bridge (Robert Clemente Bridge)
- 7th Street Bridge (Andy Warhol Bridge)
- 9th Street Bridge (Rachel Carson Bridge)

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Erie, Pennsylvania

My bus to Toronto had a 5-hour lay-over in Erie, Pennsylvania. I looked at a simple map provided at the bus stop, and realized that Lake Erie (yes) was nearby, and the Erie Art Museum was in walking distance.

I pulled my mini-suitcase with the attached wheels, and went my way.

It was well worth it! And a surprise.


View of Lake Erie, in Erie, Pennsylvania


Exhibition at the Erie Art Museum

This exhibition at the Erie Art Museum which I osaw was titled, Styled by Adams: Streamlining America 1934-1958.

At just twenty six...Adams was ready to strike out on his own, opening a studio in Cleveland and working with his wife, Arleen, a talented artist and interior designer. Adams found instant success with his 1934 transition to the burgeoning field of industrial design, and the couple returned to Erie, settling in the country on Wolf Road where Adams worked from a studio in the barn on the old Metcalf estate.

Erie was a hub of industrial activity and an important part of the industrial corridor bridging the Midwest and the Northeast—Adams’ clients readily followed him to this now seemingly removed location. Adams designed, styled, and streamlined everything from toilets to tractors to the SkyWay Drive-In, all while raising prize chickens, four children and living the life of a country gentleman. Alexa D. Potter, curator of Styled by Adams, places Adams in his rightful role as a major figure in early American industrial design.[Source: Erie Art Museum website]

Those were the days of American ingenuity. I say that such ingenuity is coming back. I see it in the digital/internet/computer technology that is happening. I also see in the the cars that are being produced, regaining the field from the Far East.


Looking through a window in the museum


A small alley between the museum's buildings


The museum's cafe, looking out into a courtyard. The trees are pruned maples.


Leaving... (Taken from my bus)

The fresh lake air was a relief after those hours in the bus. And the view was lovely. I bought a Subway sandwich from a pleasant store, and had it on the bus later in the evening.

[Photos By: KPA]
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My Hotel in the Woods and at the Mountain Foothils

This is the lovely Best Western where I stayed during my time in Steubenville. The campus is directly behind (walking distance) the hotel - the path is visible in the middle photograph.

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Posted By Kidit P. Asrat
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Back to Canada

[Photo By: KPA]

This was at the last vestiges of my trip from Franciscan University's The Power of Beauty conference. I'm getting into Canada. We're at customs. It is probably around 7 or 8pm, on Sunday, October 26. I've been on the road for about twelve hours.

I took this shot from my seat in the Greyhound bus. The Maple Leaf and the Crescent.

It was strangely appropriate.

We have to reclaim the beautiful crescent moon. I have reclaimed it!
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Franciscan University of Steubenville

[Photo By: KPA]

The road going uphill (behind the university sign) is Franciscan Way, and leads to the university.

Up front are probably the Utica Cliffs, with what looks like exposed shale.

(More on this, and more photos on the conference The Power of Beauty, soon.)
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Posted By: Kidist Paulos Asrat
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The Power of Beauty Conference: Reclaiming Beauty (Update)

An adviser said it wasn't a good idea to post the progress of my speech's development for The Power of Beauty conference in the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He said it would take away the element of surprise.

I agree!

I've removed the "transcript" and will post the conference proceedings, or any video that might be available, after the conference.

Here is the conference program.

I am presenting on Saturday, October 25, at 10:40 am, Session A. I have been asked to prepare a 25 minute talk, and will have about 15 minutes for questions. I present with Dr. Linus Meldrum who is assistant professor of Fine Arts at the university.
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Dvorak: Symphony No.8 in G major, Op.88 I, Allegro con brio

Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No.8 in G major, Op.88
Movement I. Allegro con brio
Conducted By: Herbert von Karajan
August 15, 1974
Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg

The symphony is in four movements:

- Allegro con brio (G major) [which is posted here]
- Adagio (C minor)
- Allegretto grazioso – Molto vivace (G minor)
- Allegro ma non troppo (G major)

The work is scored for 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes (1st doubling English horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings.
The orchestration of piccolo and English Horn is unusual in this symphony. The piccolo only sustains a long note in unison with the flute at the exposition of the 1st movement and the English Horn only plays a short, but exposed phrase during the second recapitulation of the main "bird call" theme, also in the 1st movement. In some editions the 2nd oboe doubles on English horn rather than the 1st oboe as indicated in most scores.
A typical performance of the Eighth lasts about 36 minutes, making it one of Dvořák's shorter symphonies.

[Source: Wikipedia]

More detail on the composition here.

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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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Fall Red

[Photo Triptych By: Kidist P. Asrat]

I didn't get to post on Thanksgiving (Monday), so Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians!

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Flute Sonata

Jean Baptiste Loeillet
Sonata in A Minor Op.1 No.1, 1. Largo
Performed by: Ion Bogdan Stefanescu - Flute
With Costin Soare - Guitar

Little is known about Jean Baptiste Loeillet de Gant’s life, but his solo recorder sonatas have retained their popularity from their origins in the Baroque period to the present day. Strongly influenced by the violin sonatas of Corelli, these pieces combine Italian and French characteristics to create expressive and virtuoso chamber music of the greatest elegance and finesse. Daniel Rothert brings his “warm, refined tone” (American Record Guide) to a selection of the best sonatas from Opp. I–IV [Source: Naxos.com]

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Cathedral Forest

This is a post from October 2010, at Camera Lucida.



[Photos By: KPA]

Here are two almost identical shots of fall trees that I took in High Park, Toronto's largest park - which is more of a wood/forest - several years ago. I developed and printed them myself, and kept both as pieces with passing grades. It takes tens of trials to get the saturation and color level "just" right - often I have to come back another day in order to get a fresh perspective, and not continue printing without much of a difference.

I like the top photo because the "end" is clear - a burst of trees in focus with shimmering golden lights. The bottom one, in my view, shows a more elusive path. The trees in the back are slightly out of focus yet the glow of the light is more intense, which is what draws one further into the image.

In the top photograph, the path to the trees is less clear (not focused) while the bottom photograph has a clear path, also bathed with the light of the sun.

The photos were taken in late afternoon, when the light from the sun was muted.

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"Never Give Up"

Visit Jewish.TV for more Jewish videos.

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"Preserving this West"

Here is an email I sent to Larry Auster, while he was ill:

Larry,

As someone who grew up in the West, yet who comes from a non-Western background, you have helped me so much in remaining calm and confident when all those around me were ready and happy to knock down this wonderful and beautiful civilization.

I now continue in preserving this West from these alien, destructive forces.

Here is a Mozart piano sonata, which I hope you will enjoy listening to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4RZiaBlkodE#at=375

(If this doesn't open, you can listen to it here.)

Kidist

[Note: the youtube page has been discontinued, but the Sonatas can be listened to here]

2017: More notes: The most recently accessible Youtube collection is here
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Stigmatized and Unrecongized

I would have thought that this pretty little girl would be the perfect addition to this contra-cililzation "couple."

Two lesbians got a sperm from a bank in Chicago, and it ended up that it was of a black man's. The little girl that was born is a mixed-race girl. She looks cute and bubbly. Who wouldn't want a girl like that, even by mistake?

Well, these lesbians are suing the sperm bank for "wrongful birth and breach of warranty."

Their argument is:

Jennifer [Mommy 1] lives each day with fears, anxieties and uncertainty about her future and Payton’s future.

For example:

...getting a young daughter’s hair cut is not particularly stressful for most mothers, but to Jennifer it is not a routine matter, because Payton has hair typical of an African American girl. To get a decent cut, Jennifer must travel to a black neighborhood, far from where she lives, where she is obviously different in appearance, and not overtly welcome.

And this big fear by Mommy 1:

One of Jennifer’s biggest fears is the life experiences Payton will undergo, not only in her all-white community, but in her all-white, and often unconsciously insensitive, family. Despite her family’s attempts to accept her homosexuality, they have not been capable of truly embracing Jennifer for who she is. They do not converse with her about her gender preference, and encourage her not to “look different,” signaling their disapproval of her lesbianism. Though compelled to repress her individuality amongst family members, Payton’s differences are irrepressible, and Jennifer does not want Payton to feel stigmatized or unrecognized…

"Stigmatized or unrecongized" as a black girl?

What this weird women wanted is their own "creation" of a baby.

This would make a great Saturday Night Live skit.

Lesbians Decide What Kind of Sperm They Want.

Mommy 1: He shouldn't be too macho. You know the problem with macho men.
Mommy 2: Yes, and he should look something like us.
Mommy 1: You mean he should be white? I don't think so. I mean, we would know how to bring up a child who is stigmatized or unrecongnized. Plus, the more different we are, the less stigmatizing and unrecongizing the world would be, and then we would all fit in.
Mommy 2: I don't want our child to be an experiment gone wrong.
Mommy 1: Well, yes. OK, I see your point. Maybe next time, when the world is ready for her.
Mommy 2: And when I'm more ready too. You were always more progressive than me.

All jokes aside, these are nasty, inhuman creatures, who have no reverence for life.
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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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Over the Mountains

Travel through New York State
[Photos By KPA]

Here are photographs of my very first trip by bus through New York State in September 2009, going to New York City to attend an event organized by the International Free Press Society. It was also the first time I met Larry Auster after a long correspondence by email, where I became part of the View From the Right website group.

I hope, five years after my first bus trip into the US, which became almost a yearly (sometimes twice-a-year) event, my next trip will channel all those meetings, discussions, dinners and visits as I present my paper Reclaiming Beauty: Winning Back Our Western Civilization at The Power of Beauty conference in Steubenville's Franciscan University in Ohio.

I am sure the scenery will be just as lovely.

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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat
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